IADE Certification

The International Association of Document Examiners (IADE) was established to provide training from basic training through continuing education to its professional members. IADE reviews and approves various educational and training programs and offers specific training where possible and supported. IADE is an open organization for law-abiding individuals seeking to enter the field of document examination or are already matriculating in an approved educational training program.

We award the designation of Certified Questioned Document Examiner to those members who meet our qualifications. Becoming a Certified Questioned Document Examiner is accomplished through rigorous education and testing. Candidates for certification must be active members of IADE and in good standing. A candidate applying for certification must have completed a course approved by IADE. Candidates will submit an application to the Certification Chairman and pay the required non-refundable application fee when the application for certification is submitted.

Certified Questioned Document Examiner

All IADE members are encouraged to become a Certified Questioned Document Examiner (CQDE).

Requirements for becoming a CQDE are as follows:

  1. Candidates for certification must be active members of IADE and in good standing.
  2. A candidate applying for certification must have completed a course approved by IADE. This requirement can be waived for a member who can prove a working history as a document examiner with a minimum of 10 years' experience and who has qualified as an expert in document examination in a court of law.
  3. Candidates must acquire a total number of points, as set by The Board of Directors, to be eligible to apply for certification.
  4. Candidates must submit an application to the Certification Chairman and pay the required non-refundable application fee when the application for certification is submitted.
  5. Candidates membership dues must be current.
  6. Candidates can take the test at the annual meeting or at a local college or university or from a certified member who acts as proctor or from an individual approved by the Board of Directors.

Upon the successful completion of the requirements, the candidate will be awarded the designation, Certified Questioned Document Examiner, and shall have the right to use that designation as well as the CQDE acronym following his/her name.

Suspension or Revocation of Certification

The Board of Directors may suspend or revoke the Certification Designation of a member if the member commits any one of the following:

  • Fails to pay annual dues as set forth in Section 5.03 of the Association By-laws or
  • Fails to meet the continuing education requirements as set forth in Section 5.06 or
  • Meets any of the grounds for suspension or revocation as set forth in Section 5.08.

When CQDE Certification is suspended or revoked, the member is prohibited from communicating (verbally or in writing) and advertising that he/she is a Certified Questioned Document Examiner through IADE and shall remove all references of IADE certification status from his/her website and promotional material. Member is prohibited from displaying his/her CQDE certificate. The suspension or revocation shall be published in the IADE Journal and Newsletter.

Conditions for re-instatement from the suspension of the Certification shall be provided to the suspended individual. There is no re-instatement from revocation.

Diplomate Status

An applicant for Diplomate status shall:

  1. Be a member in good standing with International Association of Document Examiners.
  2. Have been a Certified Document Examiner in good standing for two years prior to application.
  3. Submit an application to the Certification Chairman and pay the required non-refundable application fee when the application for Diplomate Status is submitted.
  4. Have been actively engaged as a professional document examiner for five years prior to application.
  5. Submit a current Curriculum Vitae
  6. Submit proof of ten document cases as specified in the Diplomate Application.
  7. Submit three professional references.

Upon the successful completion of the requirements, the candidate will be awarded the Diplomate status and shall have the right to use that designation as follows: Certified Questioned Document Examiner-Diplomate or CQDE-D acronym.

Suspension or Revocation of Diplomate Designation

The Board of Directors may suspend or revoke the Diplomate Designation of a member if the member commits any one of the following:

  • Fails to pay annual dues as set forth in Section 5.03 of the Association By-laws or
  • Fails to meet the continuing education requirements as set forth in Section 5.06 or
  • Meets any of the grounds for suspension or revocation as set forth in Section 5.08.

When the Diplomate status is suspended or revoked, the member is prohibited from communicating (verbally or in writing) and advertising that he/she is a Certified Questioned Document Examiner-Diplomate through IADE and shall remove all references of IADE certification and diplomate status from his/her website and promotional material. Member is prohibited from displaying his/her certification and diplomate certificate. The suspension or revocation shall be published in the IADE Journal and Newsletter.

Conditions for re-instatement from the suspension of the Certification shall be provided to the suspended individual. There is no re-instatement from revocation.

Certification Applications

Download the appropriate Application form (PDF) for Certification and follow instructions on the form for applying and making payment.

  1. Application for Certification
  2. Application for Diplomate

Pay Certification Fees Online

IADE uses PayPal to accept payments for dues and other fees.

From the drop down menu, please select the dues or fees that you would like to pay.

Dues and Fees

Dues are pro-rated semi-annually so that you pay a reduced price if joining after July 31.

If you have questions, please call Bill Smith, IADE Treasurer, at
407-923-6008 or email bill@cflde.com.