Recognizing Experience & Expertise

Your Experience, Officially Recognized

Not all expertise comes from classrooms. Many professionals build their skills through years of practice, industry leadership, and hands-on achievements. ISTD’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Prior Experience Recognition (PER) frameworks ensure these competencies are formally validated, allowing you to gain ISTD certification without repeating training you’ve already mastered.

“Experience Counts. Let ISTD Recognize Yours.”

The RPL Process
(Application → Assessment → Recognition)

How RPL Works

ISTD’s RPL process is structured, transparent, and designed to honor your prior learning.

Steps :

1. Application – Submit your portfolio of evidence (training, work history, achievements).

2. Assessment – ISTD evaluators review your documentation and mapped competencies.

3. Competency Conversation – A professional dialogue to validate your expertise.

4. Recognition – Receive ISTD certification aligned to your demonstrated level.

Prior Experience Recognition (PER)

Recognition Beyond Formal Learning

PER is designed for professionals whose expertise is shaped by real-world experience rather than formal training. This ensures that skills developed through practice, leadership, and problem-solving are given equal weight to classroom learning.

Examples of Recognized Experience:

Leading corporate training projects.
Designing and delivering workplace learning solutions.
Professional contributions in coaching, leadership, or consulting.

“15 years of corporate HR experience → ISTD AssociateTrainer Certification.”

SME Certification (Subject Matter Experts)

Recognition for Industry Experts

ISTD’s SME Certification validates professionals as Subject Matter Experts—even if they do not hold traditional teaching or academic qualifications. This pathway celebrates career achievements, technical mastery, and industry impact.

Who Qualifies?

Senior managers, engineers, consultants, and professionals with 10+ years of proven impact.
Innovators and leaders contributing to industry standards and thought leadership.

Value of SME Certification:

Credibility – Formal recognition of authority in your field.
Career Mobility – Opens doors to consultancy, training, and leadership opportunities.
Global Validation – Proof that your expertise meets international standards.

Pathways of Recognition

Integrating Recognition with Certification

RPL, PER, and SME Certification are not standalone; they connect directly to ISTD’s broader framework:

Trainers can use RPL to fast-track progression through Certification Levels.
Professionals can gain SME Certification and later pursue micro-credentials.
All candidates can continue growth through CPD (Learning Credits) to stay current.