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The Talent Development Capability Model
Free Retest With Application
Apply for the APTD or CPTD and get a free retest (valued at $225+). Offer ends June 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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Explore Our Talent Development Certifications
Which one is right for you?
Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
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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.
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  • 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)
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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.
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  • 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.
Hector Escalante
"Preparing for and passing the [CPTD] test was one of the most challenging learning experiences I’ve encountered since my university graduate work. However, taking the instructor-led online course gave me the confidence and strategy to accomplish a major goal in my learning and development career. I’m extremely grateful for the course and the instructor’s wisdom and guidance. I would recommend these series of courses to anyone who is serious about becoming [CPTD] certified."
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Jane Loda
"This program provides effective application across multiple industries, and keeps the material very relevant to current business issues participants are facing in the workplace. There was very rich discussion in class, as well as the completion of several realistic scenarios, which will enable us to hit the ground running back at work. I can rely on ATD to present material that is very well constructed, timely, content-rich, and relevant to the challenges workplace learning professionals face every day."
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Angie Wolthuis
""ATD has a reputation for providing cutting-edge, high-quality programs that are relevant for today's learning professional.""
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Randi Puckett
"I have taken classes from ATD before and really enjoy the atmosphere they create, the superb trainers they choose, and their well thought-out delivery format. ATD caters to all different learning types and ensures the information isn't just presented, but that it is truly comprehended and able to be applied on the job."
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Elmer Castro
"ATD keeps at the forefront of the latest research and best practices, and translates those findings into tangible learning for career development."
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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.
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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.
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