Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 20, 2010
The number 2,000 means a lot to Laurence Larose, executive director of The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). To start, the Year 2000 is when the IAPDA started training and certifying debt settlement professionals. And recently, the IAPDAs roster of debt settlement professionals passed 2,000 active members.
Passing 2,000 members is a definite milestone said Larose When we started, 20 members was significant. Then 200. Then 500 and now weve hit 2,000, which really lends credence to our certification program.
IAPDA offers training and certification in consumer Debt Settlement and Arbitration, which affords individuals the opportunity to become a Certified Debt Specialist (CDS). The CDS designation means the individual has undergone thorough training in settling a consumers debt, which, as Larose points out, is much different than simply a managed payment plan or bankruptcy: We certify people to settle a consumers debt with their creditors, oftentimes saving them 50-70% of the total owed said Larose. For millions of people, this is by far the best option available. Thats why reaching 2,000 members is important to us it lets consumers know that when they have an IAPDA-certified CDS working with them, they have a professional specifically trained in debt settlement.
One of the reasons for the popularity of the debt settlement certification program is the diverse manner in which it is offered. To begin, the program is completely online, allowing anyone, anywhere to participate. Individuals can become certified and start their own debt settlement business, or, conversely, a company can have all of their associates certified.
But regardless if its an individual or a company seeking the training, certification is becoming increasingly important. As consumer debt increases, companies looking to help consumers cope also increase. To separate the wheat from the chaff, recognized certification becomes an important distinction.
Several states have recently enacted debt settlement legislation, according to Larose. Colorado became the first state to officially declare our CDS certification as one of the few that will be allowed to practice debt settlement within their state lines. Delaware, Utah and Maine have since joined Colorado and we expect many other states to follow suit. Well continue to work with all of the states to ensure that our 2,000-plus member base has every advantage in performing their professional craft.
To learn more about IAPDA and their debt settlement certification program, visit them online at http://www.iapda.org
About IADPA
The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IADPA) is the debt settlement industrys leading certification training program. In existance since 2000, they have an active membership that exceeds 2,000 members, and offer online-based training to both individuals seeking certification, and companies that want certification for their employees. You can visit them online at http://www.iapda.org.