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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

Accelerate your readiness for the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) certification exam and earn the credential that proves your talent development capability. Get immediate access to customizable resources such as content modules, adaptive self-assessments, facilitated live online sessions, discussion boards, and study support tools including a timed practice test and full access to the online TDBoK™ Guide: Talent Development Body of Knowledge, second edition. The course is available on-demand for 12 months from your registration date.

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On Demand
Credits: CEU 2.8 MORE
Level: Informed
Role(s): Trainer/Facilitator More
Language(s): English
Capability Area(s): Training Delivery and Facilitation More

Pricing

$1,395
Member
$1,645
Nonmember
Course Info

This comprehensive learning experience gives you everything you need to get ready for the APTD—the certification for talent development professionals in the early parts of their careers or whose roles and aspirations are focused on foundational areas in the field. A flexible and self-paced approach gives you access to the content and resources immediately upon enrolling and for 12 months after to ensure you can prepare right up to your exam date. The course uses an adaptive, assessment-based... Read More

This comprehensive learning experience gives you everything you need to get ready for the APTD—the certification for talent development professionals in the early parts of their careers or whose roles and aspirations are focused on foundational areas in the field. A flexible and self-paced approach gives you access to the content and resources immediately upon enrolling and for 12 months after to ensure you can prepare right up to your exam date. The course uses an adaptive, assessment-based approach to allow you to customize your learning and dive into the content you need most to learn. With a robust set of microlearning resources tailored for busy professionals and with an expert facilitator and community of candidates, you will be guided through an end-to-end study path. Leave the course feeling confident to take the exam. (Please note, 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.)

The course presents the content from the Talent Development Capability Model and prepares you to prove your mastery of applying the knowledge on the exam. Through the development of short- and long-term goals and action items tied to exam preparation strategies, you’ll create an individualized study plan that identifies what you need to focus on to achieve your goal of becoming certified. 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. Course features include:

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. Move through the course at your own pace.

Expert-Led Discussions and Feedback. Participate in discussions, post questions, and connect with other participants to share knowledge and experience. Leverage the knowledge of your facilitator and peers to prepare for the credentialing 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.

Adaptive Self-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 media including videos, podcasts, infographics, checklists, job aids, and full access to the online TDBoK™ Guide: Talent Development Body of Knowledge, second edition—a comprehensive e-publication that is included in your registration fee.

Complete Practice Test. Practice the test-taking experience with a full-length timed practice test, taken in 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. Read Less

What Will you Learn
  • Core content from the TDBoK Guide that aligns to the exam specifications
  • Application of the content through stories 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

Learn More About the APTD

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

Access the Talent Development Capability Model

Action is easy when you have the right framework. Discover the knowledge and skills that will empower the growth and development of talent development professionals.

APTD Certification Preparation Course Brochure

Download the brochure to learn everything you need to know about this course.

Who Should Attend

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 to your career goals
  • meet the eligibility criteria for the APTD certification:
    • 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/adptd/eligibililty
    • 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.
Level: Informed
Roles: Trainer/Facilitator, Instructional Designer, Learning Technologist
Language: English
What Our Participants Are Saying
Jennifer Mohr
Jennifer Mohr, APTD
Learning & Development Project Manager

"The Preparing for 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."

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Laurie Zeller, APTD
Educational Program Associate

"The Preparing for the APTD: On-Demand Course helped me to confidently prepare for the APTD. The course software adapted questions as I answered and then guided me to the most appropriate topics I needed to review further."

Heather Reed
Heather Reed, APTD

“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.”

Facilitators
Aya Medhat, CPTD
Dana Vogelmeier, CPTD
Marla Albertie, APTD
Seema Menon, CPTD
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not sure if the APTD certification is right for me. Are there resources that will help me decide?
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 [email protected].
What will I get from a preparation course that I won’t get from studying on my own?
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.
What parts of the Talent Development Capability Model are covered on the APTD Certification Exam?
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 here.
How long will the course take me to complete?
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.
I want to take a practice test. Is that included in my preparation course enrollment?
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.
I want to participate in the live online sessions. How do I access them?
Sessions are open to all on-demand course participants and hosted via Webex. Complete details on each session, including how to join, are provided in the course.
What parts of the exam content outline do the live online sessions cover?
Each 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.
How often are live online sessions held?
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.
Will recordings of live online sessions be available?
Yes, a recording will be made available in the on-demand course following each session.
Will I get Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completing the preparation course?
Yes, you will receive 2.8 CEUs upon successful completion of this course.
Do I have to attend the live online sessions to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?
No, attending live online sessions is not required to successfully complete the course and receive CEUs.
Will I receive a certificate of completion for completing the preparation course?
No, certificates of completion are not awarded for preparation courses.
May I use the preparation course toward the professional development hours requirement for the APTD exam?
Yes, the APTD Preparation Course will provide 20 hours of learning toward the APTD requirement of 28 hours of professional development.
I am planning to take the APTD exam in the near future. What is the ideal time to start the preparation course?
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.
Once I enroll in the preparation course, how do I get access?
You will be able to launch the course after enrolling by visiting courses.td.org. 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.
How long will I have access to the on demand preparation course?
You will have access to the on demand course for 12 months from your registration date.
If I need to retake the APTD exam after my first attempt will I need to register and pay again for the preparation course?
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.
Am I able to access the course through an app? Is it available offline?
You may access the course via your ATD login at courses.td.org on any device. The course is not available offline.
Is the course available in languages other than English?
At this time the course is only available in English. For more information about global resources for the APTD certification, please contact [email protected].
Are there special rates for teams who want to enroll as a group for the preparation course?
Yes, please contact an ATD Enterprise Solutions Account Executive here for more information on how to receive special rates for group training.
Is the APTD exam fee included in the cost of the course?
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. See the APTD Exam page to learn more.
The online TDBoK Guide is included in my preparation course enrollment. How will I access that resource?
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

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

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.

CREDITS

28.0 Learning Hours

2.8 CEUs awarded

20.0 Professional Development Hours toward initial certification eligibility for the APTD credential from the ATD Certification Institute. Course must be completed before it can be reported.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

READY TO GET STARTED?

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

Click here to review our cancellation policy.