You know leave. CPDM adds the rest of the program.

FOR CLMS GRADUATES

Your leave expertise plus workers’ compensation, STD and LTD coordination, return-to-work program design, and the data to prove it works. That is the full picture employers are hiring for.

100% on-demand and self-paced. Three courses. Most people finish in 3 to 6 months.

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CLMS GRADUATE RATE

$1,480  $1,110

Full CPDM certification. You save $370.

Pay over time with Shop Pay Installments.

Not a CLMS graduate? All DMEC members qualify for the same rate. Contact us.

DMEC Partner Rate

25% off CPDM for CLMS graduates and DMEC members

17.75 SHRM + HRCI Credits

Per course. 53.25 credits across the full certification.

⭐⭐⭐⭐    4.7

Rating from verified CPDM student surveys

Training Since 1876

150 years of insurance and disability education

SHRM recertification provider badge logo for CPDM certification

IEA Training is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

HRCI 2026

HR Certification Institute’s® hrci.org official seal confirms that IEA Training meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.

CPDM picks up where leave management ends

You already handle the leave. CPDM makes you the person who owns the whole absence picture: what it costs, how people come back, and whether the program actually works.

What your CLMS already covers

You have the legal foundation and you use it every day. Employers rely on you to keep individual leave cases compliant and moving.

  • FMLA and state leave law
  • ADA and the interactive process
  • Leave administration and tracking
  • Case-level compliance

Where it stops

Leave is one input. The questions that follow it live in workers’ compensation, disability benefits, and return-to-work, and they land on your desk anyway.

“After an injury, an employee might talk to many departments and still not know about pay or job status. Confusion grows and time is lost.”

What CPDM adds

CPDM connects leave to everything around it, so you can design the program instead of administering pieces of it.

  • Workers’ compensation, STD and LTD coordination
  • Stay-at-work and return-to-work program design
  • Program metrics, cost, and reporting
  • Mental health and complex case leadership

From CLMS to CPDM

Azucena Coronel holds both the CPDM and the CLMS.

The Certified Professional in Disability Management gives you the tools to lead integrated leave, disability, and return-to-work programs. Build compliance confidence, reduce costs, and advance your career with the credential employers trust.

Enrollment Options

Go all in or earn your certification course by course

Most Popular

Full Certification

Complete the full professional certification program

Master Complex Regulations with Confidence

Navigate the intricacies of ADA, FMLA, and leave management. Gain the practical expertise to minimize risk, ensure compliance, and protect your organization’s reputation.

Lead Proactive People-Centered Strategies

Design and implement Stay-at-Work (SAW) and Return-to-Work (RTW) programs that reduce costs, speed recovery, and cultivate trust throughout your workforce.

Become a Trusted Authority

Position yourself as the go-to resource for disability and absence management. Influence policies, drive operational excellence, and shape a workplace where both employees and the business thrive.

Elevate Your Professional Brand

Stand out as a forward-thinking HR leader committed to creating healthier, more resilient workplaces. Enhance your credibility and advance your career with credentials that speak volumes.

CLMS graduate rate: $1,480 $1,110

Course by Course

Start with one course and upgrade later. Three courses at $412 each comes to $1,236, so the full certification saves you $126.

Foundations in Absence and Disability Management
Building Effective Absence and Disability Programs
Advanced Compliance and Case Management
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Who earns the CPDM

  • Human Resources Professionals
  • Disability & Leave Management Specialists
  • Risk Managers & Compliance Officers
  • Leave & Human Resources Administrators
  • Insurance & Benefits Professionals
  • Brokers and Consultants

Regularly Revised by Industry Experts

Backed by knowledge from leading legal and leave/accommodations practitioners

Ann Kuzee

Ann Kuzee

JD, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPDM, CHPSE
Vice President Legal, U.S. Absence and Disability Management at TELUS Health

a man smiling at the camera

Drew Barthel

MBA, CPDM
Principal – Global Benefits, Time Off & Accommodations at Nike

“For HR professionals, especially those considering a focus on disability management, the CPDM is invaluable. This certification equips you with specialized expertise, setting you apart and allowing you to make a meaningful impact in a growing field.”
proud woman smiling at the camera
Jasmine McKeown, CPDM, PHR
ADA Accommodations Senior Specialist
“CPDM gave me the tools to build stronger wellness and leave programs, and the confidence to advise organizations on complex employee needs. It’s a must-have for any HR professional seeking to lead in today’s evolving workplace.”
Taryn Johnson-Kline, SHRM-CP, CPDM
Taryn M Consulting

