UK Qualifications Authority

Continuing
Professional
Development

Verify, manage, and track CPD certificates with confidence. Trusted by organisations across 100+ countries — your professional development, validated.

100+ Countries
1000s Accredited
All Sectors
Understanding CPD

What is CPD Accreditation?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has emerged as a vital pathway for both individuals and organisations in every industry sector. In today's world of rising competition, fast-paced technological advancements, and constant workplace changes, CPD plays a crucial role in keeping professionals updated and future-ready.

CPD Accreditation provides an independent, professional, third-party evaluation of training courses, events, and structured learning activities — ensuring they meet the widely recognised CPD industry standards.

Training Courses & Workshops

Subject-specific, accredited learning lasting from a day to several weeks — classroom, online, or hybrid delivery.

eLearning & Webinars

Flexible, on-demand digital programmes that eliminate travel barriers and attract international participation.

Seminars & Conferences

Interactive, knowledge-sharing sessions providing networking opportunities with peers across sectors.

Types of CPD Learning

  • 🎓
    Structured / Active Learning
    Accredited courses, certifications, workshops, seminars, and online modules.
  • 📖
    Reflective / Self-Directed Learning
    Industry journals, webinars, research, case studies, and professional writing.
  • 🏢
    Experiential / Work-Based Learning
    Mentoring, project participation, role rotations, and new technology adoption.

💡 Best practice: At least 50% of CPD activities should be completed through structured/active learning. A blended approach leads to better knowledge retention and practical application.

Why It Matters

Benefits of CPD Accreditation

Accreditation adds measurable value to training programmes, giving organisations a competitive edge and learners a mark of quality, credibility, and reassurance.

01
Increase Interest

CPD accreditation serves as an endorsement that your learning materials meet trusted professional standards — attracting the right audience and boosting enrolment.

02
Competitive Advantage

Stand out in the marketplace by showcasing expertise and knowledge. Recognition leads to greater revenue, stronger reputation, and new growth opportunities.

03
Higher Quality Standards

The accreditation process itself raises the standard of learning materials, with expert feedback and a structured framework for continuous improvement.

04
Wider Professional Network

Connect with a broader community of professional peers, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and visibility within a global CPD ecosystem.

05
Organisational Development

Embedding CPD encourages a culture of continuous learning — strengthening skills, improving engagement, and reducing staff turnover.

06
International Recognition

With CPD members in over 100 countries, accreditation offers global recognition and credibility, supporting international reach and influence.

Who Benefits

CPD Accreditation for All Organisations

The CPD Certification Service provides accreditation to a wide spectrum of organisations, enabling them to formalise their expertise into a structured, recognised approach to learning.

Credibility & Trust — Membership shows your learning activities meet globally recognised standards.

Quality Assurance — Every programme is independently assessed for structured learning with clear outcomes.

Recognition & Prestige — A respected badge of excellence helping your organisation stand out.

Global Reach — Thousands of CPD-accredited programmes delivered worldwide each year.

Value for Learners & Providers — Reassures learners while boosting enrolment and long-term engagement.

Apply for Accreditation →
🏛️

Educational Institutions

  • Universities & further education colleges
  • Professional training academies
  • Educational institutes & schools
🏢

Corporate & Training Bodies

  • Small consultancy firms
  • Large training companies
  • Multinational corporations
🎪

Events & Public Sector

  • Conference & event organisers
  • Local authorities & councils
  • Government departments

CPD Certified Courses & Accreditation Verification

Search our comprehensive directory of accredited CPD courses and verified training providers

🔍 Search Now
How It Works

The CPD Assessment Process

All CPD learning materials are assessed against a structured, universally recognised checklist to ensure quality, transparency, and measurable impact.

📥
Step 01
Submission

Submit training materials, course outlines, or event details — including lesson plans, slides, and eLearning content.

⚖️
Step 02
Independent Review

Impartial CPD assessors review all submissions to ensure credibility and complete transparency.

📑
Step 03
Benchmarking

Checked for educational value, coherent structure, clear learning objectives, and professional relevance.

💡
Step 04
Feedback

Constructive advice provided to help organisations refine and strengthen training materials.

🏆
Step 05
Certification

Course officially accredited as CPD certified — organisations can now promote and issue certificates.

⏱️

Typical Timeline: 2–6 Weeks

From submission to approval, provided all documents are complete. The exact timeframe depends on the size and complexity of the organisation and training materials.

Online Platform

Check CPD Cert — Your Digital CPD Record

A smart online platform designed to help professionals manage, track, and log their CPD activities with ease — accessible anytime, anywhere.

🔒
Secure & Reliable

Instant verification with reduced risk of fraud or document loss — no physical copies needed.

