CDAP was founded on March 4, 1977 as the Philippine Vocational Guidance Association (PVGA) for the primary purpose of promoting the practice of career development in the Philippines. Thus began the first impressive growth of CDAP and the start of a series of professional development activities that formally introduced career development as a separate professional practice area in education and guidance.

CDAP's founding president is Dr. Josefina O. Santamaria. She is also the founding and current president of a private consulting and training company - Career Systems Inc. She is a practicing Career Development specialist for the last 25 years. She has retired from the Board but her advice is still being sought especially when the organization has to make strategic decisions.

The helm of leadership had since then passed on to Mrs. Casiana L. McMurray, Mrs. Agripina Zafra, Ms. Thelma Geraldine Baricaua, Dr. Elvie Ramos, Dr. Chit Umali, Mrs. Ces Regaya and incumbent Chit Concepcion.