Build Your Training Skills. Strengthen Your Credibility. Pursue International Trainer Certification.

TrainSMART’s 3-Day Train-the-Trainer Certification Program is a highly interactive professional development experience for trainers, facilitators, learning professionals, and subject matter experts who want to become more confident and effective at designing and delivering training.

The program is certified by the International Board of Certified Trainers (IBCT). Successful completion of TrainSMART’s three-day program satisfies the professional education component associated with the applicable IBCT certification pathway.

Participants receive a TrainSMART Certificate of Completion and may then apply for an eligible IBCT professional trainer credential, subject to IBCT eligibility and application requirements.

3-Day Program | 3.5 CEUs | Hands-On Practice | Recorded Delivery | IBCT Certification Pathway

View Upcoming Certification Dates | Request Private Group Training

What Is Train-the-Trainer Certification?

Train-the-Trainer certification is designed to help professionals strengthen the skills required to plan, design, facilitate, and evaluate effective adult learning.

TrainSMART’s program combines instructional design, adult learning principles, facilitation techniques, audience engagement, classroom management, training delivery, and structured feedback in a practical three-day learning experience.

Participants do more than study training concepts. They apply them.

Throughout the workshop, participants work with instructional design tools, practice facilitation techniques, develop training content, and complete a final recorded training presentation that incorporates techniques learned during the program.

TrainSMART’s curriculum is designed for professionals responsible for creating and delivering workplace learning, including both experienced trainers and those new to training.

TrainSMART and the International Board of Certified Trainers

How Does the IBCT Certification Pathway Work?

TrainSMART’s Train-the-Trainer program is certified by the International Board of Certified Trainers.

Completion of TrainSMART’s three-day program satisfies the professional education requirement associated with the applicable certification pathway. Participants who wish to pursue an IBCT professional designation must then complete the applicable IBCT application and eligibility requirements.

TrainSMART provides the training.

TrainSMART documents successful program completion.

IBCT reviews and awards the applicable professional certification.

Important: Completing TrainSMART’s three-day program does not automatically mean a participant has been awarded an IBCT professional credential. Participants must complete the applicable IBCT application process and meet the requirements for the credential they are pursuing.

TrainSMART Certificate of Completion vs. IBCT Certification

Credential	TrainSMART Certificate of Completion	IBCT Professional Certification
Issued By	TrainSMART	International Board of Certified Trainers
When Earned	After successfully completing the TrainSMART program	After completing applicable IBCT requirements and receiving approval
Purpose	Documents successful completion of TrainSMART’s Train-the-Trainer program	Provides an independent professional trainer credential
Separate Application Required	No separate IBCT application required for the TrainSMART certificate	Yes
Potential Professional Designation	Not applicable	May include AT, CPT, or CT/HRDC depending on eligibility

Who Should Attend Train-the-Trainer Certification?

This program is designed for professionals responsible for helping others learn.

What You Will Learn

The three-day Train-the-Trainer program develops skills across the full training lifecycle.

Adult Learning Principles and Audience Analysis

Learn how to better understand the people you are training and adapt your approach based on audience needs, knowledge, experience, and participation.

• Adult-learning principles
• Audience analysis
• Motivation
• Developmental stages of learning
• Social and solitary learners
• Communication differences
• Cultural considerations
• Participant engagement

Instructional Design

Effective training begins before anyone enters the classroom.

Participants learn how to structure training around clear learning goals and observable outcomes.

• Instructional design fundamentals
• ADDIE
• Backward design
• Performance objectives
• Task analysis
• Training needs
• Instructional strategies
• Active versus passive learning
• Evaluation
• Training structure

Facilitation and Delivery Skills

Participants strengthen the practical skills required to lead engaging learning experiences.

• Presenter, trainer, and facilitator roles
• Communication skills
• Questioning techniques
• Listening
• Participation
• Motivation
• Classroom dynamics
• Difficult participant situations
• Body language
• Time management
• Room setup
• Training aids
• Presentation slides
• Virtual training

Practice and Feedback

Train-the-Trainer should involve more than listening to someone explain the training.

Participants are expected to apply what they learn.

The workshop is highly interactive, with approximately 70% of the program devoted to activities, hands-on application, practice, and feedback.

Participants develop and deliver training using a topic of their choice and complete a recorded practice session. The goal is to help each participant apply the methods learned during the workshop in a realistic facilitation setting.

This Is Not a Lecture-Based Train-the-Trainer Program

Learn by Designing, Practicing, and Facilitating

TrainSMART’s Train-the-Trainer program is structured around active participation.

