What Next after my DTM? How can I achieve a Competitive Edge?
Predictably, I would answer, to both questions: “Go for the Accredited Speaker designation”!
Why would you want to try to earn the Accredited Speaker designation?
Having spoken with several Accredited Speakers and aspiring Accredited Speakers, there are two main reasons why Toastmasters explore the Accredited Speaker programme – Competitive Edge (what the designation gives them), and The Challenge (what the journey gives them).
1. A Competitive Edge
As a professional speaker, earning the Accredited Speaker designation will
make you stand out from the crowd. At the time of publishing there are just 96 Accredited Speakers worldwide, and just one who earned it in Europe. You will surely stand out!
Earning the designation itself did not give me a competitive edge – the publicity that my wonderful PR agent produced did give me that edge! It opened conversations and doors that had previously been closed. If a competitive edge is your reason, please do get some great PR, in the right places, and then pursue the magic.
Is it worth it? For me, yes!
See what 3 other Accredited Speakers say:
2. The Challenge
When you’ve achieved Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), you many wonder “What Next?”
You may be looking for your next, meaningful challenge.
The Accredited Speaker, for most, is indeed a challenge.
It can take 2-3 years to build up the required qualifying speeches, assemble correctly documented Recommendations, and to submit a video meeting the criteria.
… you do not have to wait until you achieve your DTM to take on this challenge! After completing just one Path you have satisfied one of the eligibility criteria.
Interested in finding out more? Please complete this form: Click Here
Accredited Speaker designation – key application points
Be a member of a club in good standing.
Have completed 1 Path or ACB or ATB.
Submit your application between the 1st and the 31st of January only.
Prior to your application date you must have completed, in the previous 3 years, 25 presentations to non-toastmaster audiences of at least 20 people, and each presentation must be at least 20 minutes long.
Of your 25 speeches at least 15 must be paid, and of those you must be paid a fee for at least 8; up to 7 can be reimbursements, per diems and gifts donations.
Five clients, for whom you are paid, need to complete the official TI Recommendation Form. Clients can submit these forms at any time.
You must submit a video of one of your qualifying speeches: The video must be 20 to 60 minutes long, in English, include a professional introduction, not be edited in any way, and include the complete presentation.
Two pass/fail levels for which the pass mark is 80% from four out of five judges.
- Level 1 – your video is judged.
- Level 2 – your 15-18 minute live presentation at the International Convention is judged.
- For more information, see:Toastmasters International -Become An Accredited Speaker
Last Updated on 26th October 2026 by Suhas Kumar