Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)

What to Expect from the APTD Exam

What is the Full Exam Format?

• Exam time: 2 hours
• Exam length: 115 multiple choice questions
• Computer-based exam at conveniently located testing centers worldwide

What is Covered on the Exam?

The APTD focuses on three main areas of expertise weighted in the following manner:

• Instructional Design - 37%
• Training Delivery - 37%
• Learning Technologies - 26%
• Evaluating Learning Impact and Global Mindset questions will also be tested in relation to the three main AOEs.

To see the primary and secondary areas of expertise and foundational competency covered on the exam, download the APTD exam's content outline.

How Much Does it Cost?

• Exam fee: $400 (members); $600 (non-members)
• The exam fee covers a testing seat for the APTD exam, exam score report, and APTD certificate once certification is achieved.

How do I Register for the Exam?

• To register for the exam go to the APTD Application system. If it is your first time in the application system, you may need to complete additional fields and indicate that you are interested in the APTD program.
• If you earned an ATD Master Trainer or Master Instructional Designer designation, you may opt-out of one related area of expertise on the APTD exam.
• Please have documentation for your ATD Masters program designation available if you intend to request the opt-out exam.

When and Where Can I Take the Exam?

• Exams can be taken at testing centers around the country.
• There are five testing windows for the APTD each year. The registrations deadlines are typically 30 days before each testing window begins.
• Please note that registration for 2019 test windows opened on October 1, 2018.
• The remaining test window for 2018 and the upcoming 2019 windows are listed below:

Note: New candidates who register for the November-December 2018 Exam window will get a free retest in February 2019, if needed. The free retest is valid for the February 2019 exam window only.

APTD Exam Windows and Deadlines 2018-2019

Registration Opens	Registration Deadline*	Exam Window	Score Notifications
January 1, 2018	December 7, 2018	November 8-December 20, 2018	Instant
October 1, 2018	January 9, 2019	February 6-27, 2019	Instant
October 1, 2018	February 27, 2019	April 3-24, 2019	Instant
October 1, 2018	April 24, 2019	June 5-26, 2019	Instant
October 1, 2018	July 24, 2019	September 4-25, 2019	Instant
October 1, 2018	October 9, 2019	November 6-26, 2019	Instant

*All ADA applications must be received 10 weeks before your selected testing window.

Click here to find the test center closest to your address.