Core content from the TDBoK Guide that aligns to the exam specifications Application of the content through stories and lessons learned from expert credential holders Approaches for studying and preparing for the APTD Certification Exam How to apply test-taking strategies covered in the course on the practice test to build your confidence

Why You Should Attend

Course Features: Content Review: Use your personalized study plan to go as in-depth as needed on targeted learning assets, each designed to cover a key area within the Talent Development Capability Model, allowing you to move through the course at your own pace. APTD Study Workbook: Keep your notes organized for review before the exam. Explore various ways to track your progress in the way most meaningful to you. Discussion Community: Participate in discussion boards, post questions, and connect with a community of your peers to share knowledge and experience. Exam Preparation Strategies: Get access to valuable study tips, guidance on setting goals and planning your study methods for maximum effectiveness, and approaches for optimizing your exam day experience. Pre- and Post-Assessments: Complete confidence checks to assess your readiness on the content and customize your experience with pre- and post-assessments that allow you to focus your time and energy where it will make the most impact. Interactive Scenario-Based Activities: Ensure your mastery of the concepts, theories, and models tested on the exam through a variety of interactive and reflective exercises. Learning Resources: Explore a range of engaging templates and tools, videos, podcasts, infographics, checklists, and full access to the online TDBoK™ Guide: Talent Development Body of Knowledge, second edition—a comprehensive e-publication included in your registration fee. Complete Practice Test: Practice the test-taking experience with a full-length timed practice test, taken on the same platform used for the APTD Certification Exam, and build the confidence needed to be successful. Live Online Sessions: Take a deeper dive into select capabilities when you participate in these facilitated sessions. Focus on how concepts are applied in a real-world, practical way.

This preparation course is ideal if you: Are in the early part of your career or in a role that’s focused on foundational areas in the field Have decided that a professional certification aligns with your career goals Meet the eligibility criteria for the APTD certification: Have at least three years of work experience in talent development AND either of the following: 28 hours or professional development within the last three years. For eligibility details, visit td.org/certification/aptd/eligibility. Have earned an ATD Master Program designation and would like to focus on gaining more in-depth knowledge of other capability areas in talent development. Any ATD Master Program completed in the last three years will count toward the full professional development requirement.

Individual Course

APTD® Certification Preparation Course

The complete APTD exam prep program that you can personalize and adapt to meet your study needs

Accelerate your readiness for the APTD certification exam with customizable resources, including content modules, self-assessments, live online sessions, discussions, a practice test, and access to the TDBoK™ Guide: Talent Development Body of Knowledge.

On Demand

MEMBER

$1,395.00

NON-MEMBER

$1,645.00

Have a group to train?Get a quote

APTD Prep On Demand: Course Info

This comprehensive learning experience gives you everything you need to prepare for the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) certification exam. The APTD is the certification for talent development professionals in the early stages of their careers or whose roles and aspirations are focused on foundational areas in the field. Upon enrolling, this flexible and self-paced course gives you immediate access to content and resources for 12 months to ensure you can prepare right up to your exam date.

The course content draws from the Talent Development Capability Model™ and prepares you to prove your mastery by applying your knowledge on the exam. By developing short- and long-term goals and action items tied to exam preparation strategies, you’ll create an individual study plan that identifies what you need to focus on to achieve your goal of becoming APTD-certified.

The course uses a flexible approach that allows you to put your study plan into action by diving into the content you need most to learn. With a robust set of microlearning resources tailored for busy professionals, stories from experienced credential holders, and a community of fellow candidates, you will find the support you need to complete an end-to-end study path.

You’ll also get access to a full-length practice test, allowing you to fully explore the types of questions to expect on exam day. You will leave the course feeling confident to take the exam.

Please note that the exam is administered by the ATD Certification Institute. You must meet eligibility requirements to take the exam, and the cost of the exam fee is not included in this course.

NEW! The APTD Study Workbook is now included free of charge. Designed to support your knowledge and confidence throughout your preparation journey, the Study Workbook also provides a space for keeping detailed notes on all content identified in the APTD Detailed Content Outline.

