Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge in a specific subset of the learning and development (L&D) industry, credential your L&D management experience, or gain the skills you need to build new programs that meet evolving objectives at your organization, earning a learning and development certification may be the place to start. Take a look at our collection of corporate training certifications for you to consider.
Every professional, no matter the industry, will hit a point in their careers where they need new specific skills to reach the next step. As a learning and development leader, you’re an expert in identifying these areas for others and ensuring they have the proper training resources, but it’s important to also pay attention to your own learning needs.
“As L&D professionals, performing a skill-gap analysis is ingrained in us, yet we often don’t think about performing one on ourselves to figure out if a certification is even necessary,” says Sarah Cannistra, a former L&D leader who’s now a career coach and founder of The Overnight Trainer, a career consultancy for L&D professionals.
How to Find the Best Corporate Trainer Certification Programs
When advising clients on whether or not pursuing a corporate training certification is the right decision, Cannistra asks three questions:
- Do you know your L&D niche?
- What skills does that niche require?
- Do you need a certification, or do you need to upskill by reading a book or joining a professional community?
“If there are enough skills that need to be developed, and there is a certification that covers the majority of them, that is when I typically recommend a certification of some degree,” she says.
Similarly, Terry Jones, a global career coach who previously led L&D teams, recommends exploring learning and development certification programs as ways to advance in your career, showcase your skills when seeking new opportunities, and gain expertise in a new area. “The opportunities for networking and community involvement that come with the certification can be invaluable, providing broader insights into the industry and aiding in professional growth,” he says.
In general, when researching learning and development courses and certifications, be sure to consider the source. Jones notes, “The reputation and accreditation of the issuing institution are crucial, as these factors can impact the perceived value of the certification in the professional marketplace.”
Then, think about your personal needs and goals. The right certification program comes down to its alignment with your L&D niche. “I caution against pursuing certifications that don’t directly support the individual’s career strategy or might result in a scattered professional profile, leading to a lack of depth in any one area,” Jones says.
The following list includes training certifications delivered by L&D industry organizations as well as programs geared specifically toward the chief learning officer role. For easy navigation, click on a certification below to jump to its specific details.
Agile Certification for HR and L&D
This certification is intended to prepare and equip HR and L&D leaders to apply an Agile approach to employee development. Coursework includes education on the framework and applications of the Agile methodology applied to the recruiting and onboarding process, change management initiatives, organizational structures, and adaptive learning.
- Organization: Training Industry
- Format: Virtual, live course dates
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: Three half-days
- Cost: $1,895 regular; $1,516 for Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)-holders
AIHR Learning & Development Certificate Program
In this self-paced certification program, online learning modules cover topics in L&D strategy, digital learning design, skills gap analysis, coaching, and learning analytics. Course material is updated for relevancy, incorporating ways to engage millennials, retain talent, and enable digital transformation. The certificate is geared toward L&D specialists and culminates in a graded capstone project. Learners have 12 months to complete the program, but most do so in three to four months.
- Organization: Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR)
- Format: Virtual, self-paced
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: 23.5 hours (must be completed within 12 months)
- Cost: $975
Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
Geared toward professionals with three to five years of experience in talent and development, the APTD professional certification shows a learner’s foundational knowledge and skills around ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model. That includes building personal capability, developing professional capability, and impacting organizational capability. There is no organized coursework; to earn the certification, learners must pass a two-hour, multiple-choice exam.
- Organization: Association for Talent Development (ATD)
- Format: Two-hour exam at a testing center or via remote proctoring; recertification required every three years
- Prerequisites: Three years of work experience in talent development or a related field; 28 hours of completed professional development in the talent development field
- Time Commitment: Two hours plus study time
- Cost: Exam fee is $499 for members, $699 for nonmembers
Certified Leadership Development Strategist (CLDS)
Focused specifically on leadership development programs, this certificate is achieved by completing three phases: multiple-choice questions on competencies, scenario-based questions requiring written responses, and the demonstration of a real-world application. Course materials include a resource guide filled with use cases and research to aid in completing the three phases. Most learners complete the certification in three months, and it must be renewed every two years.
- Organization: Brandon Hall Group
- Format: Virtual, self-paced
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: 40 hours (must be completed within 12 months)
- Cost: $995
Certified Learning Strategist (CLS)
This certificate has a specific focus on developing a learning journey. It is achieved by completing three phases: multiple-choice questions on competencies; scenario-based questions requiring written responses on identifying a business need and developing and delivering a solution; and the demonstration of a real-world application. Course materials include a resource guide filled with use cases and research to aid in completing the three phases. Most learners complete the certification in three months, and it must be renewed every two years.
- Organization: Brandon Hall Group
- Format: Self-paced, virtual
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: 40 hours (must be completed within 12 months)
- Cost: $995
Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
This certification showcases a talent development professional’s knowledge, application, and organizational decision-making related to ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model. Geared toward professionals with at least five years of professional experience in the talent development industry, there is no organized coursework. To earn the certification, you must pass a three-hour exam meant to measure your ability to design, implement, and evaluate talent development programs.
