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ATD certification is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in talent development. It is considered a significant career achievement and validates your knowledge, skills, and commitment to the field.
The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) is for early-career (3+ years of experience) talent development professionals who seek to demonstrate their foundational knowledge in the field.
The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) is for experienced practitioners (5+ years of experience) with a broad range of experience across the field.
Review the APTD or CPTDCandidate Handbook to confirm the eligibility requirements prior to applying.
Certification is a career achievement and best approached with the end in mind.
Align your experience and goals and set realistic expectations. View the ATD Certification Pathway, an overview of the experience along with key links for important milestones.
Yes. Eligibility requirements must be met before applying for and taking an exam.
APTD: Candidates must have at least three years of work experience in L&D and 28 hours of qualifying professional development completed within the last 3 years.
CPTD: Candidates must have a broad range of experience in talent development, at least five years, and 60 hours of qualifying professional development completed within the last 5 years.
Visit the APTD or CPTD eligibility webpage to find tools that show whether your professional development qualifies and when you can apply for the exam:
Explore the talent development ecosystem and discover where you want to develop.
If you’re newer to talent development or building toward ATD certification, consider the Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development Program. This assessment-based course helps build foundational knowledge and essential skills across the full spectrum of talent development and provides a practical overview of the roles, responsibilities, and impact of talent development across organizations. 35 credit hours.
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