The CPD Directory: Connecting Communities with Qualified CPTED Professionals
By Joelle Hushen – President and CEO
In communities across the country, organizations are increasingly looking for credible experts who can help design safer spaces, strengthen public safety, and reduce crime through thoughtful planning. The Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Professional Designation (CPD) was developed by the National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP) to ensure that those professionals are both qualified and accountable.
To make it easier for agencies, planners, and community leaders to find them, NICP created the CPD Directory — a searchable database of certified CPTED professionals who have successfully completed the CPD program and maintained their credentials through continuing education and renewal.
Why the CPD Directory Matters
The CPD Directory isn’t just a list of names — it’s a trusted resource for quality assurance. Every practitioner featured has completed NICP’s rigorous training process and earned the CPTED Professional Designation, confirming both their understanding of CPTED principles and their commitment to ethical, effective practice.
CPTED is most successful when it’s applied by individuals who understand not only the four core principles — natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance — but also the supporting design elements that make those principles work in the real world, such as lighting, wayfinding, landscaping, social management, and pedestrian scale.
By consulting the CPD Directory, communities can confidently connect with practitioners who bring a proven foundation in CPTED theory and experience applying those concepts in the field.
Who Uses the CPD Directory
The Directory is designed to serve a broad range of audiences:
- Design Professionals looking to incorporate CPTED into urban design, zoning, and redevelopment.
- Schools and universities strengthening safety through environmental design and policy integration.
- Hospitals and health campuses addressing both safety and well-being through environmental cues.
- Housing authorities and nonprofits improving livability, trust, and sense of ownership in shared spaces.
- Private sector partners — from developers to security consultants — who recognize CPTED’s value as a proactive safety and risk-reduction tool.
Wherever safety and design intersect, the CPD Directory helps decision-makers find the right professional for the job.
How It Works
The CPD Directory is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate:
- Search by region or keyword.
Filter by location, sector, or specialty area to identify certified professionals near you. - Review practitioner profiles.
Each listing includes contact information and a summary of CPTED experience, helping users select a practitioner whose background aligns with their project goals. - Connect directly.
Once you find a match, you can reach out to discuss your project, scope, and next steps.
For Practitioners
If you hold an active CPTED Professional Designation (CPD), make sure your profile in the Directory reflects your current experience, projects, and credentials.
Updating your listing helps agencies and organizations find you faster — and ensures that your expertise is visible to those seeking qualified professionals in your area.
Not yet listed? If your CPD certification is active and current, you can create your profile from your NICP dashboard on TheNICP.com. If you need assistance setting up your dashboard of profile please contact support@thenicp.com.
Why Verification Matters
As CPTED becomes more widely recognized and referenced in a range of professions, the CPD Directory ensures that those offering CPTED services meet a consistent, verified standard of knowledge and practice.
- Completed NICP’s Basic & Advanced CPTED courses for a full 64 Hours of CPTED training
- Earned and maintained the CPTED Professional Designation (CPD).
- Fulfilled continuing education and renewal requirements to remain in good standing.
That means every practitioner you find in the CPD Directory represents not just CPTED knowledge — but verified, accountable practice that aligns with NICP’s standards of quality and integrity.
Find A CPTED Professional or View/Update Your Listing
Whether you’re searching for a trusted CPTED professional or maintaining your own certification visibility, the Directory is your go-to resource for connecting expertise with opportunity.
About the CPD Program
The CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) program by NICP is the only structured credential designed specifically for CPTED practitioners. It sets a professional standard for those applying CPTED in design, planning, law enforcement, education, and security. The CPD is valid for four years and includes ongoing renewal requirements to ensure practitioners stay current with evolving best practices and community applications.
Joelle Hushen – President and CEO
Joelle Hushen, as the Executive Director of the NICP, Inc., is responsible for course curriculum, standards, and evaluation. This includes the development and maintenance of the NICP’s CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) program, which has become the recognized standard for CPTED professionals. As part of the CPD program Joelle designed the CPTED Review, Exam, & Assessment Course and is the lead instructor.
Joelle has a background in education and research with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida. She has completed the Basic, Advanced, and Specialized CPTED topics, and holds the NICP, Inc.’s CPTED Professional Designation. Joelle is a member of the University of South Florida Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors, and the Florida Design Out Crime Association (FLDOCA).
Ready to Earn Your CPTED Certification?
Take the next step toward becoming a CPTED professional. Our in-person and online training options will prepare you to assess environments, apply proven CPTED strategies, and earn your CPD designation. Learn how to design safer, more livable spaces that strengthen communities and reduce crime before it happens.
