About the IAPDA

A Long History - Over a decade of service to the Consumer Debt Relief Industry!

• The IAPDA was formed in the year 2000 to provide the new and fledgling debt settlement industry with a fully online training and certification program for individuals providing debt settlement services to consumer clients - Arbitrain Training Systems.
• Since 2000 the IAPDA certification training program has provided companies of all sizes the necessary industry orientation and training needed for company customer service staff and debt consultants, certifying individuals who successfully complete the certification program.
• The IAPDA certification training course materials have been updated and expanded many times over the years, more than doubling in size from the original course size.
• A major update to the certification training course materials occured in April 2008 with the first state government UDMSA approval - Colorado - updates and expansion of course materials continues to this day as the debt relief industry evolves.
• All states with UDMSA legislation have approved the IAPDA certification training program.
• IAPDA Membership numbers have grown rapidly and steadily since formation in 2000 to a current membership of over 3000 individuals, demonstrating the debt relief industry's recognition and endorsement of IAPDA training and certification programs.
• The IAPDA has been involved for over a decade in all phases of development of the debt industry - and we will continue to be involved in the exciting future of consumer debt relief.

The IAPDA Today - Completely consumer focused with total membership transparency of our 3000+ graduated members! Consumers can easily verify IAPDA membership and certification status with an online search by name, company and city.

Today the IAPDA offers members two certification training programs with two professional designations!

The IAPDA is North America’s leading debt settlement and credit counseling training and certification programs. In business since 2000, we’ve become the training gold standard for consumer debt relief professionals. To be trained and certified by the IAPDA tells everyone that you are a Certified Debt Specialist and Certified Credit Counseling Specialist, ready to help consumers who need it.

With our roots firmly in the debt settlement industry for over a decade we see that the entire debt relief industry is now evolving into to an industry which is much more consumer and solutions focused. We have also evolved by offering a complete debt relief education to our members and a second certification, with this additional training and certification IAPDA dual certified members are now able to professionally advise their consumer clients on all debt relief options available to them for solving overwhelming debt problems.

Our members with both Certified Debt Specialist (CDS) and Certified Credit Counseling Specialist (CCCS) designations (dual certifications) now have the professional knowledge and skills to advise clients and potential clients regarding all debt relief options available including: Debt Settlement, Credit Counseling, Debt Management Plans and Bankruptcy.

We’re also unique because we focus on individuals. We help entrepreneurs become trained and certified so they can start their own work-at-home business, and we also train individuals who work for (or want to work for) debt relief companies of all sizes. Plus, membership and future education are free – to be recognized as an IAPDA member is to be recognized as a professional debt relief specialist for life.

The closest analogy we can use is that of a Realtor®. You can train as a Realtor® and work for yourself, or as part of a real estate office. But either way, the Realtor® designation matters.

Why certification matters:

The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators IAPDA grew from the commitment of its members to the establishment and maintenance of the highest standards of ethics and professional conduct for members operating in the Debt Industry. The evolution of the services provided, and the rapid deployment of Internet and related technology, has meant that this sector of the market has grown in size and range of services. This Professional Third Party Debt relief sector now handles a much greater depth of services than at any other time in history.

A commitment to our Code of Ethics has helped to build the IAPDA to be a respected voice for the Consumer Debt Relief Industry in North America, and that voice is important to the Debt Relief profession. We provide a resource focused on ensuring fairness, equity, and professionalism in the conduct of our members, and are a point of contact for legislators and community/consumer interest groups and industry. This is why we’ve been recognized in states that limit practices (and why we will be recognized when others follow suit.)

IAPDA Certified Debt Specialists and Certified Credit Counseling Specialists are respected professionals in the Debt Relief Industry. Clients, creditors/collectors and collection attorneys all recognize the commitment of our members to training, certification and membership in the IAPDA. Leading Debt Relief professionals fully understand the value and the return received for their initial business investment in training, certification, and membership.

Our program is fully online, and you can learn at your own pace. Plus, membership is granted for life – IAPDA certifications are valid for two years with refresher training and 2 year re-certifications at only $60.00 per year afterwards.