ATD Certification
Section Map
Close
ATD Certification Homepage
ATD Certification
Quick Links
APTD Eligibility
CPTD Eligibility
Recertification Requirements
Looking for the Certification Portal?
Looking to schedule or launch an exam? Ready to Apply? Need to log a recertification activity? Click here.
Certification Portal
193278 Capability Model _dfp_720x250_3 yellow.jpg
Who We Are
193278 Capability Model _dfp_720x250_4 blue.jpg
Why Get Certified
193278 Capability Model _dfp_720x250_2 green.jpg
Have Questions? Get Answers.
Capability Model art 720x405 off left transparent background.png
The Talent Development Capability Model
Learn More About ATD Certification
Download our ATD Certification brochure.
Download Brochure
Explore Our Talent Development Certifications
Which one is right for you?
Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
Close
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.
Get Started!
  • Explore the APTD Credential
    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.
  • Prepare for the APTD
    Are you ready for the APTD exam? Ensure success with these study tools and prep courses.
  • Register for the Exam
    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)
Close
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.
Get Started!
  • Explore the CPTD Credential
    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
  • Prepare for the CPTD
    Ready to start your journey? Boost your confidence and knowledge with prep courses and study tools.
  • Register for the Exams
    Becoming certified can build your skills, increase your earning potential, broaden your career opportunities, and unite you with an elite community of professionals.
Alejandra Love, CPTD
"Having the CPTD has been a game changer for my career and credibility. Businesses want their consultants to be experts and those four letters are proof of that expertise. Every client I've served has talked about my in-depth understanding of how learning and development fits into a larger business strategy—part of that is experience and the other part is the foundational knowledge learned and tested through CPTD certification."
See More
Mollie Steed, APTD
"This credential has done so much for me both professionally and personally. It makes me feel accomplished to be a subject matter expert in talent development. It allows me to be a source of wisdom on this topic in my company and in my community. I was able to learn an abundant amount of information that will help me excel in my career for years to come."
See More
Suzanne Wagner, CPTD
"My credential allowed me to demonstrate proficiency in talent development at a time when it was a newer career for me professionally. I've capitalized on what I learned during the certification process and expanded my career potential many times over since becoming certified."
See More
Rohit Das, APTD
"The APTD served to be a key differentiator in gaining a promotion from being an L&D specialist to landing a role as an assistant manager in a global IT firm. Furthermore, it helped me to expand into leadership and management training."
See More
Shane Jaques, CPTD
"Having joined the profession via a nontraditional route, I wanted to demonstrate the skills I had developed from over more than a decade in the profession. Earning the CPTD credential felt like a great opportunity to prove my worth while also compounding it through upskilling. Earning the credential has helped me advance professionally. It gave me more marketable skills in my job search and led to landing a new role just a few months after obtaining the certification."
See More

APTD and CPTD offset overlapping badges with ribbons 300x300.png


How Are the APTD and CPTD Certifications Different?

As professional industry certifications, the APTD and CPTD assess your overall knowledge and abilities as a talent development professional. They are grounded in the Talent Development Capability Model™, which is a framework that outlines everything one needs to know and do to be successful in the field of talent development.

Many of our credential holders also get certified in vendor-specific methodologies or software (e.g. MBTI, ICF, DDI, Crucial Conversations, StrengthsFinder) etc., as needed for their specific roles. Those certifications are targeted to those organizations’ proprietary content, which is not content covered on the APTD nor CPTD exams.

I'm Certified. What's Next?
Learn about our registry, volunteer opportunities, and how to maintain your credential status.
Stay Certified!
Save When You Certify and Prepare as a Team
Have a team of five or more? Save when you prepare and certify as a team AND get additional coaching support.
Learn More