• Analyze: Consider the needs, experience, and proficiency of the people you are training.
• Design: Create learning objectives, instructional strategies, and training materials.
• Practice: Apply facilitation and delivery techniques throughout the workshop.
• Deliver: Present a short training session using the methods learned during the program.
• Receive Feedback: Use facilitator and peer feedback to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

What You Will Create During the Program

Participants leave with more than notes from a three-day workshop.

What Resources Do Participants Receive?

Participants receive resources designed to support both the three-day experience and future training responsibilities.

• Participant guide
• Training job aids
• Instructional design templates
• Interactive exercises and scenarios
• Training forms and supporting resources
• Everything DiSC® assessment completed as pre-work
• Recorded practice session
• TrainSMART Certificate of Completion
• Access to TrainSMART’s Community of Practice
• Post-workshop virtual coaching session

How the IBCT Certification Process Works

Step 1: Complete TrainSMART’s 3-Day Train-the-Trainer Program

Attend the full program and successfully complete the required exercises, training activities, and practice components.

Step 2: Receive Your TrainSMART Certificate of Completion

Participants who successfully complete the program receive documentation of their TrainSMART Train-the-Trainer participation.

Step 3: Prepare Your IBCT Application Materials

Participants pursuing an applicable IBCT credential prepare the documentation required for their certification application.

• Copy of a valid photo ID
• Copy of highest level of education or diploma achieved
• Current résumé
• Three-year high-level professional development plan
• Signed IBCT Code of Ethics
• Signed certification application
• Copy of the TrainSMART Certificate of Completion

Step 4: TrainSMART Reviews the Application Package

TrainSMART reviews participant materials to help ensure required documentation is in order before submission to IBCT.

Step 5: Application Is Submitted to IBCT

Completed participant application materials are submitted for review.

IBCT determines whether the applicant satisfies the requirements for the professional designation being pursued.

Step 6: Receive the Applicable IBCT Credential

Official certification is typically received approximately 3 to 6 weeks after a completed application package has been submitted.

Individual processing time may vary.

IBCT Certification Levels

Depending on education, professional experience, and applicable IBCT eligibility requirements, participants may pursue designations including:

AT — Associate Trainer

An applicable professional trainer designation within the IBCT certification framework.

CPT — Certified Professional Trainer

The CPT designation requires additional educational qualifications. Individuals interested in pursuing CPT should review the applicable requirements and determine whether their educational background satisfies the criteria.

TrainSMART can help participants understand the documentation and next steps involved in pursuing CPT.

CT/HRDC

Eligible professionals may also pursue the applicable CT/HRDC designation depending on their experience, education, and certification qualifications.

Because certification requirements may vary by designation, participants should confirm the current requirements associated with the credential they intend to pursue.

Upcoming Train-the-Trainer Certification Dates

Choose an upcoming 3-Day Train-the-Trainer Certification workshop and begin strengthening your instructional design, facilitation, and training delivery skills.

Location	Dates	Format	Registration
Chicago, IL	September 14–16, 2026	In-Person	Register
San Diego, CA	November 17–19, 2026	In-Person	Register
Atlanta, GA	November 11–13, 2026	In-Person	Register
Chicago, IL	October 10–12, 2026	In-Person	Register
Richmond, VA	November 4–6, 2026	In-Person	Register
Phoenix, AZ	November 9–11, 2026	In-Person	Register
Nashville, TN	December 1–3, 2026	In-Person	Register
Irvine, CA	December 8–10, 2026	In-Person	Register

Prefer Live Virtual Train-the-Trainer?

TrainSMART also offers a live virtual Train-the-Trainer program for professionals and distributed teams who prefer instructor-led online training. The virtual train-the-trainer workshop is not eligible for IBCT international certification. Participants seeking certification should consider taking the in-person train-the-trainer program.

Need Certification for a Group?

Organizations can also request a private Train-the-Trainer program for groups of internal trainers, facilitators, and subject matter experts.

Request Private Train-the-Trainer Pricing

Why Trainer Certification Matters

Training professionals are often responsible for far more than presenting information.

They may need to:

• Transfer technical knowledge
• Build employee capability
• Facilitate difficult conversations
• Train new hires
• Teach complex processes
• Support compliance
• Develop future leaders
• Prepare employees for new technology
• Create consistent training across multiple locations

Professional certification can help demonstrate a commitment to recognized training standards and ongoing professional development.

For trainers, facilitators, and learning professionals, certification may strengthen professional credibility, differentiate their qualifications, and provide employers or clients with greater confidence in their professional preparation.

Why Choose TrainSMART for Train-the-Trainer Certification?

There are many Train-the-Trainer courses available.

TrainSMART’s approach is designed around one central idea:

Trainers Become Better by Practicing Training

An IBCT-Certified Program

TrainSMART’s three-day Train-the-Trainer program is certified by the International Board of Certified Trainers.

