The Applied Data Governance Practitioner (ADGP) Certification equips you to align data governance frameworks, practices, and processes with your company’s strategic objectives, promoting business growth, operational agility, and ongoing improvements. The program ensures you stay current with today’s data governance standards and techniques. It’s a practical certification designed to help professionals navigate the complex and ever-changing demands of modern data governance. 

Ready to get certified? Click to Download the Full Program Summary

How the Certification Works

Validate your experience. Lead with confidence.

The ADGP Certification is structured to give you both flexibility and credibility. You’ll earn your credential by passing a rigorous, real-world exam based on the Applied Data Governance Body of Knowledge. To help you prepare, and deepen your expertise, you can also complete a series of self-paced micro-credentials focused on core governance skills. Whether you follow the full learning path or jump straight to the exam, this certification is built to fit your schedule and professional goals.

Step 1: Prepare with the Micro-Credentials 

• Three self-paced, on-demand micro-credentials (8–10 hours each)
• Focused on governance foundations, business drivers, and applied data governance practice
• Includes hands-on examples, real-world scenarios, and final assessments
• Earn a Certificate of Completion and CEUs for each
• Complete individually or as part of your full certification education program

These micro-credentials can be completed as standalone credentials or as preparation for the certification exam. While not required, they are an excellent starting point for those preparing for the ADGP Certification or looking to strengthen their data governance expertise.

Step 2: Pass the Certification Exam 

• 100-question multiple-choice exam (online, 2 hours)
• Based on the Applied Data Governance Body of Knowledge
• Tests knowledge, skills, and applied competencies
• Psychometrically validated for fairness and reliability
• Earn the ADGP designation — a recognized professional credential
• You must get a 70% or higher to pass the exam

Prove your skills with a comprehensive, application-focused exam. The ADGP Certification Exam assesses your knowledge, practical understanding, and ability to apply governance principles in real-world scenarios, earning you a credential that stands out in today’s data-driven industry. 

• Full Program CEUs: 42
• Included in price:
  • All three Micro-Credentials
  • Applied Data Governance Practitioner Certification Exam
  • Applied Data Governance Body of Knowledge (digital download)
• We offer several bulk licensing options for corporate and group use.
• Contact us for a follow-up discussion!

Why Choose the ADGP Certification?

Earn a credential that proves your expertise — and equips you to deliver measurable business impact.

Data governance is no longer a niche function, it’s a strategic imperative for organizations navigating privacy, compliance, and data-driven decision-making. The ADGP Certification helps you stand out as a leader who can turn governance concepts into actionable results. With a practical focus and global recognition, this program gives you the skills, insights, and credibility to advance your career and drive meaningful change in your organization. 

• Validate Your Expertise: Showcase your practical skills with a globally recognized credential.
• Lead Data Governance Initiatives: Be the driver of privacy, ethics, quality, and strategic alignment in your organization.
• Solve Real Governance Challenges: Apply proven strategies to influence decisions and manage governance complexity.
• Advance Your Career: Stand out in a competitive field and open doors to new leadership opportunities.
• Stay Current: Keep pace with evolving governance standards and industry best practices.

Ready to get certified? Click to Download the Full Program Summary

Is This Certification Right for You or Your Team?

If you influence, manage, or support data-driven initiatives, this certification is for you.

If you work with data or lead teams that do, the ADGP Certification can help you validate your skills and elevate your impact. Designed for a wide range of roles, from data stewards to business executives, with our educational component, this program supports both seasoned professionals and those stepping into governance for the first time. Whether you’re managing data projects, working with data catalogs, or driving strategic initiatives, the ADGP helps you build the knowledge and confidence to lead.

This program is ideal for: 

• Data governance professionals and leaders
• Data stewards and data quality experts
• IT, security, and risk management professionals
• Data architects, engineers, and modelers
• Data analysts, scientists, and bi practitioners
• Chief data officers, executives, and project managers
• Aspiring data professionals ready to grow

By the end of the ADGP Education Program, you’ll be able to: 

• Define data governance and explain its strategic purpose in driving business value, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Align data governance initiatives with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and risk management strategies.
• Build and operationalize governance frameworks, policies, principles, and operating models tailored to your organization’s context.
• Develop ethical, transparent, and accountable governance practices that promote data integrity, security, and responsible use.
• Implement governance-supported data management processes — including data quality, metadata management, stewardship, and privacy compliance.
• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts, fostering communication, trust, and buy-in across business units and technical teams.
• Design governance change management strategies, measure adoption, and sustain long-term engagement.
• Apply project and program management best practices to plan, launch, and scale governance initiatives.
• Evaluate, select, and implement data governance tools that support interoperability, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Embed data governance into enterprise data initiatives such as analytics, system migrations, master data management, and digital transformation efforts.
• Monitor and report on governance performance, demonstrating ROI and business impact with clear metrics and outcomes.
• Proactively assess, mitigate, and manage data-related risks throughout the data lifecycle.
• Launch or revitalize data governance programs using proven frameworks for leadership engagement, stakeholder alignment, and sustainable adoption.

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DATAVERSITY® is a globally respected leader in data governance education, known for delivering trusted training, influential conferences, and deep industry insights.

PowerED™ by Athabasca University (AU) is a leader in flexible, on-demand learning, backed by AU’s legacy as a global innovator in digital education.

Industry insight meets academic excellence, giving you a certification experience that’s relevant, respected, and results-driven.

Your ADGP Learning Path: Explore the Micro-Credentials

The Applied Data Governance Practitioner Certification Program offers three educational micro-credentials that build your expertise step by step — from understanding the business value of governance to applying frameworks in practice. Each micro-credential includes targeted modules, practical tools, and real-world examples designed to help you translate theory into action. Complete them as standalone courses or combine them as part of your certification preparation journey — the choice is yours.

Micro-Credential One: Business Imperatives for Data Governance

Learn how governance drives business value, ensures compliance, and fosters accountability. Case studies, tools, and frameworks help translate certification knowledge into actionable impact.

Modules:

1. Business Drivers for Data Governance
2. Ethics and Responsible Data Governance 
3. Data Privacy, Security, and Compliance  
4. Stakeholder Communication, Commitment, and Engagement 
5. Measuring Data Governance ROI & Business Value 
6. Change Management in Data Governance 

Micro-Credential Two: Data Governance Foundations

Master foundational governance concepts, frameworks, and principles. Gain tools to operationalize governance across the data lifecycle — bringing theory into action.

Modules:

1. Data Governance Conceptual Framework 
2. Data Quality and Its Role in Governance 
3. Metadata Management and Governance 
4. Data Governance Toolkit 
5. Data Governance Supporting Data Initiatives 
6. Data Governance Principles, Policies, and Standards 

Micro-Credential Three: Data Governance in Practice

Build the skills to implement and scale governance programs. Learn stewardship, risk management, and program execution techniques that bridge strategy and daily operations.

Modules:

1. Frameworks and Organizational Structures for Data Governance 
2. Foundations of Data Stewardship 
3. Data Governance Program Management 
4. Data Governance Project Management 
5. Implementing or Revitalizing a Data Governance Program 
6. Risk Management and Data Governance 

We offer several bulk licensing options for corporate and group use.
Contact us for a follow-up discussion!