Introducing the updated ILA Certification path:
Grow from Aspiring to Certified Director
In order to better support you in your development as a Director,
ILA has introduced an updated certification programme with defined steps.
Aspiring Director
If you join ILA with less than two years of board experience, you are considered an Aspiring Director. Your first step would be to take part in the dedicated ILA training programme for Aspiring Directors:
- The ILA Bootcamp provides you with an overview of the key roles, duties and responsibilities of Directors, as well as of the Luxembourg legal framework and governance environment.
- The ILA Mentoring Programme brings prospective Non-executive Directors (Mentees) together with experienced and respected company Directors (Mentors). These mentors will guide and advise mentees on developing their skills as directors and advancing their careers as NEDs.
- So you want to be a Director equips Directors with the knowledge they need to understand various issues related to how they structure and market themselves as Directors, including an overview of personal tax and related obligations.
- Improving personal impact in the Boardroom provides Directors with a communication toolkit of what to say, how to say it and when to say it in order to make incisive contributions to Board discussions and move the debate forward.
After successfully completing the
ILA Bootcamp and having two years
of experience as a Board member you will be eligible to register for
The Essentials Luxembourg training programme as of July 2025.
ILA Associate Director
As of July 2025, if you have an experience of minimum three years as a Board member or at least 5 years in executive management(*), you will be able to join The Essentials Luxembourg, ILA’s flagship training programme that gives Board members the essential knowledge they need to perform their role as a Director in Luxembourg in the most effective manner.
After successfully completing The Essentials Luxembourg and passing the associated exams, you will be awarded the status of ILA Associate Director. This is a newly introduced level. At this point, you have completed half of the path to becoming an ILA Certified Director. From this level onwards, you are required to engage in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain your qualifications.
(*)Your experience will be validated by ILA.
ILA Certified Director
The next step towards the ILA Certification is to attend The Essentials Universal, offered by one of the six official ILA partners: Deutsche Börse, Guberna, IFA, IMD, INSEAD or IoD.
After successfuly completing both modules (The Essentials Luxembourg and The Essentials Universal) and acquiring a minimum of four years of experience as a Board member of one or more entities performing significant economic activities(*), you will qualify to become an ILA Certified Director. The final step will be to submit the necessary documents to finalise your application.
(*) Your experience will be validated by the ILA Executive Committee and reported to the Education and Certification Committee (delegation of the ILA Board of Directors). Please, note that executive management experience is not recognised. At this stage, only a minimum of four years of experience as a board member is recognised.
After certification, you must complete Continous Professional Development (CPDs), including the attendance to the ecoDa European Board Diploma, to maintain your qualification.
The qualification of ILA Certified Director will grant you exclusive benefits within ILA:
- Enhanced visibility on our website (directory ILA Certified Directors, extensive bio)
- Access to dedicated networking events
- Discount on specific ILA training courses
- Access to specialisation modules with reduced fees
- Professional photo shooting during the Award Ceremony
Specialisation
Today, ILA offers a sector-specific specialisation in the fund industry: the Fund Governance Masterclass.
This specialisation is accessible from any level (ILA member, ILA Associate Director, ILA Certified Director) and is subject to certain experience criteria. It is designed to immerse participants in the practical world of a fund governance professional in Luxembourg.
After successfully completing this training, you will be granted the qualification of Fund Governance Expert.
Should you have any questions regarding your application, please contact our certification team via email or call + 352 26 49 58 5976.
Frequently asked questions
Your certification remains valid (provided you fulfil the requirements for continuing education). Nothing changes for you, except that as an ILA-certified Director, you benefit from additional advantages.
The Associate Director is only awarded to those who have completed the Essentials module and passed the associated exam.
If you completed Essentials between 2022 and 2025, you can take the exam (administration fee only) to receive the title.
If you completed the module before 2022, you will need to retake the updated Essentials module due to significant content changes.
No, the module "Luxembourg Essentials" is valid 3 years, so you may continue with the module "Essentials-Universal". You do not need to take the exam unless you wish to earn the Associate Director title.
No action is required for the time being. As soon as you meet the experience critera, all you need to become "ILA Certified Director" is to apply.
Experience in executive management is not a barrier to your participation in the training programme. However, only Directors with significant experience (more than four years) as Board members can become ILA Certified Directors.
About Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
- As an ILA Associate Director or Certified Director, you possess the expected abilities, integrity and professionalism to serve as a director.
- However, the business environment is constantly evolving, and continuous development is essential to ensure credibility for you and the profession at every stage of your career.
- When you reach the level of ILA Associate Director or ILA Certified Director, you will be required to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD). ILA will support you in fulfilling your CPD obligations by offering a range of different training courses.
- Our aim is to maintain the highest standards of competence among our Associate and Certified Directors and to ensure that they remain effective as Board members.
Continuous commitment
- Remain an ILA member.
- Undertake at least 6 (Associate) or 12 (Certified) hours of professional development (CPDs) per calendar year.
- Within 5 years of receiving certification, Certified Directors must complete the ecoDa module on professional development for European directors.
- Take personal responsibility for your professional development requirements and register non-ILA CPD activities before 31 December each year, providing proof of your professional development, such as a certificate of course attendance.
Individual training leave
The certification programmes organised by ILA are eligible for individual training leave granted by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education (MENEJ).
Please note that the information provided below can be subject to changes at any time. The website of the MENEJ is to be considered as the official source of information related to the Individual Training Leave. Please refer to it for any questions you may have.
What is the Individual Training Leave
Individual training leave is a special type of leave that is granted to allow applicants to:
- attend training courses, and prepare for and sit exams; or
-
engage in any other activity undertaken as part of an eligible training course.
Who can apply
The following persons who work in the private sector can be eligible for individual training leave:
- employees;
- self-employed workers;
- freelancers.
Individual training leave is paid for:
- by the employer, if the applicant is employed;
- by the State, if the applicant is self-employed.
Deadline
The request must be submitted 2 months before the start of the leave requested.
Documents to be submitted to the MENEJ
Here is the list of the training-related documents that are required, among other things, to apply for training leave from the MENEJ :
- The training registration certificate with the total number of hours (course, exam, etc.). This document is not provided automatically; please send your request by email to [email protected] to obtain it.
- The training programme is included in the registration confirmation emailed to the registrant.
- The invoice for the training which will be sent by email to the participant and/or to the company's contact person once the registration has been confirmed.
- The certificate of attendance of each module will be sent via an automated email from our LMS platform once the module has been attended.
How to submit your request
Please refer to the following websites for further information and submission instructions.