- Core content from the TDBoK Guide that aligns to the exam specifications
- Application of the content through stories and lessons learned from expert credential holders
- Approaches for studying and preparing for the APTD Certification Exam
- How to apply test-taking strategies covered in the course on the practice test to build your confidence
Course Features:
Content Review: Use your personalized study plan to go as in-depth as needed on targeted learning assets, each designed to cover a key area within the Talent Development Capability Model, allowing you to move through the course at your own pace.
APTD Study Workbook: Keep your notes organized for review before the exam. Explore various ways to track your progress in the way most meaningful to you.
Discussion Community: Participate in discussion boards, post questions, and connect with a community of your peers to share knowledge and experience.
Exam Preparation Strategies: Get access to valuable study tips, guidance on setting goals and planning your study methods for maximum effectiveness, and approaches for optimizing your exam day experience.
Pre- and Post-Assessments: Complete confidence checks to assess your readiness on the content and customize your experience with pre- and post-assessments that allow you to focus your time and energy where it will make the most impact.
Interactive Scenario-Based Activities: Ensure your mastery of the concepts, theories, and models tested on the exam through a variety of interactive and reflective exercises.
Learning Resources: Explore a range of engaging templates and tools, videos, podcasts, infographics, checklists, and full access to the online TDBoK™ Guide: Talent Development Body of Knowledge, second edition—a comprehensive e-publication included in your registration fee.
Complete Practice Test: Practice the test-taking experience with a full-length timed practice test, taken on the same platform used for the APTD Certification Exam, and build the confidence needed to be successful.
Live Online Sessions: Take a deeper dive into select capabilities when you participate in these facilitated sessions. Focus on how concepts are applied in a real-world, practical way.
This preparation course is ideal if you:
- Are in the early part of your career or in a role that’s focused on foundational areas in the field
- Have decided that a professional certification aligns with your career goals
- Meet the eligibility criteria for the APTD certification:
  Have at least three years of work experience in talent development
  AND either of the following:
  28 hours or professional development within the last three years. For eligibility details, visit
  td.org/certification/aptd/eligibility.
  Have earned an ATD Master Program designation and would like to focus on gaining more in-depth knowledge of other capability areas in talent development. Any ATD Master Program completed in the last three years will count toward the full professional development requirement.

Format

On Demand

Roles

Learning Technologist, Instructional Designer, Trainer/Facilitator

Capability Areas

Training Delivery and Facilitation, Instructional Design, My Career

Level

Capable

Language(s)

English

Credits

APTD 20

CPTD 20

CEU 2.8

Recognition

Letter of Completion

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Credits & Recognition

28 Learning Hours APTD Certification Preparation Course

2.8 CEUs

Additional Credits	Type	Credits
APTD Credential	Professional Development Hours/Recertification Points	20	More Info
CPTD Credential	Professional Development Hours/Recertification Points	20	More Info

Facilitators

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WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

Testimonials

"I chose ATD because I need to get certified [as an] APTD and I thought ATD was the best to help me! I got more than what I expected. [The course] opened my eyes to a new area that I really like (Learning Science). It helped me a lot with understanding adult learning and instructional design."

“Right away, as I began studying to become an APTD, I could apply the material to my work. Having a project to apply my studies to made all the difference. It made the material come alive.”

"The APTD On-Demand Course was the key driver in helping to prepare me for the APTD exam. Not only could I access it conveniently whenever and wherever I was, the workshop analyzed which areas I needed to focus on more. Without the workshop, I wouldn’t have been as prepared for the exam and the way the questions were worded."

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, please visit the APTD certification website for resources to assess your readiness.

