ASTD Certification Institute
Section Map

Why Should I Get Certified?

There are many reasons to pursue certification. Find your reason.


Why Pursue a Certification from ATD

There are many reasons to want to earn a professional certification. Hear directly from current APTDs and CPTDs as they answer the question "Why did you decide to pursue a certification from ATD?"

Explore Our Talent Development Certifications
Which one is right for you?
Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
Discover our APTD ceritifcation—for talent development professionals who are in the early part of their careers or whose professional roles and aspirations are focused on the foundational areas of talent development.
  • The capabilities covered in the APTD exam are the basics of talent development that professionals can use every day, no matter the level within an organization or company.
  • Are you ready for the APTD exam? Ensure success with these study tools and prep courses.
  • Differentiate yourself in a competitive job market. Register for the APTD exam and validate your knowledge and skills in the field.
Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
You are taking a critical step in your professional development by exploring your CPTD certification. Successful CPTDs report that the process of getting their credential was a tremendous growth opportunity, allowing them to learn, give back to the profession, and make a positive impact on their careers.
  • The CPTD covers a subset of the knowledge and skills from the Talent Development Capability Model, focusing on skills application and decision-making for more experienced prof... Learn More
  • Ready to start your journey? Boost your confidence and knowledge with prep courses and study tools.
  • Becoming certified can build your skills, increase your earning potential, broaden your career opportunities, and unite you with an elite community of professionals.
Get the advice you need to help you determine which certification is right for you!
Have questions? Download our FAQs or sign up for a zoom call to meet current APTDs and CPTDs and ask them your questions directly. Email [email protected] with any lingering questions or to request a discussion with a Certification Specialist.


A graphic showing a wheel with text 80.6% saw improved program effectiveness due to earning and maintaining their ATD credential. Source: 2022 study conducted by the ROI Institute for the ATD Certification Institute.
A graphic showing a green wheel with text 73.3% saw improved productivity as a result of earning and maintaining their ATD credential. Source: 2022 study conducted by the ROI Institute for the ATD Certification Institute.

Convince Your Boss

To gain support from your supervisor to pursue the CPTD, or APTD credentials, download the letter templates below and share the pdf with four reasons to support certification.

Resources to Help Convince Your Boss (& Yourself)
See What Has Changed With the APTD and CPTD (formerly CPLP) Programs
With the 2020 release of ATD's Talent Development Capability Model both the APTD and CPLP exams changed. Learn more about the changes here or watch our webcast replay where we discussed the changes, what drove them, and what that means for TD professionals pursuing a certification. Have questions? Check our FAQs.
Hear from APTDs and CPTDs
Subtitles
Up Next
4684385851001_5834425635001_5834421668001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=5834421668001
Now Playing
Video
Heather Tilton, APTD
4684385851001_5834425621001_5834418591001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=5834418591001
Now Playing
Video
Austyn Martin, APTD
4684385851001_5834425607001_5834423509001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=5834423509001
Now Playing
Video
Rob Hoitt, APTD
4684385851001_5834423460001_5834410925001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=5834410925001
Now Playing
Video
Terica Adams, APTD
4684385851001_5096812883001_5096792388001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=5096792388001
Now Playing
Video
Wendy Gates Corbett, CPTD
4684385851001_5071138129001_5071134659001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=5071134659001
Now Playing
Video
Kris Newbauer, CPTD
4684385851001_6089812070001_6089805527001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=6089805527001
Now Playing
Video
What Are Employers Looking For? Does Certification Matter?
4684385851001_6175863008001_6165849478001-vs.jpg?pubId=4684385851001&videoId=6165849478001
Now Playing
Video
Certification: Why Now is the Time