For most of my career in training and development, I didn’t think much about certifications. When I first started my career in 2010, I was working in higher education as a faculty training specialist with a master’s degree in adult education. At the time, I was in my mid-20s and wasn’t aware of additional industry certifications. When I transitioned out of that role six years later into a position with a health care organization, the emphasis was primarily on certifications related to health care workers, and I still hadn’t heard of the Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM™) program. It wasn’t until 2023, when I was looking for a new role again, that I began exploring what becoming a CPTM entailed, as I was seeing it appear more frequently in job descriptions as a preferred qualification.
Ultimately, I wanted to make myself more marketable, but I was also interested, having worked in different companies with different training structures, in what I hadn’t yet seen. Were there other ways to structure learning and development (L&D) teams that were better? Different approaches to stakeholder management that work more effectively? In 2026, having been doing this for nearly 16 years at this point, I wanted to close any knowledge gaps and continue to grow my skill set, so I signed up to earn my credential.
Preparing for the Practicum
The prework can be time-intensive if completed thoughtfully and with intention. The 10 required modules were well-structured, and I appreciated the ability to self-pace without feeling overwhelmed. The initial email I received recommended starting these modules at least six weeks prior to the practicum, so I followed that recommendation and planned to complete two modules each week, by Friday. I did this by leveraging my work-from-home schedule to give myself quiet, focused time without distraction. The week before the practicum, I focused on reviewing areas where I felt less confident and revisiting the various models introduced throughout the curriculum — which were one of my favorite aspects of the program.
Many of my peers took copious notes when preparing for the CPTM practicum and exam; this was not my personal approach. Much of the content reinforced concepts I was already familiar with, but the curriculum gave me clearer language and frameworks to describe what I already knew and better ways to apply them. I also validated my knowledge by connecting the material to my real-life experiences. The notes I did take were more reflective, along the lines of “When I worked here, we had a decentralized training function.” Or, “This organization has a learner-focused setup.” This approach worked for me because I’ve worked in several different environments over the years, each structured differently. However, I wouldn’t recommend this approach for someone new to L&D or someone who has spent their career in one organization.
Additionally, while I was comfortable with many of the concepts, there was so much I was learning at the same time, both around these familiar concepts (“Oh! So that’s what it’s actually called!”), and brand-new concepts I’d never been exposed to in my current or prior roles. My experiences, up until this point, have been very limited with leveraging outside resources, for example, and so that module was largely new content for me. For these content pieces, I paid closer attention and reviewed the material a second time before the practicum began.
The prework concludes with a practice exam, which I chose to complete after the practicum. I also went into it without using notes or resources. I was curious to see how I would perform independently, and I would approach it the same way again. It helped me avoid a false sense of confidence and clearly identify my areas for improvement to get ready for the real exam.
The CPTM Practicum Experience
After completing the prework, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the practicum, but it turned out to be a great experience. It brought everything together in a way that felt practical and applied, rather than theoretical, especially through the group project. I was part of a group of 15, which I found to be an ideal size: large enough to learn from others, but still personal and engaging.
I chose to take the exam the Friday after our practicum week ended, while the content was still fresh in my mind. It was, for me, the perfect way to end the week and go into the weekend without the exam looming ahead of me. And being able to share that I had passed was exciting!
One of the biggest surprises for me was discovering how many ongoing resources are available now that I have my CPTM certification. Initially, I was worried I would need to find my own professional development opportunities to maintain my CPTM credential, but that hasn’t been the case. I love receiving weekly emails, regularly check the LinkedIn group and look forward to continuing to build connections with fellow CPTMs.
Real-World Application and Future Goals
While I hope this new credential will advance my career, even if it doesn’t happen immediately, the continuing professional development it offers will always provide new insights and add value.
For instance, I’m already using the Portfolio Rationalization Model for a project in my current role, and I’m looking forward to attending a roundtable that I’ve registered for about learning science and behavior change, a topic I can apply to my current and future work.
For the first time in my career, I feel like I have a clear, structured path for continued growth … and I’m excited to take full advantage of it.
Learn more about the certification leading the change in L&D.
