You’re one step away from earning two industry-recognized certifications while learning the Career Thought Leaders Positioning Framework.
Through seven live, interactive sessions, you’ll complete the branding process yourself while learning the coaching strategies, tools, and activities to guide clients through the same process.
Two Lifetime Certifications
Earn both the Certified Personal Branding Strategist (CPBS) and Certified Digital Branding Strategist (CDBS) credentials, with no ongoing renewal requirement.
The Career Thought Leaders Positioning Framework
Learn a practical coaching process for guiding clients from discovering what they want to be known for through positioning, communication, visibility, and opportunity.
Client-Ready Coaching Tools
Get worksheets, exercises, coaching questions, and frameworks you can use with clients to explore their brand, audience, positioning, stories, digital presence, visibility, and thought leadership.
Hands-On Practice + Individualized Feedback
You’ll complete the branding process yourself, including your Personal Branding Profile, Brand Foundation Statement, stories, messaging, digital presence, and visibility strategy. You’ll receive instructor feedback as you refine your work.
10.5 Hours of Live Training
Seven 90-minute interactive sessions with time for coaching discussions, practice, feedback, and learning from career professionals around the globe.
Continuing Education
10.5 hours qualify toward NCDA CCEs.
Verified Digital Badges
After successfully completing the program requirements, you’ll receive CPBS and CDBS digital badges through Credly.
Plus, get practical tools to build your business!
This program goes beyond giving you tools to help clients. You will receive tools to help you create a sell a personal branding program, worksheets to use with clients, and a bonus session on pricing and packaging services.
Course Schedule & Module Content
The live and self-paced classes include the following modules. The live webinar class is offered every February and August.
Session 1 - Tuesday, August 18, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Clarify your professional identity, define your audience, and begin identifying what you want to be known for using coaching tools and AI-assisted audience research.
Session 2 - Tuesday, August 25, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Connect your audience and expertise to develop your Digital Drivers, Brand Foundation Statement, and a clear positioning strategy.
Session 3 - Tuesday, September 1, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Build your Brand Story Portfolio and develop compelling stories, messaging, networking introductions, and your professional bio.
Session 4 - Wednesday, September 16, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Apply your positioning across LinkedIn, websites, and other digital platforms while learning coaching strategies for profile reviews and digital positioning.
Session 5 - Tuesday, September 22, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Help clients overcome the mindset barriers to visibility while creating authentic networking, relationship-building, and visibility strategies.
Session 6 - Tuesday, September 29, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Develop a sustainable content strategy using AI, thought leadership, speaking, newsletters, and practical content planning without feeling like you have to post every day.
Session 7 - Tuesday, October 6, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
Create a 90-day action plan to strengthen your professional brand, build influence, and turn visibility into long-term career and business opportunities.
BONUS Business Building Session
Putting it all together to build your business and put together a program offering for your clients or organization
Join live or catch the recording. All seven sessions are recorded, so you can keep moving if you need to miss a class.
Complete the work between sessions. You’ll apply what you’re learning to your own brand, giving you firsthand experience with the same process you’ll use with clients.
Get individualized feedback. Submit designated assignments for instructor review and feedback as you develop your positioning and messaging.
Use the tools with clients. Your course materials include practical activities and resources designed to support your branding and positioning work with clients.
Earn both credentials. Complete the certification requirements and receive your lifetime CPBS and CDBS credentials and Credly badges.
After payment you'll receive:
Your registration confirmation and receipt
Login information for the course portal
Access to course materials and pre-work
Details for joining the live sessions
Instructions for completing your certification requirements
You do not need to be a member to obtain or maintain certification. Members (CTL Associates, Career Industry Authorities) and coaching program graduates can find their discount links in the members area or email us for the code.
Deeper discounts are available for groups of 4+. Email [email protected] for details.
To pay by check, complete the form at this link instead of the form below.
Enter Your Info to Become a Certified Personal & Digital Branding StrategistJoin the Live Webclass Starting August 2026
Payment
Why your colleagues love the CPBS program...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are lifetime certifications?
Our certifications require no annual renewal fees or membership to maintain the designation. (This does not include the Microcredentials, which do require renewal).
How quickly can I get started?
You'll receive an email to join the live course starting in August 2026. You will have lifetime access to the recordings. Look for an email from marie (at) mail.careerthoughtleaders.com
The mission of Career Thought Leaders Consortium is to advance and professionalize the career industry, improving career management, leadership development, and career agility of professionals worldwide.
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