Certification Simplified

Many credential holders have shared their certification stories. Check out their reasons for pursuing certification in their profile stories, and see what resonates with you.

APTD or CPTD? What's the Difference? Get a quick view of Which Certification is for You?

Many APTD credential holders are “accidental trainers” without formal education in training and development. Learn more about who is in the APTD community.

A CPTD credential holder understands and can affect the value and impact employee learning and development strategies bring to the success of an organization. Learn more about who is in the CPTD community.

There is no one right way to decide which certification to pursue. Some credential holders choose based on their eligibility, while others decide based on their career goals and alignment of experience.

To earn either credential, you must have a minimum number of years in the talent development field plus completed a minimum number of professional development hours. Find specifics on each program page: APTD Eligibility | CPTD Eligibility.

If you haven’t decided whether the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) or Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) credential is right for you, compare the content outlines for the exams to see what aligns best with your experience and read this blog to help guide your decision.

Download a template (APTD Plan | CPTD Plan) and follow along in this webinar replay to make a certification plan with the right timing for you.

You can start your application at any time in the certification portal. Some candidates find it helpful to use the portal to track progress toward eligibility rather than submitting all information at once.

If you need help completing your application, use these step-by-step instructions.

Use our Study Planning Guide (APTD Guide | CPTD Guide) to make sure you close any current skills gaps and are prepared for your certification exam.