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ATD Chapter Certification Toolkit

Serves as a guide for chapters to support CPTD and APTD certifications and enhance chapter membership value.
ATD Certification Toolkit

Certification at a Glance

General Information
Based on the Talent Development Capability Model, the ATD Certification Institute built the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credentials to provide a way for TD professionals to prove their value to employers and to be confident in their knowledge of the field.
ATD Certification Homepage
Have Questions About ATD Certifications?

Certification Tools and Resources

About ATD Certification
ATD chapters are always striving to deliver programs and services that create value for their members. The CPTD and APTD have gained popularity among talent development professionals who see certification as a way to become more knowledgeable about the profession and stand out from the crowd. Supporting ATD certification will help members seeking career advancement and professional development opportunities see added value in joining your chapter and attending your chapter’s programs. Below is general information about ATD certification including the major changes that took place in 2020.
ATD Certification
ATD Certification Changes in 2020
  • ATD Professional Certification Overview
    A presentation reviewing ATD professional certification programs and why your members should consider one.
    ATD Professional Certification Programs - What Are They and Why You Should Consider One
  • Certification Marketing Materials
    For the most recent certification marketing materials, download the brochure below:
    Certification Brochure 2022
  • Certification Resources for Candidates
    The most recent certification handbooks, study planning guides, content outlines and other key resources for both APTD and CPTD certifications may be downloaded from the page below:
    Active Candidates for Certification
  • FAQs - ATD Certification Program
    Frequently asked questions about the recent changes to the Certification programs including eligibility requirements, testing, content, and pricing.
    Certification FAQs
  • Chapter Study Group Guide
    If your chapter is currently hosting an APTD and/or CPTD study group, or planning one in the future, be sure to review the chapter study group guide. The guide includes facilitator and leader guidelines, tips for establishing a group, a sample study group plan and agenda. Chapters that decide to support a certification study group should contact their chapter relations manager (CRM) to learn about the resources and support that ATD can provide.
    Chapter Study Group Guide
  • Recertification Resources
    APTD and CPTD credential holders must earn professional development points to recertify every three years. The recertification guidelines and FAQs can be downloaded from the page below. For more information about recertification contact the ATD CI team at [email protected].
    Recertification Program
  • Professional Development Points for Chapter Programs
    If your chapter has not been pre-approved to offer professional development points, you may use the following language on promotional materials: “CPTDs and APTDs applicants and credential holders must earn professional development credits by participating in continuing education activities that relate to the Talent Development Capability Model. Please review the Recertification and new Eligibility Guidelines on the ATD website for more information.”

    The ATD Certification Institute (CI) does offer professional development credits for ATD chapter programs that meet ATD CI's standards. To apply to have your chapter programs pre-approved, complete the form at the bottom of the page below:
    ATD Professional Development Pre-Approval
  • Chapter Excellence Awards (CEA)
    ATD awards the Excellence in Advancing the Profession Through ATD Certification (APTD/CPTD) to chapters that significantly foster talent development in their community and professionalize the industry through promoting ATD certification. Consider applying to win $1,000 for your chapter.
    Excellence in Advancing the Profession Through ATD Certification (APTD/CPTD)

Talent Development Body of Knowledge

The TDBoK is a comprehensive collection of concepts, definitions, methodologies, and examples covering the 23 Capability Areas in the Talent Development Capability Model.

Accessible anytime, anywhere, on any device, the TDBoK offers a deep dive of the concepts within the Talent Development Capability Model, the framework that tells talent development practitioners what they need to know and do to develop themselves, others, and their organizations. This first-of-its-kind resource for information on the field was developed with more than 60 subject matter expert contributors and incorporates curated perspectives from thousands of publications. The TDBoK gives you the means to define the personal, professional, and organizational impact capabilities required for success—today and in the future.

The TDBoK can be an important resource for exam preparation for both the APTD and CPTD exams, but should not be viewed as the only resource needed to study for the exam.

Chapters hosting an ATD certification study group are eligible to receive a free, annual subscription to the new Talent Development Body of Knowledge (TDBoK) for facilitation purposes. Review these FAQs for more information on how to use the TDBoK and request one for your chapter.

Certification Preparation Programs

Courses to help you prepare to pursue the CPTD or APTD credential
These programs are designed to help those pursuing the CPTD or APTD credentials to plan for and begin a comprehensive study of the content covered in the certification exams. ATD offers courses delivered in various formats to suit the learner’s needs.
Industrial designer working on desktop computer
CPTD Certification Preparation Course

Self-paced online course. Participant will have a 12-month period to use the online materials and study aids beginning at the time of registration.

CPTD Prep Course
Man working on desktop computer
APTD Certification Preparation Course

Self-paced online course. Participant will have a 12-month period to use the online materials and study aids beginning at the time of registration.

APTD Prep Course
The ATD Talent Development Capability Model
Talent Development Body of Knowledge

Comprehensive guide to knowledge and skills in the Talent Development Capability Model

TD BoK
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Study Groups

Offered independently by chapters.

ATD Chapter Study Groups

These fully redesigned preparation programs:

  • are on-demand, allowing flexible and self-paced study
  • provide access to comprehensive content and resources for 12 months
  • include the Talent Development Body of Knowledge
  • take an adaptive, assessment-based approach to customized learning
  • offer a robust set of microlearning resources tailored for busy professionals
  • supply a full length practice test and additional sample questions

Study Group Guide

Study Group Guide

If your chapter is currently hosting a study group, or planning one in the future, be sure to review the study group guide for chapters . The study group guide includes facilitator and leader guidelines, tips for establishing the group, a sample study group plan and agenda.

Chapters that decide to support a certification study group should contact their chapter relations manager to learn about the resources and support that ATD can provide. For example, ATD chapters that host certification study groups qualify for a free, yearly subscription to the new Talent Development Body of Knowledge (TDBoK) for facilitation purposes. Review these FAQs for more information about the complimentary TDBoK.