A New Era for Kirkpatrick Certifications: Why We’re Moving to a Maintenance Model

Embracing Change to Elevate Professional Excellence

For decades, Kirkpatrick certifications have stood as a gold standard in learning and development, equipping professionals worldwide with the tools to evaluate training impact and demonstrate organizational value. As the field evolves, so must we. That’s why we’re introducing a significant shift: moving from a traditional recertification model to a modern certification maintenance model.

This isn’t just a procedural change—it’s a thoughtful evolution that reflects the pace of today’s professional landscape. It’s about keeping your certification meaningful, current, and respected.

Why We’re Making the Shift

The world of work is rapidly changing. New technologies, shifting job roles, and increasing demands for performance measurement mean that skills must be continually sharpened. Kirkpatrick-certified professionals are known for their excellence, and we want to ensure that reputation remains intact.

To support this, we’re introducing a maintenance model that encourages continuous learning and professional growth. By staying active, certified professionals signal their ongoing commitment to high standards and real-world impact.

What This Means for You

Under this new model, your certification remains valid. However, to keep it active, you’ll need to complete certain activities and earn maintenance points over time. These might include professional development, training, webinars, or other contributions to the learning and performance community.

If maintenance requirements are not met, your certification will be labeled inactive. You’ll still be recognized for having completed the certification, but it will reflect that it is not currently being maintained.

The Benefits of Certification Maintenance

Maintaining an active certification offers many advantages:

• Career Credibility – Shows that you’re keeping pace with a fast-moving field.
• Professional Growth – Encourages structured and ongoing development.
• Industry Recognition – Reinforces the strength and reputation of the Kirkpatrick credential.

What You Can Expect During the Transition

We know change can raise questions, so we’ve developed a full support plan. For more information and a guide, please see the following page.

For the first 300 who recertify, you will receive a Kirkpatrick evaluation toolkit. This toolkit (valued at $495) includes customizable tools and templates such as surveys, interview questions, rubrics, etc.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing:

• Webinars and Q&A sessions to walk through additional details
• Helpful resources including FAQs, checklists, and point-tracking tools

We’re here to make this transition as smooth and beneficial as possible.