Pre-Approved Professional Development for Certification

Pre-Approved Providers

Pre-Approved Provider Program Overview

APTD and CPTD applicants and credential holders who are looking to satisfy their continuing education professional development requirements, can be confident in knowing these organizations' programs are eligible for credit.

Becoming a Pre-Approved Provider with ATD Certification Institute allows organizations who meet the qualifications and guidelines to provide initial and recertification APTD/CPTD credit for their programing.

Pre-Approved Provider status in no way conveys membership, sponsorship, or a role as an educational partner to offer ATD programming or as an ATD Professional Partner.

*Programming offered by Approved Providers that maps to content found in the Building Personal Capabilities domain cannot be reported toward initial certification eligibility requirements. Applicants are still responsible for making sure programming reported on their application adheres to all requirements*

Program Information

Qualifying programs include conferences, college or university courses, seminars, webinars, and e-learning programs offered by the applicant that meet the following qualifications:
- The provider must have the resources, facilities, and administrative support to effectively develop and deliver talent development-related programming.
- The provider must offer relevant high-quality programming, developed and presented by appropriate subject matter experts.
- The program content must be related to talent development as defined by ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model. See www.td.org/capability-model for details.
- Approval and credits are awarded based on the educational time spent on talent development-related topics at the rate of one point per contact hour.
- Meals, breaks, networking, pre-work and non-talent-development-related topics do not count towards contact hours.
- Pre-approved providers may calculate the number of hours based on the above guidelines at .5 per 30 minutes of instruction. Programs must be at least 30 minutes in length to qualify.
- Participants must be able to obtain proof of attendance or completion.
- Attendees will be responsible for obtaining proof of attendance and reporting the number of hours earned for programs where attendance is not taken at each session (eg: conferences).
- The organization will receive an ATD CI Pre-Approved Provider digital badge.
- Approved language to use when communicating pre-approval status in your marketing materials.
- Be included in our directory of Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) and Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) pre-approved providers posted on the website below with a link to your organization’s offerings.
1. Fill out the Pre-Approved Provider application with all necessary information.
2. Submit the application and provide three (3) current examples of program outlines, timed agendas and or syllabi to Recertification@td.org
3. ATD CI will provide confirmation of materials and begin the review process. This process may take 3-5 business days and the team will reach out with any questions.
4. Once approved, the organization will receive an invoice from ATD's Customer Care team for the Pre-Approved Provider fee.
5. Upon receiving payment, the organization will be issued a Pre-Approved Provider digital badge, official approval letter, and added to ATD's Pre-Approved education provider listing.
Providers who are currently accredited by IACET, and are in good standing, may participate in this streamlined recognition process which uses IACET accreditation to satisfy many ATD Certification Institute provider requirements.
Requirements to be eligible:
- The provider must be currently accredited by IACET.
- The provider must offer programming aligned with talent development capabilities as defined by ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model. (See www.td.org/capability-model for details.)
1. ATD CI will notify organizations approximately 30 days before the Pre-Approved Provider badge and status is due to expire. In the notification email renewal information and the most recent application will be provided.
2. Fill out the most recent application and provide three current examples of program material
3. Send the application and materials to Recertification@td.org for review and approval
4. Once approved, an invoice for the Pre-Approved Provider fee will be provided
5. Upon receiving payment, ATD CI will issue an official approval letter and updated digital badge
How much is the pre-approved provider fee?
$250 for non ATD Chapters.
$100 for ATD Chapters.
How long is the pre-approved provider status valid?
Pre-approved provider status is valid for one calendar year after approval.
Can I add programs that were not originally apart of my submission?
Yes, any program that corresponds to the Talent Development Capability Model and follows the guidelines in the application are applicable for credit.
How do participants receive credit?
For participants to receive credit for attending/participating in programs, all we require from our APTD and CPTD credential holders and initial certificants is to provide a confirmation email/completion certificate that they registered, attended, and completed the program.
How do I calculate hours/points?
Approval and credits are awarded based on the educational time spent on talent development-related topics at the rate of one point per contact hour. This is the same number of hours/credits that should appear on a certificate or confirmation of completion, if you provide one. Just the instructional hours would count toward the overall number of points earned.
How long do programs need to be to qualify?
Programs must be at least 30 minutes in length to qualify.
Where do I upload all my programs?
Since we do not review and approve every course or training opportunity offered by our approved providers, we entrust our providers to determine the number of hours for individual programs that align with the Talent Development Capability Model. If you are ever unsure of a programs eligibility, email recertification@td.org and we will gladly review the offering.
How can I get a logo to use once approved?
Status as an ATD CI Approved Provider does not convey or permit the use of any logo or image other than the ATD CI Approved Provider digital badge issued for the duration of the approval period of one year. Once approved and payment is received, ATD CI will create a Pre-Approved Provider digital badge for the organization through Credly. There will be instructions in the official approval letter on how to claim it.