About the CPLP certification
How can a training professional prove further expertise in their field and find more opportunity for career development? The Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) credential is a nationally recognized certification developed by the American Society for Training and Development's (ASTD) Certification Institute to provide a way for workplace learning and performance professionals to prove their value to employers and to build confidence and industry recognition of their knowledge and expertise in the field.
Portland State University’s Training and Development program has partnered with ASTD to provide classes to assist candidates as they prepare for successful completion of the exam and work product required to achieve this certification.
The new CPLP on Campus program is ideal for individuals who learn best in an interactive environment with other committed professionals and who prefer a structured, collaborative process for preparing to take the exam and complete the work product requirements.
What is the CPLP certification?
CPLP is a national certification credential for learning and performance professionals offered by the American Society of Training and Development. The course is broad based and addresses nine areas of expertise as defined by the ASTD Competency Model:
- Designing Learning
- Delivering Training
- Improving Human Performance
- Measuring and Evaluating Learning
- Facilitating Organizational Change
- Managing the Learning Function
- Coaching
- Managing Organizational Knowledge
- Career Planning and Talent Management.
Who can apply and benefit from CPLP Certification?
If you have at least three years of industry-related experience and education, plus the desire to continue your professional development, then consider the CPLP credential.
Other individuals who might find the course content enriching include:
- Training and development professionals and alumni with experience in the field
- CPLP credentialed individuals seeking recertification credits
- Workplace Learning and Performance professionals (WLP) and related professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge base and skills
- WLP professionals seeking a broad overview of the field beyond their specialty
- Experienced professionals and managers who are newer to the WLP field
- Mid-level managers who would like to prepare themselves for a career change into the WLP profession
What can the CPLP do for me?
- CPLP is the only credential of its kind for workplace learning and performance in the field of training and development
- CPLP distinguishes you because it provides proof of your ability to demonstrate your knowledge of the theories behind the applications
- CPLP validates your expertise in learning and performance
- CPLP recognizes competent training professionals
- CPLP provides industry recognition of proven proficiency in workplace learning and performance
What does CPLP certification require?
- Experience―candidates must have at least three years of work-related experience.
- Knowledge―candidates must pass a competency testing process consisting of 150 multiple choice questions covering nine areas.
- Performance―Candidates must pass a work product assessment by submitting a sample of a recent work related project and essay responses that illustrate how they put their knowledge into action.
CPLP course format
How will you prepare and succeed on the CPLP exam and work product submission? This CPLP course is taught by a CPLP certified instructor who is also a faculty member in the Training and Development program at PSU.
By delving into the content of the nine areas of expertise, you will receive up-to-date preparation and first-hand information of how to succeed with the testing process and work product.
The classes are structured for participants to be able to take the exam in November or December and submit work products in March. The time commitment consists of a handful of Saturday face-to-face classes and online coursework.
Course schedule
FALL TERM, 2009WINTER TERM, 2010ELP 410/810 CPLP - Certified Professional in Learning and Performance Exam Prep (2 credits)
Instructor: Dan Vetter, CPLP, MS
Dates: Saturdays 9/26, 10/24, 11/21, (9am–4pm + online)
Fees: $969 for graduate credit, $565 for undergraduate credit
Discounted ASTD Learning System books included in fee additional $100
(Additional $100 discount for ASTD members)
ELP 410/810 CPLP Work Product Coaching Group (1 credit)
Instructor: Dan Vetter, CPLP, MS
Dates: Saturday 1/9, (9am–11am) and Saturedays 1/30 and 2/27 (9am-1pm)
Fees: $434 for graduate credit, $230.25 for undergraduate credit
(Additional $100 discount for ASTD members)
For additional information, please contact the program manager, Toni Plato, at plato@pdx.edu.
For more information about ASTD, go to www.astd.org. For CPLP certification information, go to www.astd.org/content/ASTDcertification



