Certified Texas Economic Developer (CTED) Program / Texas EDC

ABOUT THE CERTIFIED TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPER (CTED) PROGRAM

Texas’ first and only professional certification for economic development.

The Texas Economic Development Council and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service have partnered to create the Certified Texas Economic Developer Certification Program. The CTED is the highest distinction of knowledge and credibility for Texas-based economic development practitioners. It is an expert-led, peer-driven certification program for active economic development professionals with curriculum tailor-made and unique to Texas.

Consider becoming a Certified Texas Economic Developer to take your career to the next level and be recognized as the one of the best economic developers in Texas! Requirements for eligibility apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a TEDC PROFESSIONAL member in good standing
Has successfully completed the Basic Economic Development Course accredited by the International Economic Development Council. If the applicant completed the BEDC outside of Texas, then a minimum of ten consecutive years of experience in economic development in Texas is required.
Has attended an Economic Development Sales Tax Workshop within the past two years
Is currently (or has been) a full time, paid economic development practitioner for three consecutive years in Texas with a qualified organization

Course Curriculum

The CTED Program includes eight course modules. All eight modules must be completed to be eligible to be a Certified Texas Economic Developer. Course modules 1-7 can be taken in any order, therefore, a program participant can complete the courses as they are offered and not in chronological order.

Leadership and Professionalism
Strategic Planning
Innovative Strategies for Business Retention & Expansion
Advanced Real Estate Development & Reuse
Innovation and Entrepreneurial Strategies
Talent Ecosystem and Workforce Development
Advanced Economic Development Finance
Project/Group Exercise (this module must be taken last - the other seven course modules must be completed before being eligible for the Project/Group Exercise (module 8)).

Other Important Information

There is a non-refundable $150 application fee to apply for this certification program.
Applications and program enrollment is managed by the TEDC.
Course module registration is managed by Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
All courses will be hosted onsite at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service facilities in College Station, Texas.
Travel costs to attend the courses are at the participant's expense and are not included in the course module fee.
Class-size is limited.
Course module fees may vary. (Fee per course range between $900-$1,100 and are subject to change)
Course hours per module will range between 8 to 12 hours.
Course dates will be published on this page as they are scheduled.

Complete the CTED application and submit to Amy Swank amy@texasedc.org along with your resume to be considered for this program. An application fee of $150 applies and is non-refundable. Please review the eligibility requirements before submitting the application along with your resume.

Download CTED Application

Application for the Certified Texas Economic Developer

Course Dates and Location

Leadership and Professionalism
July 15, 2025 (8 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Advanced Strategic Planning
July 16-17, 2025 (12 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Innovative Strategies for Business Retention
Sept. 9, 2025 (8 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Advanced Real Estate Development & Reuse
Sept. 10-11, 2025 (12 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Innovation & Entrepreneurial Strategies
November 12, 2025 (8 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Talent Ecosystem and Workforce Development
November 13, 2025 (8 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Advanced Economic Development Finance
March 24-25, 2026 (12 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Group Project
March 25-26, 2026 (12 hour course module)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) Headquarters, 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845

Consider becoming a Certified Texas Economic Developer to take your career to the next level and be recognized as the one of the best economic developers in Texas!

This program is tailored to Texas economic development and will provide the participant with a high-level of economic development principles, theory and practice in order to better lead and support Texas economic development organizations and build thriving communities across the state.

Certified Texas Economic Developers (CTED)

The following individuals have completed the requirements of the CTED program and have earned their CTED designation.

Shani Bradshaw, City of Sanger
Drew Brassfield, City of Amarillo
Jodi Carr, City of Ingleside
Stacy Crossley, City of Canton
Susan Gill, Lindale Economic Development Corporation
Jason Greiner, Wylie Economic Development Corporation
Diane Lemmons, The Colony Economic Development Corporation
Amy Mueller
Jeff Sandford, Stephenville Economic Development Authority
Rachel Steele, City of Magnolia
Christophe Trahan, Palestine Economic Development Corporation
Victoria Vargas, City of Kyle

Click here to learn what recent graduates of the CTED program are saying about it

CTED Press Release

The Certified Texas Economic Developer (CTED) Program is a partnership between the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).