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.
• If you require accommodations, please submit an ADA application 10 weeks before your selected testing window so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

When and Where Can I Take the Exam?

• Exams can be taken at testing centers around the world.
• The registration deadlines are generally 30 days before each testing window begins.
• The remaining test windows for 2019 and the first half of 2020 are listed below with their respective registration deadlines.

Upcoming APTD Exam Windows and Deadlines

Testing windows for the second half of 2020 will be posted in late January 2020

Registration Opens	Registration Deadline	Exam Window	Score Notifications
October 1, 2018	July 31, 2019	September 4-25, 2019	Instant
October 1, 2018	November 29, 2019*	November 6- December 20, 2019*	Instant
October 7, 2019	January 5, 2020	February 5-26, 2020	Instant
October 7, 2019	March 1, 2020	April 1-22, 2020	Instant
October 7, 2019	May 3, 2020	June 3-24, 2020	Instant

*This deadline and window have been extended to accommodate candidate volume

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

If you have additional questions about the APTD exam, please email certification@td.org or call a Certification Specialist at 703-838-5842