“So,” my supervisor asked, “What do you want to do for professional development this year?”
“I want to earn my CPLP.”
I knew I wasn’t required to obtain a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) credential to keep my job. I was hired without it and had been relatively successful. I had established new company values, developed customer service and leadership programs, redesigned the employee orientation program, created a multilevel professional development plan, and significantly increased conference registration. Nevertheless, I wondered whether I was as successful as I could have been if I had obtained a formal education in learning and development. I held two degrees already, but I didn’t think that either had really prepared me to train adult learners. I had experience teaching at colleges and had started change initiatives at other jobs, but was that enough?
When I first started my position, I was constantly researching terminology my team members kept using. What is Bloom’s Taxonomy? Is there a difference between an enabling and a terminal objective? And who is Kirkpatrick? Does everybody on my team know more than I do? Am I a credible leader? Would I follow me? How can I coach others to develop their skills and grow professionally when I’m not even sure of myself? In short, I felt like a fraud.
No, I didn’t need a CPLP to keep my job, lead teams, or create training programs. I needed one for myself. The CPLP is considered the leading training qualification, and I knew if I was able to earn it, I would have validation of my credibility as a training expert, both for myself and for others.
“I’ve done the research,” I told my supervisor. Before our meeting, I had identified my personal development budget, confirmed eligibility, explored training options, determined costs, and established time frames. “ATD has an online self-paced program that covers all the competencies. For the same price as traveling for a face-to-face training program, I can take an online study course, which includes an electronic version of the ATD Learning System. I’ll even have enough funding remaining to order a hard copy and pay for the tests. Based on my anticipated workload, I should be able to earn my CPLP before the end of this fiscal year.”
I walked away from that meeting with my supervisor’s blessing and credit card in hand. I renewed my ATD membership, ordered the online course, completed the CPLP application, and registered for the exam window.
However, once I received the materials, internal doubt began to surface. What had I done? Some of the information was familiar, but most of it was new. How was I supposed to learn all this content? Regardless, I had already made the commitment. Based on my schedule, I projected 14 good weeks to study for the Knowledge Exam, assuming I tested at the end of the window. ATD recommends more than 80 hours to study for the Knowledge Exam alone, so I scheduled 1.5 hours of study time for five days a week. I gave myself a week for each competency, one for the global mindset section, another to create study materials, and two weeks for a final review. I had prepared myself for success. Or so I thought.
After I started studying, I discovered 7.5 hours a week was not going to be enough time to read an entire chapter, complete an online module, take the practice assessments, and review the material for understanding. Then the test window registration opened, and I saw that the only test date available within 100 miles was the first day of the test window. That was two weeks off my planned prep time! So I doubled my efforts.
The week before the Knowledge Exam, I had planned a cruise. I thought I’d have two weeks after I returned to review the material, but with a test date sooner than anticipated, I no longer had that time. I brought my study materials with me, crammed by the pool, and pestered my boyfriend to quiz me at the airport.
And when I finally took the Knowledge Exam, I passed. But I wasn’t done yet.
The Skills Application Exam (SAE) was two months away, and I took advantage of that time. I studied the assessment questions from all chapters and modules and thoroughly reviewed my chosen area of expertise. I also took the practice SAEs multiple times, reread the global mindset section, and reviewed the glossary. Then I tested. And waited.
Six weeks later, on my birthday, I received an email stating I had earned my CPLP. Best. Present. Ever.
Sure, I received recognition from my employer, but, more important, I regained my confidence. I worked hard, and it paid off. I no longer feel like an imposter. Of course there will always be room for development, but now, with my combined experience and knowledge, I know I am a credible expert in my field. And as an added bonus, I have a certification to prove it.
Learn more about becoming a CPLP!