Student Testimonials

See how CPDM has helped other professionals in your position

“The IEA program not only provides a depth of knowledge and operational understanding of how to build an effective IDAM program, but how it can be a strategic partner within the organization.”
Assistant Deputy Director, HR
“It has pushed me to think more creatively and outside the box when evaluating accommodations, RTW options, and compliance solutions, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Hilda Juarez
“The training thoroughly covers fundamental ideas in integrated disability and absence management, offering a solid basis for both new and experienced professionals.”
Ebony Hodge

Look inside the course first

Take the free demo and see the platform, the lessons, and real course content. No obligation and no payment details.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a CLMS graduate,you’ve built a solid foundation in leave management – one of the essential elements in a successful disability and absence strategy. To advance your expertise and increase your strategic value within your organization, the next step is the Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM) offered by IEA Training.
 
CPDM takes your understanding of state and federal leave laws further by integrating them into a broader, systems-based approach known as Integrated Disability and Absence Management (IDAM). Earning the CPDM prepares you to manage the full spectrum of programs that affect employee health, productivity, and time away from work -including leave laws, disability benefits, ADA/FEHA, workers’ compensation, RTW/SAW programs, wellness initiatives, and organizational culture.
 
CPDM is designed for professionals who are ready to:
  • Move from tactical leave administration to strategic program leadership
  • Integrate compliance, benefits, and employee experience into a unified IDAM framework
  • Strengthen collaboration with HR, legal, risk, benefits, and leadership teams
  • Use data to drive decisions, improve outcomes, and demonstrate ROI
  • Support workforce well-being while reducing cost, risk, and administrative burden

It is already applied to the pricing on this page. There is no code to enter and no expiration date. Bookmark this page so you can come back to it whenever you are ready to enroll.

Not a CLMS graduate? All DMEC members qualify for the same rate. Contact us and we will send you the link.

CPDM stands for Certified Professional in Disability Management. It’s a specialized certification program that prepares professionals to lead and manage workplace disability and leave programs with confidence and compliance.

The CPDM program is designed for HR professionals, benefits administrators, risk managers, and anyone responsible for coordinating disability, leave, and return-to-work programs in the workplace.

You’ll learn how to navigate overlapping laws like FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Comp, build compliant leave programs, improve communication and coordination, and support both your organization and its employees through complex absence scenarios.

Yes. CPDM is 100% online and fully on-demand. There are no live sessions, no scheduled classes, and no start dates. You begin when you enrol and work at your own pace.

The full CPDM program includes three courses. Most participants complete the full certification in 3 to 6 months, depending on their pace and schedule.

The CPDM is a three-course, fully online program. Each course includes reading, case studies, scenario-based activities, quizzes, and a final exam. You’ll progress through CPDM 1, 2, and 3 in order, building from legal foundations to advanced case management and strategy. Most participants complete the full program in 3 to 6 months.

You do not need to purchase additional materials for CPDM. All necessary materials are included.

All quizzes, exams and assignments are included. Although you will have mid-terms and finals for each individual course, (CPDM1, CPDM2, and CPDM3), you do not need to take a cumulative exam at the end of the final course (CPDM3).

CPDM graduates must submit 6 continuing education hours per year to keep their certification in good standing. Once you have completed the program you will be entered into a CE tracker and your CE requirement will take effect for the following calendar year. For example, if you earn your CPDM this year, you must submit 6 CEUs  by December 31 of the following year.

Yes! IEA can help you optimize your budget. We have payment plan options at checkout. Simply choose the Shop Pay Installments option during enrollment and then choose the plan that’s best for you.

 

Yes. CPDM is a national certification. The coursework covers federal law and cross-state practice, and there are no state-specific requirements or filings attached to it.

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