If you deliver professional training, you may have considered having your courses CPD accredited. But what does CPD accreditation actually mean, what is reviewed during the accreditation process, and what should a training provider prepare before applying?
This guide explains CPD accreditation, how course review works and what training providers should expect when submitting professional learning for independent assessment.
What is CPD?
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It describes learning undertaken throughout a person's working life to maintain, develop and improve professional knowledge, skills and practice.
CPD can include structured courses, workshops, webinars, conferences, work-based learning, independent study and reflective learning. What counts as appropriate CPD can depend on the learner's profession, employer, regulator or professional membership body.
For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to Continuing Professional Development.
What is CPD accreditation?
CPD accreditation is an independent review of a professional learning activity against defined accreditation requirements.
A structured accreditation process should consider more than the title of a course or its marketing description. The evidence behind the learning activity should support what the course claims to provide.
Depending on the course, the review may consider:
- the purpose of the course;
- the intended audience;
- learning outcomes;
- course structure and learning materials;
- active learning time and claimed CPD hours;
- assessment and completion methods;
- learner resources;
- trainer, tutor or author competence where relevant;
- technical or professional sources where applicable; and
- certificate and completion arrangements.
Organisations interested in having a specific learning activity reviewed can read more about CPD course accreditation.
What does CPD accreditation mean?
When a course is successfully accredited, it means the named learning activity has been reviewed against the applicable requirements of the accreditation organisation.
The scope matters. Accreditation of one course should not automatically be interpreted as approval of every course an organisation provides. Similarly, provider approval and individual course accreditation are separate types of review.
How does CPD Qualifications assess a course?
CPD Qualifications™ uses an evidence-based review process. The purpose is to understand the actual learning activity and the evidence supporting it, rather than relying only on a course description.
You can see the complete CPD review process, but some of the main areas considered during a course review are explained below.
1. Course purpose and audience
The review considers what the course is intended to achieve, who it is designed for and whether any expected starting knowledge or experience has been identified where relevant.
2. Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes should explain what learners are expected to know, understand, apply or improve after completing the learning activity. The course materials should provide sufficient learning to support those stated outcomes.
3. Learning materials
Depending on how the course is delivered, evidence could include presentations, manuals, workbooks, handouts, scripts, recordings, exercises, reading material or digital learning content.
A course outline or sales page alone is not normally enough to demonstrate the complete learning experience. Providers should review our CPD evidence requirements before submitting their materials.
4. Learning time and CPD hours
Claimed CPD hours should reflect genuine active learning time. Depending on the activity, this may include teaching, guided learning, relevant reading, exercises, reflection and assessment.
5. Assessment and completion
Where a course includes an assessment, the assessment method should be appropriate to the learning outcomes being claimed.
For example, if a learning outcome states that a learner will demonstrate a practical skill, a knowledge-only multiple-choice test may not by itself provide sufficient evidence that the practical outcome has been achieved.
6. Trainer, tutor or author competence
Where subject expertise is relevant to the credibility or safety of the programme, supporting evidence relating to the trainer, tutor, author or technical contributor may be considered. This could include relevant qualifications, professional history, industry experience or other appropriate evidence of competence.
7. Technical and regulatory content
Courses covering technical, regulatory or safety-sensitive subjects may require stronger supporting evidence and additional scrutiny. Where a course makes specific legal, regulatory, technical or professional claims, the supporting sources and currency of the information may form part of the review.
What happens if a course does not meet every requirement?
An accreditation review does not necessarily have to result immediately in either approval or rejection.
Where something is missing, unclear or requires correction, the provider may be asked to supply additional information or revise the relevant material before a final decision is made.
Assessment findings may include:
- Major Non-Conformity — a significant requirement that must be addressed before approval.
- Minor Non-Conformity — an issue requiring correction or improvement.
- Further Evidence Required — insufficient evidence is currently available to reach a supported conclusion.
