Learning and Development Certification Options to Boost Your Career

Training and development are a critical necessity in the modern workplace. The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2025 reveals that by 2030, 59 percent of the global workforce will require training. Additionally, 63 percent of employers view skills gaps among the most significant obstacles standing in the way of business transformation between 2025 and 2030 [1]. Further, data from LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report 2025 shows that 91 percent of learning and development professionals believe that training and continuous learning are critical for success in today’s rapidly evolving landscape [2]. 

Learning and development refers to initiatives and programs that help narrow skills gaps by providing upskilling, reskilling, and continuous learning opportunities. They can also help increase engagement and retention among workers, making these initiatives valuable for employees and employers alike. 

As a learning and development professional, you can have an impact on your organization’s growth and the overall satisfaction of its employees, many of whom will likely stay on board because of the training opportunities you provide. Pursuing learning and development certification may help you become a more competitive candidate when you’re job searching for yourself. It can also help establish you as an expert in the field, enhancing your credibility, demonstrating your commitment to training and development, and providing a pathway for your career growth. 

Explore some L&D certification programs, their requirements, and the potential benefits of earning a credential. 

What is learning and development certification?

These specialized credentials aim to help training and development professionals build and validate their skill set. They offer demonstrable evidence that you have the abilities and knowledge necessary to help businesses increase performance, bridge skills gaps, and attract top talent. It can also provide career opportunities and other benefits for you. 

Benefits of earning an L&D certification

Earning a learning and development certification can provide you with many advantages, including helping your resume stand out to employers and showing your dedication to continuing education. This is particularly notable if you’re considering changing careers or are new to the field. Training and development jobs are projected to grow 12 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the average [3]. 

Other benefits of obtaining training and development certifications include: 

• Build your expertise and develop relevant skills

• Earn credentials that can help employers view you as a trusted L&D advisor

• Prove you have the abilities necessary for an L&D position

• Open new opportunities for potential career advancement into leadership positions

• Stand out from other L&D professionals

• Establish your commitment to continuous learning 

5 training and development certifications to consider 

Choosing the right certification begins with examining your current knowledge base and your career goals. You’ll also need to consider the requirements of each, which often include having a few years of experience in the field, to ensure you qualify for the program. Check out a few popular options to begin planning your pathway toward certification.

Certified Learning and Development Professional (CLDP)

This credential from the American Institute of Business & Management aims to establish your knowledge of learning theory and instructional design principles. It also assesses your ability to design, implement, and evaluate training programs and initiatives, and helps strengthen your skills in fostering a learning-based company culture. 

Requirements: A bachelor's degree and two to five years of professional experience; case-by-case acceptance with no degree but extensive professional experience

Cost: $330 exam fee [4] 

Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)

This accreditation from the Association for Talent Development is geared more toward experienced learning and development professionals specializing in talent management. The required courses cover topics like leadership development, talent strategy, and coaching, and help support your expertise in critical thinking, professional judgement, and understanding the impact your talent development strategies may have on the broader organization.

Requirements: Minimum of five years of experience in professional talent development or a related field

Cost: $999 for ATD members and $1,500 for non-members [5].

ICAgile Certified Professional in Agility in HR (ICP-AHR)

This credential from the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) is a framework-neutral certification that focuses on your ability to support Agile transformation. It demonstrates your skills in several areas, including applying Agile practices within human resources (HR), developing a learning-based culture, and nurturing growth among individuals, teams, and the organization. 

Requirements: ICAgile lists no prerequisites; training providers may have stipulations

Cost: Varies depending on the course provider 

Certified Performance Technologist (CPT)

The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) issues this certification in recognition of consistent performance and expertise in the area of performance improvement. It’s a competency-based credential that requires no exam. Instead, you must provide proof of your mastery of ISPI’s 10 standards across multiple projects, along with statements from supervisors and clients. 

Requirements: 3 years of experience, competency in ISPI’s 10 standards, agreement with the organization’s code of ethics

Cost: $1,195 for non-members, $995 for non-members, $498 for students [6]

Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)

Training Industry designed this certification specifically for those working as a training manager. It focuses on the skills necessary for creating and managing corporate training programs and align training and development programs that align with company goals and objectives.

Requirements: None

Cost: $3,695 [7] 

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

One of two certifications from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the SCP credential is specifically geared toward senior-level professionals. It assesses your knowledge in leadership, driving company culture, and leading HR operations. 

Requirements: A minimum of three years in strategic HR or completion of at least 1,000 hours per calendar year working in strategic HR

Cost: $595 for members, $695 for non-members [8]

Who should consider a learning and development certification? 

Training and development professionals are just one of several categories of professionals who can benefit from earning an L&D certification. These credentials may also offer advantages if you work in HR and oversee employee training, oversee learning programs, work with learning technologies like educational software or learning management systems, or work as a business professional with a keen understanding of the value of continuous learning. 

You may also consider certification if you’re changing careers and moving from one business area into training and development or if you work as an L&D consultant. Certifications help establish your expertise and provide potential employers with assurance of your knowledge and skills in the field. 

Is learning and development certification worth it? A sample career progression

More than eight out of 10 employees believe that learning opportunities add value to their work [2]. That value stands for training and development professionals, too. Getting certified can help you enhance your own skills and contribute to your own career growth. As you embark upon your learning journey, consider the possible career progression you could enjoy in this field.

The salary information below is the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Training and development specialist

Median annual total pay: $71,000 [9]

This entry-level position typically involves the design and implementation of training programs. As a training and development specialist (also sometimes called a learning and development specialist, you may help middle and upper management create content for training programs. Earning a certification like the CPTM could help strengthen your leadership skills and proficiency in learning tools and methods to prepare you for a management-level position.

Training and development manager

Median annual total pay: $111,000 [10]

You may progress from an entry-level position to more senior roles before qualifying for this middle-management level job. At this point in your career, you will likely have gained some management experience and help oversee learning and development within the organization, including creating, implementing, and executing learning initiatives and measuring their success. A CLPD or CPTD credential may establish your expertise and add additional credibility to your resume. 

Chief talent officer 

Median annual total pay: $319,000 [11]

Once you’ve worked in learning and development for about 10 years, you’ll have gained the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary for this executive-level role. You will likely report directly to the chief executive officer (CEO) and oversee the entire organization’s training and development program(s). You may participate in developing training content and plans, oversee onboarding for new hires and exit interviews for those leaving, and ensure that all learning initiatives remain within the set budget. At this level in your career, or as you move up in management levels in your company, you might consider pursuing a CPT credential or the SHRM-SCP.

Build in-demand skills to prepare for learning and development certification on Coursera

Learning and development certification can provide you with an excellent opportunity to build your skills and showcase them to potential employers. First, consider building your skill set and committing to continuous learning in your own professional life. For example, you might bolster your leadership skills with options like the Leading People and Teams Specialization from the University of Michigan or become more familiar with artificial intelligence and its potential to help you with your work with the University of Pennsylvania’s AI for Business Specialization. 

You might also consider signing up for Coursera Plus, a subscription that can give you access to these learning opportunities and more than 10,000 other options on Coursera.