APTD Introduction

What is the APTD?

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The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD ® ) is a professional certification for TD professionals with at least three years of experience—those who are in the early parts of their careers or whose professional roles and aspirations are focused on foundational areas of the field.

The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) is a professional certification for TD professionals with at least three years of experience—those who are in the early parts of their careers or whose professional roles and aspirations are focused on foundational areas of the field.

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An APTD understands that well-designed talent development strategies and solutions contribute to organizational success and has a strong grounding in the foundational knowledge of the field.

An APTD understands that well-designed talent development strategies and solutions contribute to organizational success and has a strong grounding in the foundational knowledge of the field.

Who is an APTD Candidate?

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The typical APTD credential holder has 3-5 years of experience in talent development. These professionals are in the early parts of their career or are individual contributors, or have talent development as part of their role.

The typical APTD credential holder has 3-5 years of experience in talent development. These professionals are in the early parts of their career or are individual contributors, or have talent development as part of their role.

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Many of our APTD candidates are “accidental trainers” without formal education in training and development. Some work full-time in the field, while others work part-time. Learn more about who is in the APTD community .

Many of our APTD candidates are “accidental trainers” without formal education in training and development. Some work full-time in the field, while others work part-time. Learn more about who is in the APTD community.

Steps to Becoming an APTD

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Use the links at the top to explore each step.

Use the links at the top to explore each step.

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1. Check your eligibility- Assess your knowledge gaps and make sure you’re qualified to apply for the APTD certification exam.

1. Check your eligibility- Assess your knowledge gaps and make sure you’re qualified to apply for the APTD certification exam.

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2. Prepare for your exam- Explore what is on the exam and find various preparation tools and resources to fit your study preferences, budget, and time.

2. Prepare for your exam- Explore what is on the exam and find various preparation tools and resources to fit your study preferences, budget, and time.

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3. Apply for the exam- Apply and get authorized to test through our certification portal when you are eligible and ready select a testing window.

3. Apply for the exam- Apply and get authorized to test through our certification portal when you are eligible and ready select a testing window.

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4. Take the exam- Once you are authorized to test, schedule and take the exam at a testing.

4. Take the exam- Once you are authorized to test, schedule and take the exam at a testing.

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To maintain the certification, recertification is required every three years through documented professional development activities.

To maintain the certification, recertification is required every three years through documented professional development activities.

APTD or CPTD? What's the Difference?

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Get a quick view of Which Certification is for You? and then explore the details:

Get a quick view of Which Certification is for You? and then explore the details:

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  APTD covers a subset of the Talent Development Capability Model focused more on the knowledge statements. Compare the APTD and CPTD exam content outlines side-by-side here .

  APTD covers a subset of the Talent Development Capability Model focused more on the knowledge statements. Compare the APTD and CPTD exam content outlines side-by-side here.

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  While both the APTD and CPTD exams are application-based, the APTD exam covers a more foundational set of knowledge and skills than the CPTD exam.

  While both the APTD and CPTD exams are application-based, the APTD exam covers a more foundational set of knowledge and skills than the CPTD exam.

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  CPTD is focused on the organizational impact and strategy for talent development while APTD is focused on the foundational understanding of the scope of talent development solutions.

  CPTD is focused on the organizational impact and strategy for talent development while APTD is focused on the foundational understanding of the scope of talent development solutions.

Need to Convince Your Manager or Employer?

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Visit the Convince Your Employer to Support Your Certification Journey webpage dedicated to discussing the value of the APTD certification with your employer. Download a letter template to begin a discussion and share the key resources to gain their support.

Visit the Convince Your Employer to Support Your Certification Journey webpage dedicated to discussing the value of the APTD certification with your employer. Download a letter template to begin a discussion and share the key resources to gain their support.

Ready for the Details?

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For detailed information about the APTD credential, explore the Talent Development Capability Model and the APTD Certification Handbook below.

For detailed information about the APTD credential, explore the Talent Development Capability Model and the APTD Certification Handbook below.