- Observation / Opportunity for Improvement — an area that could strengthen the programme but is not necessarily a condition of approval.
Where corrective action is appropriate, the process creates a clear evidence trail:
Finding → Provider response → Revised or additional evidence → Review → Resolution
Read more about how CPD Qualifications reviews evidence.
What evidence should a training provider prepare?
Before applying, a provider should prepare the complete current version of the learning activity it wants reviewed.
Depending on the course, evidence may include:
- course specification and learning outcomes;
- presentations, manuals and workbooks;
- learner resources;
- recorded or digital learning content;
- assessment questions or practical assessment materials;
- answer keys and marking criteria;
- pass and completion requirements;
- trainer or author competence evidence where relevant;
- technical or professional references where applicable;
- learner evaluation arrangements; and
- the proposed completion certificate.
See our complete evidence requirements before preparing an application.
What is the difference between course accreditation and provider approval?
Course accreditation reviews a named learning activity and the evidence supporting that particular course.
Provider approval considers the organisation behind the training, including areas such as responsibility, learner support, quality controls, record keeping and certificate management.
Provider approval does not automatically mean that every course offered by the organisation has been individually accredited.
Training organisations can learn more about CPD provider approval.
Is CPD accreditation the same as an Ofqual-regulated qualification?
No. CPD accreditation and regulated qualifications are different.
Continuing Professional Development supports ongoing professional learning. Accreditation of a CPD activity does not, by itself, create a regulated qualification, an RQF level or a licence to practise.
A course should therefore not be represented as an Ofqual-regulated qualification unless that status exists through a separate recognised route.
Read our guide to CPD and regulated qualifications.
Why have a course independently reviewed?
Independent review can provide an external assessment of the evidence behind a professional learning activity. It can also identify inconsistencies that may otherwise be missed.
For example, a learning outcome may not be adequately covered by the course content, an assessment may not measure the stated outcome, or certificate wording may go beyond what the learning activity actually demonstrates.
The value of accreditation should therefore extend beyond displaying an accreditation mark. A structured review creates a clearer relationship between the learning, supporting evidence, assessment and final accreditation record.
What happens after a course is accredited?
Accreditation relates to the course and scope that were actually reviewed. Providers should keep their accredited course information current and identify material changes that could affect the basis on which approval was granted.
Significant changes to learning outcomes, core content, delivery, assessment methodology, learning time or important technical information may require updated evidence or further review.
How to apply for CPD course accreditation
CPD Qualifications™ provides independent course accreditation for professional learning activities including courses, workshops, webinars, events and digital learning.
Before applying, review:
Accreditation is based on the evidence submitted and is not granted automatically simply because an application has been made.
Frequently asked questions
What is CPD accreditation?
CPD accreditation is an independent review of a professional learning activity against defined accreditation requirements, considering the evidence supporting the course and its intended outcomes.
What evidence is required for CPD accreditation?
Evidence may include the course specification, learning outcomes, manuals, presentations, learner resources, assessments, marking guidance, trainer competence evidence and completion certificate. Requirements vary according to the course and delivery method.
Does every course need an assessment?
Course accreditation relates to the specific learning activity submitted for review. Provider approval does not automatically mean every course offered by the provider has been individually accredited.
What happens if my course does not meet a requirement?
Where appropriate, CPD Qualifications may identify a finding, request additional evidence or allow corrective action before reaching a final accreditation decision.
Is CPD accreditation the same as an Ofqual-regulated qualification?
No. CPD accreditation does not by itself create an Ofqual-regulated qualification, RQF level or licence to practise.
Can online and video courses be CPD accredited?
Yes. Different delivery methods can be considered, including online learning, recorded courses, webinars, classroom training and blended learning, subject to appropriate evidence being available for review.
How do I apply for CPD accreditation?
Review the CPD Qualifications course accreditation process and evidence requirements, prepare the complete current version of the course and submit an accreditation enquiry or application.
