DISC assessment certification: What’s included

A DISC personality test is a tool you can use to evaluate candidates' behavioral traits and communication styles. It categorizes individuals into either one of four main personality styles – Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness – or a combination of two styles. By providing insights into how individuals interact with others, make decisions, and approach tasks, the test enables you to identify candidates well-suited for specific roles.

You can also take things further and complete a DISC assessment certification. In this article, we discuss the potential benefits of becoming DISC certified and what the courses involve so you can decide if it's right for you.

Why get a DISC certification?

DISC assessment certification is a course designed to help you better understand DISC testing and DISC styles. Many providers offer DISC certifications, including Wiley’s Everything DISC, DISC Profile, and Strengthscape.

There are several benefits to becoming DISC certified. These include:

• A stronger understanding of DISC styles. A certification course will give you a deeper understanding of the DISC model and behavioral styles developed by William Moulton Marston. This understanding enables you to interpret DISC assessment results better, which can help you make more informed hiring decisions.

• Ability to provide tailored feedback. You’ll be able to give personalized feedback to candidates and team members based on their DISC styles. This information can be invaluable in team building and managing conflict.

• Boosted credibility and professionalism. A DISC certification can demonstrate your commitment to professional development and expertise in the field. Showcasing your dedication to staying current with industry best practices can build your credibility among colleagues, clients, and employers.

• More effective training and coaching. With a better understanding of the DISC model, you can design and deliver more impactful training sessions and coaching programs tailored to each personality type.

• Better communication. With a thorough knowledge of DISC, you can adapt your communication style to work more effectively with different personalities. You’ll learn to adjust your communication to resonate with others, fostering better relationships, teamwork, and collaboration.

Is DISC certification a requirement?

DISC certification is valuable, but you don’t need to be certified to use DISC assessments in your organization. Completing a certification signifies knowledge and proficiency in DISC styles and research.

With a DISC certification, you can also better leverage the benefits of DISC personality tests. These tests provide a deep insight into each candidate’s behavioral type, best traits, and main challenges. Understanding this information inside and out enables you to make even better, more data-backed hiring decisions.

Plus, you’ll be able to use your deep knowledge of DISC styles in the workplace, coming up with better ways to motivate and work with the various personalities of your team.

What do you learn during DISC certification?

Completing a DISC assessment certification is an engaging learning experience that makes you skilled at interpreting DISC styles. 

Each DISC assessment certification course is different, but here’s a peek at what you’ll likely learn during your DISC certification:

• DISC theory. Learn the ins and outs of the DISC model and what each of the main DISC styles and combinations represents.

• Profile interpretation. Discover how to interpret DISC styles. This knowledge will help you understand what DISC personality test results mean in practical terms.

• Application of DISC. Learn how to apply DISC knowledge to real-life situations. This includes using DISC styles to shape team-building, inform conflict resolution, drive personal development, improve communication, and more. 

In short, the certification course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to effectively apply and interpret DISC in your organization.

What do you get with DISC certification?

The specifics vary between providers. 

For example, with the Everything DISC Certification program from DISCprofile.com, you’ll receive an Everything DISC on Catalyst Facilitation Kit. This includes interactive learning materials and a guide on using the Catalyst online learning platform. You’ll also get an Administrator Account with Wiley’s Electronic Profile Information Center (EPIC) platform and 30 EPIC Credits. 

In addition, you’ll participate in two-hour collaborative sessions twice per week and receive the credential “Everything DISC Certified Practitioner” after completing the course. You’ll also have access to Wiley’s online training center after completion. 

Here are some common elements you can expect in your DISC certification course:

• Training materials. These often include a facilitation kit with comprehensive guides and handouts to aid your learning.

• Online learning sessions. Most providers offer instructor-led webinars or online classes as part of the certification. Expect to spend approximately 20 hours over two weeks in classes.

• Final exam. You’ll typically need to pass a final exam to earn your certification. The course should equip you with everything you need to succeed.

• Certificate. Upon passing your final exam, you’ll get a certificate that shows you’re DISC certified. This demonstrates that you fully understand DISC and can apply it in the workplace. It can be a great addition to your resume, too. 

• Access to a training center. Some providers offer continued access to their online training center even after completing your certification. It can be a handy resource for ongoing learning.

Can you get DISC certification online?

Yes, you absolutely can. Online DISC certification is both convenient and accessible. 

Some well-known providers of online DISC certification include:

• Center for Internal Change. This company is a partner of the global publishing company Wiley, which owns Everything DISC, a specific brand of DISC assessments. Center for Internal Change offers certification in Everything DISC assessment. The course is delivered over two weeks, with four two-hour live video conferencing sessions. It costs $2,995 per person, and upon completion, you’ll earn the title of “Everything DISC Certified Practitioner.”