Practical Application

Approximately 70% of the workshop focuses on activities, practice, and feedback.

Training Design and Delivery

Participants work on both sides of effective training: what is designed before the session and what happens when the facilitator is in front of the learners.

Recorded Practice

Participants conduct a training presentation that can be recorded and used as part of their professional development.

Facilitator Feedback

Participants receive structured feedback to help identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Post-Workshop Support

TrainSMART provides continued resources designed to support development beyond the classroom.

What Is Included in the Train-the-Trainer Certification Fee?

The certification program fee includes a comprehensive learning and development experience.

• Three days of instructor-led training
• Participant training materials
• TrainSMART training toolkit
• Job aids and templates
• Everything DiSC® assessment
• Interactive scenarios and activities
• Video recording of participant practice sessions
• TrainSMART Certificate of Completion
• TrainSMART Community of Practice membership
• Post-workshop virtual coaching session
• Light breakfast and lunch during applicable in-person training days
• Applicable IBCT certification fee or discounted certification fee according to current program terms

View Upcoming Dates & Pricing

How Long Does IBCT Certification Take?

Once the TrainSMART program has been completed and all required IBCT application materials have been submitted, official certification is typically received within approximately 3 to 6 weeks.

Processing times may vary based on application completeness, certification level, and IBCT review.

Does IBCT Certification Need to Be Renewed?

IBCT certification requires recertification every three years.

Professional trainers should maintain documentation of their continuing professional development and follow the current IBCT requirements associated with renewal of their credential.

Need to Certify Multiple Internal Trainers?

Build a Stronger and More Consistent Internal Training Team

Organizations frequently rely on internal employees to train others.

Those employees may be:

• Subject matter experts
• Technical specialists
• Operations leaders
• HR professionals
• Learning professionals
• Training managers
• Department leads
• Field instructors

Technical expertise does not automatically translate into training effectiveness.

TrainSMART can deliver private Train-the-Trainer programs for organizations that need to develop multiple internal trainers and create greater consistency across teams, facilities, departments, or locations.

Private Train-the-Trainer programs can support needs such as:

• Preparing subject matter experts to become trainers
• Standardizing trainers across locations
• Building internal trainer certification programs
• Improving technical training delivery
• Strengthening onboarding instructors
• Developing operational trainers
• Improving facilitation consistency
• Creating a repeatable internal training standard

Request Private Train-the-Trainer Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TrainSMART’s Train-the-Trainer program IBCT certified?

Yes. TrainSMART’s three-day Train-the-Trainer program is certified by the International Board of Certified Trainers.

Does completing TrainSMART’s program automatically make me IBCT certified?

No. Participants receive a TrainSMART Certificate of Completion after successfully completing the program. Individuals pursuing an IBCT professional designation must also satisfy the applicable application, eligibility, and approval requirements.

What is the difference between the TrainSMART Certificate of Completion and IBCT certification?

The TrainSMART Certificate of Completion confirms successful completion of TrainSMART’s Train-the-Trainer program. IBCT professional certification is a separate credential issued by the International Board of Certified Trainers after its application and approval process.

How long is the Train-the-Trainer certification program?

The TrainSMART certification program is delivered over three days.

How much of the program is hands-on?

Approximately 70% of the workshop is devoted to activities, application, practice, and feedback rather than traditional lecture.

Do participants have to deliver training during the workshop?

Yes. Participants develop and deliver a short training session that allows them to apply the concepts and facilitation techniques developed during the program.

Is the participant practice session recorded?

The program includes video recording of applicable participant practice sessions so participants can review their delivery and receive feedback.

Which IBCT credential can I pursue?

Potential designations may include AT, CPT, or CT/HRDC depending on the applicant’s education, professional background, experience, and current IBCT eligibility requirements.

How long does certification processing take?

Official IBCT certification is typically received within approximately 3 to 6 weeks after a complete application package has been submitted.

Does certification need to be renewed?

Yes. IBCT certification requires recertification every three years.

Can companies certify multiple internal trainers?

Yes. TrainSMART can deliver private Train-the-Trainer programs for organizations developing groups of internal trainers, facilitators, and subject matter experts.

Build the Skills to Train With Greater Confidence

Effective trainers do more than know their subject.

They understand their learners. They design with clear outcomes in mind. They facilitate rather than simply present. They create opportunities for participation and practice. And they continuously improve based on feedback.

TrainSMART’s 3-Day Train-the-Trainer Certification Program gives trainers, facilitators, learning professionals, and subject matter experts an opportunity to strengthen those skills while completing an IBCT-certified professional education program.

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