Certification Simplified

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Earning a professional certification is a big achievement. Get started here!

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The ATD Certification Institute has many resources and information across the APTD and CPTD pages. But, if you’re looking for more of a "quickstart guide" to getting certified, here is your simplified process.

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Let us help you take the next step, no matter where you are on your certification journey. Check out this simplified path to getting certified, find where you are in the process, and access resources to help you take the next step.

Resources to Help You Take the Next Step

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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.
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.
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APTD or CPTD? What's the Difference? Get a quick view of Which Certification is for You?
APTD or CPTD? What's the Difference? Get a quick view of Which Certification is for You?
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Many APTD credential holders are “accidental trainers” without formal education in training and development. Learn more about who is in the APTD community .
Many APTD credential holders are “accidental trainers” without formal education in training and development. Learn more about who is in the APTD community.
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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 .
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.
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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.
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.
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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 .
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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If you need help completing your application, use these step-by-step instruction s .
If you need help completing your application, use these step-by-step instructions.
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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.
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.

Certification Handbooks

The primary and comprehensive source for the APTD and CPTD Certification process

APTD Certification Handbook

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Your comprehensive source for the APTD certification process.

CPTD Certification Handbook

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Download this comprehensive source for the CPTD certification process .

Download this comprehensive source for the CPTD certification process.

Questions?

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Everything you need to know about the APTD or CPTD certification process is in the candidate handbooks. If you have additional questions, visit our Have Questions? webpage or contact the ATD CI Staff at [email protected] .

Everything you need to know about the APTD or CPTD certification process is in the candidate handbooks. If you have additional questions, visit our Have Questions? webpage or contact the ATD CI Staff at [email protected].

Explore Our Talent Development Certifications

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Which is Right for You?

Which is Right for You?

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Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)

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Discover our APTD certification—for talent development professionals who are in the early part of their careers or whose professional roles and aspirations are focused on the foundational areas of talent development.

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