CPTD Eligibility

Eligibility and Certification Overview

To earn the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) credential, candidates must meet the program’s eligibility requirements and successfully pass a three-hour standardized exam.

To maintain your certification, recertification is required every three years through documented professional development activities.

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Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for the CPTD program, candidates must meet all criteria for ONE of the pathways below:

Both of the following requirements must be met:
Work Experience- 5 years of experience in talent development
Work experience is defined as on-the-job experience, working with adults, in the talent development field or related discipline (human resources, higher education or similar) as described in the Developing Professional Capability and/or Impacting Organizational Capability domains of the Talent Development Capability Model.
Professional Development- 60 hours of qualified activities covering talent development topics within the last 5 years
Professional development is any educational activity with content that is defined within the Building Professional Capability and the Impacting Organizational Capability domains of the Talent Development Capability Model. Content from concepts found in the Developing Personal Capability domain are not applicable for eligibility.
Download the detailed capability descriptions here.
ATD’s preparation courses for the CPTD can be reported for a total of 20 hours of professional development eligibility.
Learn more about acceptable professional development and free and inexpensive offerings in this helpful guide and use the CPTD Eligibility Worksheet to self-determine eligibility before applying.
Examples of Professional Development
- In-person, virtual, or self-paced courses offered through ATD or other education providers- see Pre-Approved Professional Development for Certification
- Education sessions at TD events like conferences and workshops, including Chapter and Member Network events
- Subscribe to the ATDYou Learning Library to earn all the professional development credits required for certification eligibility
- View the ATD micro course library (free access for ATD Professional Plus members)
- Courses and certificate programs offered by higher education
- Webinars & webcasts
- Free and Inexpensive Professional Development
For full details, see Eligibility Requirements in the CPTD Certification Handbook.
Both of the following requirements must be met:
Work Experience- 5 years of experience in talent development
Work experience is defined as on-the-job experience, working with adults, in the talent development field or related discipline (human resources, higher education or similar) as described in the Developing Professional Capability and/or Impacting Organizational Capability domains of the Talent Development Capability Model.
ATD Masters Designation completed within the past 5 years
ATD Master Trainer or ATD Master Instructional Designer or ATD Master Performance Consultant Learn More
For full details on CPTD eligibility, see this excerpt from the CPTD Certification Handbook.
Both of the following requirements must be met:
Work Experience- 4 years of experience in talent development
Work experience is defined as on-the-job experience, working with adults, in the talent development field or related discipline (human resources, higher education or similar) as described in the Developing Professional Capability and/or Impacting Organizational Capability domains of the Talent Development Capability Model.
Current APTD Credential
For details on CPTD eligibility, see this excerpt from the CPTD Certification Handbook.

CPTD Eligibility Resources and Support

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CPTD Eligibility

The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)

Eligibility and Certification Overview

Am I Eligible?

CPTD Standard Pathway

Both of the following requirements must be met:

Work Experience- 5 years of experience in talent development

Professional Development- 60 hours of qualified activities covering talent development topics within the last 5 years

Examples of Professional Development

CPTD with a Master Series Designation Pathway

Both of the following requirements must be met:

Work Experience- 5 years of experience in talent development

ATD Masters Designation completed within the past 5 years

CPTD with a APTD Certification Pathway

Both of the following requirements must be met:

Work Experience- 4 years of experience in talent development

Current APTD Credential

CPTD Eligibility Resources and Support

Contact the ATD CI Team