- Organization: Association for Talent Development (ATD)
- Format: Three-hour exam at a testing center or via remote proctoring; recertification required every three years
- Prerequisites: At least five years of professional experience in talent development; 60 hours of professional development in talent development content completed within the last five years
- Time Commitment: Three hours plus study time
- Cost: Exam fee is $975 for members, $1,350 for nonmembers
Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)
Designed to showcase your L&D management skills, the CPTM certificate is achieved by completing three parts: 10 e-learning modules, a team-based practicum, and an online exam. The learning modules cover topics such as creating business alignment, leveraging learning technologies, and performing a needs analysis to identify solutions. Practicum dates must be scheduled in advance, during which you and other learners develop a training solution for a real-world business problem.
- Organization: Training Industry
- Format: Online learning; three virtual half-days for the practicum; 2.5-hour online exam
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: Most learners complete the certificate in two months
- Cost: $3,495
Certified Talent Management Strategist (CTMS)
Designed to evolve L&D professionals’ strategies for managing talent management programs, the CTMS certification involves three phases: multiple-choice questions on competencies; scenario-based questions requiring written responses; and the demonstration of a real-world application. Course materials include a resource guide filled with use cases and research to aid in completing the three phases. Most learners complete the certification in three months, and it must be renewed every two years.
- Organization: Brandon Hall Group
- Format: Self-paced, virtual
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: 40 hours (must be completed within 12 months)
- Cost: $995
Chief Learning Officer Executive Certificate
This hands-on program aims to advance L&D leaders’ knowledge and best practices for developing their organization’s talent strategy. Topics include financial and regulatory concerns related to L&D, transformational organizational leadership, value propositions and strategic planning, and talent measurement practices. Courses are taught by learning design and learning technology professors as well as corporate talent directors and CLOs.
- Organization: George Mason University
- Format: Hybrid (in-person sessions are held on campus in Fairfax, Va.)
- Prerequisites: Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience; six or more years in L&D; instructional design expertise; learning program management experience
- Time Commitment: Five months with seven days of on-site attendance
- Cost: $8,500
Certificate in Designing Online Learning (CDOL)
Focused specifically on developing virtual learning courses, the Learning Performance Institute delivers the lessons for this certificate through online workshops and self-directed assignments. The live workshops walk you through the process of designing online learning, including how to make your program interactive and using virtual conference technology. Earning the CDOL certification requires a portfolio review with a course facilitator.
- Organization: Learning Performance Institute (LPI)
- Format: Cohort-based online learning and self-directed learning
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: 18 hours of live online courses, 22 hours of independent learning; about 10 weeks total
- Cost: Not listed
Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF)
Focused specifically on the facilitation of online learning — including courses, webinars, and virtual conferences — the program is delivered in a mix of live workshops and self-directed learning. A 30-minute live assessment, which is evaluated by the course facilitator, is required to earn the COLF certificate.
- Organization: Learning Performance Institute (LPI)
- Format: Cohort-based online learning and self-directed learning
- Prerequisites: None
- Time Commitment: 18 hours of live online courses, 22 hours of independent learning; about 10 weeks total
- Cost: Not listed
Penn Chief Learning Officer Ed.D.
Culminating in a doctorate degree, this Penn Chief Learning Officer graduate school program is geared toward chief learning officers and senior-level L&D professionals looking to develop their human capital leadership and L&D expertise. The rigorous doctor of education curriculum includes five course blocks: leadership, learning, business, evidence, and technology. Each block meets for two one-week sessions, in person or online, and asynchronously delivers other coursework, including writing assignments, field projects, and group projects. The final step is researching, writing, and defending a dissertation.
- Organization: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
- Format: Two separate weeks of in-person or virtual classroom training each semester/course block; additional coursework is delivered asynchronously
- Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree and five to 10 years of work experience
- Time Commitment: 19 courses, completed in six course blocks over three years, plus dissertation research
- Cost: Approximately $31,600 per course block for the first five blocks, and $33,880 for the sixth block, for tuition and fees (including hotel and meal costs)
Succession Planning and Talent Development (SPTD) Certification
Aimed to help leaders create strategic succession plans, the SPTD certification covers topics such as aligning with organizational goals, understanding current talent needs, using data to identify leaders, evaluating succession planning objectives, and measuring retention and readiness. The two days of virtual courses are complemented by additional videos and research materials, and certification requires a multiple-choice exam. To renew your certification, you must complete 60 Human Capital Institute course credits every three years.
- Organization: Human Capital Institute (HCI)
- Format: Virtual
- Prerequisites: Not listed
- Time Commitment: Two days
- Cost: $1,995
Other Learning and Development Certification Programs to Consider
In addition to the certifications on this list, ATD has a number of specialized certifications for learning and development professionals, ranging from e-learning instructional design to articulate storytelling, which vary in length and location. Cannistra also notes that certifications adjacent to the L&D industry can be beneficial in developing new skills, such as the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.
Ultimately, the best corporate trainer certification program for you is one that aligns with your career trajectory, delivers new skills and knowledge, and is provided by a reputable and accredited institution.
Do you know of a learning and development certification that should be added to this list? Email us at editor@seniorexecutive.com.
Our Senior Executive L&D editors are always adding to our collection of resources for L&D leaders like you. From a glossary of L&D terms to awards to apply for, visit our additional resources to find ideas and inspiration.
