If you’re in the training and development field like me, you have probably heard about our new certification - Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP). This credential designates the earner as having not only knowledge of various human performance and development topics but also the ability to apply that knowledge. A difference between our certification and the PHR/SPHR of our HR colleagues is that once we pass the exam, we are only halfway there. We must go on to submit a work product - more on that later.
The certification covers nine “areas of expertise” (AOEs):
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Designing Learning
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Delivering Training
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Improving Human Performance
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Measuring and Evaluating
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Facilitating Organizational Change
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Managing the Learning Function
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Coaching
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Managing Organizational Knowledge
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Career Planning and Talent Management
To prepare for the certification, you can purchase the ASTD Learning System, which is a 
collection of reference books covering each of the AOEs. I used the kit during my own preparation and created flashcards, one for each learning objective. (I ended up with several hundred of them!) Since then, ASTD “stole”<grin> my idea and now markets its own set of flashcards. 
If I had to do it again, most likely I would purchase the flashcards and then use the internet to research the topics.
I did find the online practice exam very valuable and would recommend it to every candidate. You can order it through the ASTD Certification Institute site.
There are so many more resources available now then when I was preparing. If you respond well to working and studying with others, you can join a study group. The ASTD-Cascadia chapter is piloting a group for the upcoming May-June exam window.
A group called Owl’s Ledge has a website full of resources - most require membership (for a monthly fee) but several are free. I especially like their puzzles!
I think the most important piece of advice I can offer is to set a study schedule and allow plenty of time. I took my test in October and began my preparation in July, creating a schedule that allowed about one week per AOE plus some review time. I knew if I didn’t set some structure around my studying the time would fly by and I would suddenly be in “cram mode,” which doesn’t work well for me.
In my next posting, I’ll discuss the work product. Until then, I’d love to hear from those of you who are currently preparing for the exam or who have questions about it.
