Clear responsibility
The provider should identify who owns the training, who maintains it and who is responsible for quality, learner communication and approval claims.
See provider evidenceCPD Provider Qualifications for training organisations.
Provider approval looks at the organisation behind the learning: the people, records, learner support and controls that protect the CPD claim.
Start with the right approval route.
Send a short outline of the course, provider or assessor request. The assessment office will confirm which route applies and what evidence is needed before review begins.
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What approved providers receive.
Approval gives the organisation a clear set of provider records for public use and independent verification. The examples show how the approval can be presented once review is complete.
- A personalised provider approval mark carrying the organisation's provider approval number.
- A certificate of provider approval recording the approved organisation, award date and certificate reference.
- A public provider profile in the approved-provider directory so learners and employers can check the organisation's current record.
- A course list within that profile showing every course that receives separate course accreditation from CPD Qualifications™.
Provider approval covers the organisation. Courses are added to its public profile only after each named course completes the separate course accreditation process.
View approved provider profiles
The review is about how training is managed.
CPD Provider Qualifications is for organisations that deliver professional learning and want their provider controls reviewed. It is not only a logo check. The assessment looks at whether the provider can take responsibility for what is delivered, how learners are supported and how completion records are kept.
A provider may be a specialist trainer, college, employer learning team, membership body or international organisation. The size of the provider matters less than the clarity of its responsibilities and records. For organisations operating outside the UK, our international CPD guidance explains document preparation, local requirements and the scope of approval.
This route is appropriate when the organisation behind the training needs approval. It does not automatically accredit every course the provider delivers, and the provider licence must be renewed every 12 months to remain current.
Already checking an organisation? Find an approved provider or centre and view its current course listings, or verify its approval ID.
Provider approval should protect the learner experience.
The review considers named responsibility, tutor or author competence, joining information, learner support, complaints handling and policies where they are relevant to the subjects delivered.
Records are just as important as the training itself. A provider should be able to show how attendance, completion, corrections, certificate numbers and renewal dates are controlled.
That record discipline is part of what gives provider approval value. It helps learners and employers understand who is responsible for the training and how the certificate trail is protected after completion.
Read provider evidence requirementsThree foundations of dependable provider approval.
The review connects organisational responsibility, the learner experience and the records kept after training. Each part should support the others.
Dependable learner support
Joining information, accessibility, questions, complaints and completion requirements should be clear enough for learners to know what to expect.
See how review worksControlled records and certificates
Attendance, completion, assessment results, certificate numbers, corrections and approval references should be recorded consistently and remain verifiable.
See certificate routesProvider approval and course accreditation can work together.
Provider approval checks the organisation. Course accreditation checks the named learning activity. Many organisations use both when they want their internal controls and their individual course materials to be clear.
The distinction is important. A provider approval does not automatically mean every future course has been reviewed. Where a particular course needs approved CPD wording, course logo use or learner certificate wording, the course file should be assessed in its own right.
Individual course reviews are scoped separately from provider approval and are charged in addition where they are needed. This gives learners and employers a cleaner record: who delivered the learning, what was reviewed and what can be stated on the certificate.
Explore course accreditation
What provider approval does and does not cover.
Provider approval confirms that the organisation and the reviewed controls behind its professional learning meet the provider route. It can support clearer communication with learners, employers and partners by identifying who is responsible for delivery and records.
Approval should be used only by the organisation named on the record. It should not be transferred to another business, delivery partner or franchise unless that arrangement has been reviewed and confirmed.
Provider approval does not make every course an approved CPD course. A named course needs its own accreditation when its materials, CPD hours, course approval mark or learner certificate wording must be reviewed.
It also does not turn professional development into an Ofqual-regulated qualification or guarantee acceptance by every employer or professional body. Learners should check any requirements that apply to their role.
Compare CPD and regulated qualificationsRenew your provider licence every 12 months.
A provider licence runs for 12 months. Contact the assessment office before the expiry date on the approval record so there is time to confirm the renewal information and deal with any changes.
Renewal checks that the approved organisation is still operating with suitable responsibility, learner support, quality controls and records. It is also the point at which current organisation details and responsible contacts are confirmed.
Changes to ownership, delivery arrangements, learner support, policies, certificate controls or responsible people should be reported when they happen. Material changes should not be held until the annual renewal.
A renewal enquiry does not extend approval. If the licence expires, current provider approval claims and marks must stop until renewal is confirmed. Individual course approvals continue to follow their own records and dates.
Read the provider licence termsQuestions about provider approval.
Common questions from organisations preparing a provider qualification enquiry.
How often must a provider licence be renewed?
Provider licences must be renewed every 12 months. Contact the assessment office before the expiry date on your approval record. If approval expires, stop using current provider approval claims and marks until renewal is confirmed. Individual courses have separate approval records.
What does provider approval check?
Provider approval checks the organisation behind the training, including responsible people, learner support, quality control, record keeping and certificate issue.
Does provider approval accredit every course?
No. Provider approval reviews the organisation. Individual course accreditation is separate where named course materials, CPD hours, logo use on a course and learner certificate wording need approval.
Do individual courses have to be paid for separately?
Yes. Provider approval and individual course accreditation are scoped separately. If a provider wants specific courses approved, those course reviews are confirmed and charged in addition to provider approval.
Can a small provider apply?
Yes. The provider does not need to be large, but it should be able to show who is responsible, how learners are supported and how records are controlled.
What documents are usually needed?
Typical evidence includes organisation details, tutor or author background, learner support information, policies, completion records and certificate controls.
What if the provider changes during the licence period?
Changes to responsible contacts, ownership, learner support, certificate controls or the way approved training is managed should be reported when they happen. Material changes should not be held until annual renewal.
