Which Certification Is Right for You?
Content
The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) is designed for talent development professionals early in their careers or those building foundational knowledge . It focuses on understanding core concepts and applying them in day-to-day work.
The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) is designed for talent development professionals early in their careers or those building foundational knowledge. It focuses on understanding core concepts and applying them in day-to-day work.
Content
Professionals pursuing the APTD typically have at least three years of experience and 28 hours of qualifying professional development before applying. Want to learn more? Review the APTD Eligibility page.
Professionals pursuing the APTD typically have at least three years of experience and 28 hours of qualifying professional development before applying. Want to learn more? Review the APTD Eligibility page.
Content
To earn the credential, candidates must pass the APTD exam, which emphasizes foundational knowledge areas within the Talent Development Capability Model™. You can review the full exam content outline and explore how topics are covered to better understand what to expect.
To earn the credential, candidates must pass the APTD exam, which emphasizes foundational knowledge areas within the Talent Development Capability Model™. You can review the full exam content outline and explore how topics are covered to better understand what to expect.
Content
The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) is designed for experienced professionals who lead initiatives, influence strategy, and drive organizational performance . It reflects a deeper level of expertise and the ability to apply professional judgment in complex situations.
The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) is designed for experienced professionals who lead initiatives, influence strategy, and drive organizational performance. It reflects a deeper level of expertise and the ability to apply professional judgment in complex situations.
Content
Candidates typically have at least five years of experience and 60 hours of qualifying professional development (APTD credential holders may qualify with four years of experience) . Want to learn more? Check out the CPTD Eligibility page.
Candidates typically have at least five years of experience and 60 hours of qualifying professional development (APTD credential holders may qualify with four years of experience). Want to learn more? Check out the CPTD Eligibility page.
Content
To earn the CPTD, candidates must pass an application-based exam that focuses on skill and decision-making across the Talent Development Capability Model™. Reviewing the exam content outline and understanding the scope of the exam can help you prepare effectively.
To earn the CPTD, candidates must pass an application-based exam that focuses on skill and decision-making across the Talent Development Capability Model™. Reviewing the exam content outline and understanding the scope of the exam can help you prepare effectively.
Content
The APTD exam is application-based and focuses on foundational knowledge areas within the Talent Development Capability Model™, helping you apply core concepts in real-world situations.
The APTD exam is application-based and focuses on foundational knowledge areas within the Talent Development Capability Model™, helping you apply core concepts in real-world situations.
Content
> Talent Development Capability Model™ > APTD Exam Content Outline (ECO) > Content Comparison: APTD vs CPTD
> Talent Development Capability Model™
> APTD Exam Content Outline (ECO)
> Content Comparison: APTD vs CPTD
Content
The CPTD exam is also application-based but places greater emphasis on skill and ability statements, reflecting your ability to make decisions and drive impact at a strategic level.
The CPTD exam is also application-based but places greater emphasis on skill and ability statements, reflecting your ability to make decisions and drive impact at a strategic level.
Content
> Talent Development Capability Model™ > CPTD Exam Content Outline (ECO) > Content Comparison: APTD vs CPTD
> Talent Development Capability Model™
> CPTD Exam Content Outline (ECO)
> Content Comparison: APTD vs CPTD
Get To Know the Credentials
Discover the credentials that mark each stage of your talent development journey. Explore your options, compare requirements, and find the path that fits where you’re headed.
Which Credential is Right for You?
Content Credentialing Step Credentialing Step | Content Best For Best For | Content Experience Required Experience Required | Content Format Format | Content Outcome Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Content Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development | Content New or transitioning TD professionals New or transitioning TD professionals | Content None None | Content Assessment-based certificate program Assessment-based certificate program | Content Earn Practitioner in Talent Development (PTD) designation and 35 professional development hours Earn Practitioner in Talent Development (PTD) designation and 35 professional development hours |
Content APTD® APTD® | Content Experienced individual contributors Experienced individual contributors | Content At least 3 years in TD At least 3 years in TD | Content Certification Exam Certification Exam | Content Validate core TD knowledge and applied skills Validate core TD knowledge and applied skills |
Content CPTD® CPTD® | Content Experienced TD professionals with strategic expertise Experienced TD professionals with strategic expertise | Content AT least 5 years in TD, or 4 years for APTD holders AT least 5 years in TD, or 4 years for APTD holders | Content Certification Exam Certification Exam | Content Validate strategic TD expertise and organizational impact Validate strategic TD expertise and organizational impact |
Content
Show Your Talent Development Expertise
Earning a certification is a career milestone. Learn more about ATD’s two credentials for talent development professionals from Director of Credentialing Morgean Hirt, and hear about the value they provide from current credential holders.
Get the Support You Need to Move Forward
Why Get Certified?
Content
Discover how ATD certification can strengthen your credibility, expand career opportunities, and increase your impact in learning and development.
Discover how ATD certification can strengthen your credibility, expand career opportunities, and increase your impact in learning and development.
Get Your Questions Answered
Content
View the certification FAQs and join monthly mentoring calls and office hours to get answers, guidance, and support as you explore certification.
View the certification FAQs and join monthly mentoring calls and office hours to get answers, guidance, and support as you explore certification.
Research-Based Certification Study
Content
Discover data-driven insights from the ROI Institute study that demonstrate the real-world value and impact of certification.
Discover data-driven insights from the ROI Institute study that demonstrate the real-world value and impact of certification.
Employer Support for Your Certification
Content
Access tools and tips to help you demonstrate the value of certification and gain support from your organization.
Access tools and tips to help you demonstrate the value of certification and gain support from your organization.
Achieving Certification
Content
An assessment process where a professional meets prerequisites, such as role-specific experience and education, and successfully completes a formal assessment of the requisite knowledge and skills. The credential is a valid recognition that one meets a defined set of standards. The credential is maintained through a renewal process that requires demonstration of continued professional growth and knowledge of current practice.
An assessment process where a professional meets prerequisites, such as role-specific experience and education, and successfully completes a formal assessment of the requisite knowledge and skills. The credential is a valid recognition that one meets a defined set of standards. The credential is maintained through a renewal process that requires demonstration of continued professional growth and knowledge of current practice.
Content
APTD and CPTD Certification requirements include defined years of experience in talent development, hours of professional development , and passing a standardized examination .
APTD and CPTD Certification requirements include defined years of experience in talent development, hours of professional development, and passing a standardized examination.
Content
View How a Certification Exam is Developed
Earning a Certificate
Content
Education or training with specific learning outcomes for an area of knowledge, skill development, or defined competencies. Completion of the program may include an assessment and certificate of completion . These programs may be offered through learning institutions or employers. Earning a certificate does not lead to certification but can support preparation for certification. A few examples include: - The ATD Master Series Certificate program provides all of the professional development requirements for the APTD and CPTD Certification programs. - The Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development Certificate program provides 35 professional development hours for the APTD and CPTD Certification programs.
Education or training with specific learning outcomes for an area of knowledge, skill development, or defined competencies. Completion of the program may include an assessment and certificate of completion. These programs may be offered through learning institutions or employers.
Earning a certificate does not lead to certification but can support preparation for certification. A few examples include:
- The ATD Master Series Certificate program provides all of the professional development requirements for the APTD and CPTD Certification programs.
- The Essentials for Practitioners in Talent Development Certificate program provides 35 professional development hours for the APTD and CPTD Certification programs.
Contact the ATD CI Team
Content
Have a question? Contact us at certification@td.org .
Have a question? Contact us at certification@td.org.