You may also contact the certification institute team with any questions at certification@td.org.
The preparation course is designed to be a comprehensive learning experience that will give you the confidence you need to take the exam. You will receive:
- Customized learning that will allow you to dive into the content you most need to learn so you won’t waste time studying what you already know.
- Core content from the TDBoK Guide that aligns to the exam content outline.
- Application of the content through stories from expert credential holders.
- Approaches for studying and preparing for the APTD certification exam.
- Full-length, timed practice test that allows you to assess your readiness in real-time with instant feedback, including answer rationales.
- Opportunities to join live online sessions to discuss the application of select capabilities.
The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) is a credential 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 APTD focuses on a subset of capabilities from the Talent Development Capability Model and covers all three domains of practice:
- Personal Capabilities - 20%
- Professional Capabilities - 50%
- Organizational Capabilities - 30%
View the detailed APTD exam content outline.
The course uses an adaptive, assessment-based approach to allow you to customize your learning and dive into the content you most need to learn. Participants have access to the course content for a full year and can complete the sections according to their study plan. The preparation course provides 28 learning hours/2.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). We anticipate, however, that most candidates will spend more time on overall preparation for the exam. On average, candidates have reported spending 40-60 hours preparing for the APTD exam.
Yes, with the purchase of the APTD Preparation Course you will receive access to a complete practice test allowing you to rehearse the test-taking experience and build the confidence needed to be successful on the exam. Three fully timed test attempts are included with your course enrollment.
Sessions are open to all on-demand course participants and hosted via Adobe Connect. Complete details on each session, including how to join, are provided in the course.
ach session targets a specific capability and focuses on how to apply its concepts. Sessions also spend time examining practice questions and allow for Q&A with the facilitator. The select capabilities are emotional intelligence & decision making, collaboration & leadership, learning sciences, instructional design, technology application, organization development & culture, talent strategy & management, and data & analytics.
Two sessions are held per month, on average, biweekly, and each session repeats every three months. The full session schedule is available in the course. If you can’t attend a session that you’re interested in, don’t worry; you’ll have several more opportunities during the 12 months you have access to the course.
Yes, a recording will be made available in the on-demand course following each session.
Yes, you will receive 2.8 CEUs upon successful completion of this course.
No, attending live online sessions is not required to successfully complete the course and receive CEUs.
No, certificates of completion are not awarded for preparation courses.
Yes, the APTD Preparation Course will provide 20 hours of learning toward the APTD requirement of 28 hours of professional development.
Every candidate is unique, but we recommend allowing a minimum of six months to study for the exam. If you are newer to the profession, you may want to add additional time. Learn more about the APTD Certification.
You will be able to launch the course immediately upon enrolling via your ATD login at MyATD. Please note it could take up to 15 minutes after enrollment for your course to appear. A notification with detailed instructions will also be sent to your email.
You will have access to the on demand course for 12 months from your registration date.
You will receive a 12-month subscription with the purchase of the APTD preparation course. During that timeframe, you may access the course as many times as needed.
You may access the course via your ATD login at MyATD on any device. The course is not available offline.
At this time the course is only available in English. For more information about global resources for the APTD certification, please contact certification@td.org.
Yes, in fact, we recommend it. To learn more about special discounts for you and your team, contact Katrina Blake at kblake@td.org or schedule a meeting.
Yes, please contact an ATD Enterprise Solutions Account Executive for more information on how to receive special rates for group training.
No, the exam fee, which covers 18 months of eligibility (once approved) and one test authorization, is not included in the cost of the preparation course. Visit the APTD Exam page to learn more.
You will access the complete online TDBoK Guide through ATD’s Bookshelf application (available through a link within the preparation course) or smaller sections via links to specific learning references throughout the course so you can easily read further about a particular topic. Detailed access instructions will be provided in the course.

Things to Know

Full completion of the on-demand program within the 12-month access period is mandatory in order to receive CEUs. Participants who complete all aspects of the program will see their completion status reflected on their transcript in MyATD. 
If applicable, a certificate will be issued through MyATD at the end of the program.
 A laptop computer with Wi-Fi capability is recommended to access all on-demand courses. For the best learning experience, we suggest using the Chrome browser.
Once your registration is complete, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to log in and access the course in MyATD. Visit MyATD to check your course status and enrollment details, view credits, or download your certificate if applicable.
Transfers/Cancellations
Review our cancellation policy.
ATD Health and Safety Policy
View our health protocols for in-person courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have additional questions about ATD courses? Visit our FAQs for answers.

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APTD® Certification Preparation Course

The complete APTD exam prep program that you can personalize and adapt to meet your study needs

APTD Prep On Demand: Course Info

What You Will Learn

Why You Should Attend

Who Should Attend

Credits & Recognition

Facilitators

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

I am not sure if the APTD certification is right for me. Are there resources that will help me decide?

What will I get from a preparation course that I won’t get from studying on my own?

What parts of the Talent Development Capability Model are covered on the APTD Certification Exam?

How long will the course take me to complete?

I want to take a practice test. Is that included in my preparation course enrollment?

I want to participate in the live online sessions. How do I access them?

What parts of the exam content outline do the live online sessions cover?

How often are live online sessions held?

Will recordings of live online sessions be available?

Will I get Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completing the preparation course?

Do I have to attend the live online sessions to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Will I receive a certificate of completion for completing the preparation course?

May I use the preparation course toward the professional development hours requirement for the APTD exam?

I am planning to take the APTD exam in the near future. What is the ideal time to start the preparation course?

Once I enroll in the preparation course, how do I get access?

How long will I have access to the on-demand preparation course?

If I need to retake the APTD exam after my first attempt will I need to register and pay again for the preparation course?

Am I able to access the course through an app? Is it available offline?

Is the course available in languages other than English?

May I purchase the preparation course at the same time I enroll in the APTD certification exam?

Are there special rates for teams who want to enroll as a group for the preparation course?

Is the APTD exam fee included in the cost of the course?

The Talent Development Body of Knowledge is included in my preparation course enrollment. How will I access that resource?

Things to Know

Completion Requirements

Technical Requirements

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