Certification Homepage
ATD Certification
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Certification for the Talent Development Professional
Certification for the Talent Development Professional
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ATD certification helps talent development professionals validate their expertise, strengthen credibility, and demonstrate their commitment to advancing the field. Explore the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) or the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) to find the credential that aligns with your experience, goals, and next step in your career journey.
ATD certification helps talent development professionals validate their expertise, strengthen credibility, and demonstrate their commitment to advancing the field. Explore the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) or the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) to find the credential that aligns with your experience, goals, and next step in your career journey.
Empower Your Career With a Free Retest
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Advance your professional growth with an ATD certification. This credential validates your expertise and commitment to learning and development excellence. Apply by June 30, 2026 , to receive a free retest—a built-in safety net that gives you confidence on exam-day.*
Advance your professional growth with an ATD certification. This credential validates your expertise and commitment to learning and development excellence. Apply by June 30, 2026, to receive a free retest—a built-in safety net that gives you confidence on exam-day.*
Start Your Certification Journey
Why Get Certified?
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Understand the value of ATD certification and how it can strengthen your credibility, expand opportunities, and increase your impact.
Understand the value of ATD certification and how it can strengthen your credibility, expand opportunities, and increase your impact.
Which Certification Is Right for You?
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Compare the credentials and find the certification that aligns best with your experience and career goals.
Compare the credentials and find the certification that aligns best with your experience and career goals.
The Certification Pathway
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Download a clear step-by-step overview of the certification process, from eligibility and preparation to applying and testing.
Download a clear step-by-step overview of the certification process, from eligibility and preparation to applying and testing.
Get Your Questions Answered
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View the certification FAQs and join monthly mentoring calls and office hours to get answers, guidance, and support as you explore certification.
View the certification FAQs and join monthly mentoring calls and office hours to get answers, guidance, and support as you explore certification.
Get To Know the Credentials
Not Ready for Certification Yet?
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Start with the Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development program to build foundational knowledge, understand the field, and take your first step toward certification with confidence. By completing this program you'll receive 35 credit hours .*
Start with the Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development program to build foundational knowledge, understand the field, and take your first step toward certification with confidence. By completing this program you'll receive 35 credit hours.*
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*Completing the program also provides all required professional development hours for the APTD eligibility.
*Completing the program also provides all required professional development hours for the APTD eligibility.
What are ATD Credential Holders Saying?
Your Certification Handbook Guide to ATD Certification
Everything you need to understand your path to becoming certified—in one place.
APTD Certification Handbook
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Understand the requirements, timeline, exam format, and policies before you apply, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Understand the requirements, timeline, exam format, and policies before you apply, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
CPTD Certification Handbook
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Get clear guidance on what to expect, from qualifying criteria and application steps to exam format and certification policies.
Get clear guidance on what to expect, from qualifying criteria and application steps to exam format and certification policies.
Additional Certification Resources
Global Candidates
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Access resources, preparation options, and guidance for pursuing ATD certification outside of North America.
Access resources, preparation options, and guidance for pursuing ATD certification outside of North America.
Team Certification
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Support your team’s growth with group certification options designed to build capability and drive organizational impact.
Support your team’s growth with group certification options designed to build capability and drive organizational impact.
Pre-approved Education Providers
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Find approved providers offering programs and courses that support certification preparation and recertification points.
Find approved providers offering programs and courses that support certification preparation and recertification points.
Making the Move From APTD to CPTD
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Ready for the next step? Transition from APTD to CPTD and elevate your expertise and influence.
Ready for the next step? Transition from APTD to CPTD and elevate your expertise and influence.
ATD CI Certification Brochure
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Get a complete overview of ATD certification, including requirements, preparation resources, and key details to help you plan your next step.
Get a complete overview of ATD certification, including requirements, preparation resources, and key details to help you plan your next step.
Your Certification Handbook Guide to ATD Certification
Everything you need to understand your path to becoming certified—in one place.
APTD Certification Handbook
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Understand the requirements, timeline, exam format, and policies before you apply, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Understand the requirements, timeline, exam format, and policies before you apply, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
CPTD Certification Handbook
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Get clear guidance on what to expect, from qualifying criteria and application steps to exam format and certification policies.
Get clear guidance on what to expect, from qualifying criteria and application steps to exam format and certification policies.
Get Support and Explore The Framework
Talent Development Capability Model™
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Explore the framework that defines the knowledge and skills required for success in learning and development.
Explore the framework that defines the knowledge and skills required for success in learning and development.
Talent Development Capability Model Definitions
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Explore the 23 capabilities that define success in learning and development and understand the foundation of ATD certification.
Explore the 23 capabilities that define success in learning and development and understand the foundation of ATD certification.
Already Certified? Maintain Your Credential
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Keep your APTD or CPTD active by recertifying every three years. Earn professional development points and continue growing your expertise in the field.
Keep your APTD or CPTD active by recertifying every three years. Earn professional development points and continue growing your expertise in the field.