Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)

The pinnacle achievement in talent development.

Special Member Offer During ATD Member Week Sale

Members who complete their application for the CPTD this week (sale ends September 18 at 11:59 pm ET) will be given a bonus package of three pdf books to help assess and fill knowledge gaps. Offer is for new applicants.

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Apply for the CPTD

The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) is a professional certification for TD professionals with at least five years of experience. It is broad and measures a professional’s knowledge and skill application across the breadth of talent development capabilities.

Successful CPTDs report that the process of studying for and getting their CPTD designation was a tremendous growth opportunity, allowed them to both learn and give back to the profession, and made a positive impact on their careers.

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What Topics are Covered?

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 professionals.

Talent Development Capability Model

Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) candidates are tested on content covering 22 capabilities from the Talent Development Capability Model. Familiarize yourself with the model and download this detailed test content outline to see what is covered on the exam.

Who is It For?

All CPTD candidates must have at least five years of related work experience and should have deep knowledge and experience applying the principles for enhancing employee talent development. A CPTD understands and can affect the value and impact talent development strategies and solutions bring to the success of an organization.

For more information about the CPTD credential, please download the Certification Handbook at the bottom of this page or email us at [email protected].

Discover Your Greatness

Increase confidence, validate knowledge, and advance your career with a CPTD credential.
Registration for the CPTD is now open!

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These people have earned their CPLP (now CPTD) credentials and have these great things to say about it!

Denee D’ Andrea, CPTD

“I wanted a certification that was widely recognized in the industry not only for the accreditation, but also for the learning experience. The [CPTD] was the...

Alexander Salas, CPTD

“Becoming a [CPTD] is the highest level of professional validation you can attain, in my opinion. There’s a reason why there are not too many [CPTDs]...

Tammy Neale, CPTD

"Earning the [CPTD] certification has been life changing because it validates what I know and do for a living. Increasingly professional certifications...

CPLP is now CPTD: ATD Certification Is Changing

With the release of ATD's new Talent Development Capability Model there have been changes to the CPTD (formerly CPLP) certification program. Explore the model to learn more about the new standard for talent development, see what is changing with ATD Certification overall, or go to the (legacy) CPLP pages if you were originally scheduled to test before June 30, 2020.

Explore the Model

See ATD Certification Changes

Go to CPLP

Is This Certification Right For Me?

Get inspired! Read the latest insights from CPLP (now CPTD) credential holders.

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10 Strategies I Used to Successfully Complete My CPLP Journey

While my undergraduate and master’s degrees have been great credentials, I began to realize that earning the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) certification would help me distinguish myself even more.