Recertification for the Missouri Certified Economic Developer (MoCED) credential, offered by the Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC), adopts a points-based continuing education model, drawing inspiration from national standards like the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) program—widely used in states such as Georgia, Colorado, Maryland, and others—and the Community Development Council's (CDC) Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) recertification process. These models emphasize ongoing professional growth through education, experience, and contributions to the field, without mandating re-examination, to ensure certified professionals remain current while reducing barriers to maintenance. For MoCED credentialed economic developers the re-certification process will occur every 5 years.
Key Principles
- No Exam Required: Recertification is based solely on accumulating and documenting points, mirroring IEDC and CDC models where exams are only for initial certification or lapsed credentials.
- Focus on Professional Growth: Emphasizes Missouri-specific relevance (e.g., MEDC events) while allowing credits from national and regional sources, similar to how North Carolina's NCCED integrates state training with capstone reviews.
- Equity and Accessibility: Points can be earned through affordable or no-cost activities, with options for experience-based credits.
- Verification: MEDC’s MoCED core team will review submissions annually.
Recertification Cycle
- Duration: Every 5 years.
- Minimum Points Required: 50 points over the 5-year cycle (equivalent to ~10 points/year).
- Submission Process: Submit an online application via the MEDC portal, including a resume update, activity log, and supporting documentation (e.g., certificates, agendas). Fee: $200.
MoCED designees who do not submit a complete recertification application, including documentation and fee, by the end of their five-year certification cycle (measured from the date of initial certification or most recent recertification) will forfeit their active MoCED status and must reapply and successfully complete the full MoCED certification examination process to regain the credential.
Points System
Points are categorized into four tiers, adapted from IEDC's model but tailored to Missouri's context. Activities must relate to economic development (e.g., business attraction, workforce strategies, community planning). Proper documentation required for all tiers. MEDC reserves the right to audit documentation.
Tier 1: Core Education
Examples of Qualifying Activities
Economic development-focused courses, institutes, or conferences delivered by MEDC, IEDC, SEDC, universities, or similar organizations. Examples include the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, Economic Development Institute, etc.
At least 3 hours of content required for partial-day events if not a full day.
Additional examples include:
- MEDC Basic Economic Development Course / Advanced EDC course
- IEDC Economic Development Institute (EDI) courses (e.g., Real Estate Development & Reuse, Economic Development Finance, Business Retention & Expansion)
- MEDC Annual Conference or regional MEDC training sessions
- University-based programs (e.g., University of Missouri Extension economic development courses, etc) - SEDC (Southern Economic Development Council) Annual Conference or courses
- DED-sponsored training (Missouri Department of Economic Development)
- National Development Council (NDC) or Community Development Council (CDC) courses (e.g., Economic Development Finance Professional certification coursework)
- Rural development or downtown revitalization institutes (e.g., Missouri Main Street trainings)
- Site selection or workforce development conferences with substantive economic development content
10 points per event, maximum of 30 points awarded
Tier 2: Applied Project Leadership
Examples of Qualifying Activities
Points awarded for projects worked on or completed in your community or region. These can be economic development, community development or workforce development projects. Special focus needs to be given on partnerships with key stakeholders. Projects must span at least 3 months and demonstrate measurable milestones or deliverables (e.g., completed plan, executed agreement, or program launch).
Additional examples include:
- Leading or co-leading a community or regional strategic economic development plan
- Managing a business attraction or retention/expansion (BRE) initiative resulting in a signed agreement or announced project
- Spearheading a downtown revitalization or Main Street redevelopment project
- Leading a workforce development partnership (e.g., employer-education alignment initiative, new training pipeline program)
- Managing a TIF, Chapter 100, or other incentive package from application through approval
- Coordinating a regional broadband, infrastructure, or site-readiness project
- Leading a comprehensive plan or land-use plan update tied to economic development goals
- Directing a grant-funded initiative (e.g., CDBG, EDA, USDA Rural Development) from application to close-out
- Launching a new local or regional economic development program (e.g., small business incubator, entrepreneur support program)
10 points per project, maximum 30 points awarded.
Tier 3: Professional Engagement
Examples of Applied learning through service or collaboration
Serve on MEDC committees, Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) task forces, or serve on the board of directors for other relevant organizations. Present at local/regional/state conferences (e.g., IEDC/SEDC/CDC events). Mentor emerging economic developers via MEDC programs (maximum of 5 points from mentoring).
Additional examples include:
- Serving on a MEDC standing committee or working grou
- Serving on a DED task force or advisory panel
- Board service for a chamber of commerce, regional planning commission, or workforce development board
- Presenting a session at an IEDC, SEDC, CDC, MEDC, or similar state/regional conference
- Serving as a panelist or guest speaker at a university or professional training event
- Peer reviewing IEDC CEcD applications or similar credentialing materials
- Mentoring an emerging economic developer through a formal MEDC mentoring program (max 5 points)
- Serving as an officer (chair, vice-chair, secretary) of a professional economic development organization chapter
5 points per activity, maximum 15 points awarded.
Tier 4: Self-Directed Growth
Examples of Qualifying Activities:
Complete online webinars (e.g., IEDC or Grow America series). Publish articles on Missouri economic issues (e.g., in MEDC newsletter).
Additional examples include:
- Completing IEDC or Grow America webinars
- Completing MEDC-hosted webinars on Missouri-specific topic
- Publishing an article in the MEDC newsletter or similar economic development publicatio
- Publishing a professional article or blog post analyzing a Missouri economic trend or issue
- Reading and submitting a brief reflection on a relevant book or major industry report (e.g., IEDC's annual State of Economic Development report)
- Completing a short online certificate course (e.g., grant writing, GIS for planners, data analysis for economic developers)
- Completing a self-paced course or podcast series on rural or regional economic trends
2 points per activity, maximum 10 points awarded.
Implementation Plan
- Launch Date: Effective June 1, 2026, for certifications expiring after that date.
- Tracking Tools: MEDC will develop a free online dashboard for logging points and documentation.
- Review process: MEDC will have someone create a program, utilizing AI to review, approve and recap all submissions. The MoCED Core Team will review the findings and give final stamp of approval.