• DISCprofile.com. With this online certification course, you’ll become an “Everything DISC Certified Practitioner.” You complete the course over two weeks, with around 20 hours of individual and facilitated learning. There are two 120-minute instructor-led sessions per week via Zoom, and the course culminates in a final exam. The price is $3,795 per person, and the course is limited to 20 participants.

• DISCinsights by PeopleKeys. The Certified Behavioral Consultant (CBC) course from DISCinsights is a self-study bundle that includes two online training courses on DISC. The courses cover the fundamentals of DISC theory, how to apply DISC in the workplace, and how to interpret DISC assessment results. You can learn at your own pace through video content, slides, downloadable resources, and workbooks. The course costs $995 per person, and you’ll receive a PeopleKeys “Certified Behavioural Consultant” certificate.

• Discus. This company offers an online DISC certification emphasizing practical application, teaching you how to use DISC styles in different settings. The course is delivered over four sessions that include three hours of video training materials. Each course unit has interactive exercises and notes in PDF format. Upon competition, you’ll get a downloadable Discus Course Certificate. At around $380 per person, it’s a comparatively less expensive way to get a DISC certificate.

Which online certification is right for you?

The “Everything DISC Certified Practitioner” program offered by the Center for Internal Change and DISCprofile.com is comprehensive and includes many extra online learning materials. DISCinsights by PeopleKeys offers flexibility, as you can complete the course at your own pace, so it’s ideal for those with busy schedules. And Discus focuses on the practical application of DISC, which can be beneficial if you want to apply the knowledge directly in your workplace.

There are many other DISC certification providers, too. When selecting a DISC certification course, consider factors such as cost, course schedule, and the reputation of the training provider. You should also ensure the course content covers all the essential topics related to the DISC model and how to use it in the workplace.

How certification can help you understand TestGorilla’s DISC Personality test results

TestGorilla's DISC Personality test enables you to determine your prospective hires’ and current employees’ behavioral preferences and personality types based on the DISC model. 

It works by presenting test-takers with 48 questions they’ll answer based on how accurate they feel each statement is. Answers will range from 1 (“very inaccurate”) to 5 (“very accurate”) and determine which behavior types from the DISC model each individual leans towards.

They’ll either be one of the main DISC types – Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C) – or a blend of two. The 12 possibilities are:

• High Dominant (D)

• Dominant/Influential (DI)

• Dominant/Conscientious (DC)

• High Influential (I)

• Influential/Dominant (ID)

• Influential/Steady (IS)

• High Steady (S)

• Steady/Influential (SI)

• Steady/Conscientious (SC)

• High Conscientious (C)

• Conscientious/Steady (CS)

• Conscientious/Dominant (CD)

You receive a report on your test-takers that includes a basic description of their behavior type, information on how they might act in personal and work situations, their strengths and potential weaknesses, and tips on working well with them.

By getting a DISC assessment certification, you can better understand the DISC model and TestGorilla’s DISC Personality test results. 

Certification programs help you learn more about the ideas and research behind the DISC model, as well as each personality type and how they work with one another. This helps you understand better how people's behaviors can change across the DISC styles and how this affects their actions and choices.

DISC assessment certification also teaches you how to interpret the information in test reports and give helpful feedback to individuals and teams based on their results.

Lastly, certification often includes learning how to lead conversations and workshops based on DISC results. This can be really helpful when you need to explain DISC results to others, create team-building activities, or coach individuals on their personal growth.

So, even though you don't need a certification to use TestGorilla's DISC Personality test, getting a DISC assessment certification can give you a deeper understanding of the DISC model and help you better interpret the results of a DISC assessment.

DISC assessment certification FAQs

What does DISC stand for?

DISC stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. These are the four primary behavioral traits that the DISC model, developed by William Moulton Marston, identifies and measures in individuals.

How long does it take to become DISC certified?

Getting DISC certified generally takes around two weeks. A typical DISC certification program includes around 20 hours of individual and facilitated learning.

Does DISC certification expire?

No, DISC certification doesn’t expire. Once you’ve completed your certification, you’re DISC certified for life.

Conclusion

While not required to use DISC assessments, becoming DISC certified enables you to analyze and comprehend DISC assessment results accurately. 

This means you can make more informed decisions about hiring and improving your team's communication, collaboration, teamwork, conflict resolution, and more. You'll also be able to deliver more effective training and coaching to individuals as you better understand what works and what doesn't with each DISC personality type. 

To begin evaluating candidates and employees using DISC personality tests, sign up for your free TestGorilla plan today.