Fast & Convenient

Eliminate paperwork and validate credentials anytime, anywhere with a single certificate number.

🌍
Trusted & Recognised

Strengthens credibility for professionals, employers, and regulators worldwide in 100+ countries.

🖥️ Create Your CPD Account

Manage & Track Your CPD

Join Our Network

Become a CPD Certified Centre

Becoming CPD accredited demonstrates a genuine commitment to quality learning and professional growth. It provides organisations with credibility, recognition, and a competitive edge.

🏫
Training Providers & Consultants
🏛️
Universities & Colleges
🏢
Multinational Corporations
🎪
Event & Conference Organisers
🏛️
Local Authorities & Government
📊
Professional Associations

After accreditation, providers receive official CPD certification, use of the CPD Provider logo, guidance on best practices, access to CPD tracking tools, and ongoing compliance support. Accreditation is typically valid for 12 months.

Apply to Become a CPD Certified Centre

Complete the form below and our team will be in touch to guide you through the accreditation process.

Learning Methods

Different Methods of CPD Learning

A blended approach combining multiple learning methods leads to better knowledge retention, stronger engagement, and practical application of skills.

📚

Training Courses

Subject-specific skill-building courses lasting from a single day to several weeks. Available classroom-based, online, or in hybrid formats.

Structured, focused, and often accredited
💬

Seminars

Short, intensive sessions (a few hours to one day) in smaller groups, with interactive discussions and excellent networking opportunities.

Encourages deeper specialised understanding
🛠️

Workshops

Hands-on, interactive learning over 1–3 days. Emphasise practical skills through activities, role plays, and real-world exercises.

Strengthens problem-solving abilities
💻

Webinars

Virtual sessions accessible to a global audience — short, focused, and highly convenient. Eliminates the need for travel.

Flexible, cost-effective, ideal for current trends
🎤

Events & Conferences

Large-scale events featuring keynotes, panel discussions, and breakout sessions providing exposure to diverse perspectives.

Thought leadership & industry networking
🌐

Online Courses

Self-paced, on-demand learning accessible anytime, anywhere. Affordable compared to in-person training, with wide global accessibility.

Continuous learning without work disruption
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

The CPD Cycle is a structured framework with five stages:
  1. Identify Your Needs — Assess gaps in skills or knowledge.
  2. Plan — Select relevant activities to meet those needs.
  3. Act / Do — Undertake CPD learning.
  4. Reflect — Review what you've learned.
  5. Implement — Apply new skills in professional practice.
Most professional bodies set annual CPD requirements measured in hours, but some use points or credits. Typically, the conversion is: 1 CPD Hour = 1 CPD Point = 1 CPD Credit. Activities may include training courses, eLearning, or participating in events and workshops.
CPD-accredited training has been independently reviewed and certified against international quality standards. Accreditation ensures the course is structured and educational, meets globally recognised benchmarks, and delivers clear learning objectives. Our CPD certifications are recognised in 100+ countries.
The Check CPD Portal is a free online tool for logging, tracking, and verifying CPD activities. Professionals can manage their CPD records. Employers, recruiters, and authorities can verify certificates instantly. It provides a secure and transparent way to validate learning achievements.
CPD is relevant to all professionals across all industries. Traditionally required by regulated sectors (law, healthcare, education), CPD is now embraced globally across both public and private sectors — regardless of career level, job role, or industry.
While requirements vary by profession, at least 50% should be structured CPD (active learning such as courses, workshops, or training). The remainder can be reflective or self-directed learning. This balance ensures both practical skills and self-awareness are developed.
All training materials are reviewed against a structured and universally accepted checklist. The process is impartial and objective, focusing on: educational value of content, clear learning objectives and outcomes, coherent structure and delivery, and relevance to professional development.
The process includes:
  1. Application submission with details of your organisation and training.
  2. Assessment of learning materials by CPD experts.
  3. Feedback & recommendations for improvement (if required).
  4. Approval & certification confirming compliance with CPD standards.
Once accredited, organisations can promote themselves as a CPD Provider and issue certificates.
On average, the process takes 2–6 weeks from submission to approval, provided all documents are complete. The timeframe depends on the size and complexity of the organisation and training materials.
Yes. CPD accreditation applies to a wide range of formats including: in-person workshops, seminars, and conferences; online e-learning modules and webinars; blended learning programmes; and corporate training and in-house development sessions.
Accreditation is typically valid for 12 months, after which providers must renew. Renewal ensures that training remains up-to-date, relevant, and aligned with international standards.
Yes. Once accredited, providers are authorised to issue CPD certificates to learners for all approved training activities. Each certificate carries the CPD accreditation mark and unique details for verification via the Check CPD Cert platform.
🌐

Visit the Official Check CPD Cert Website

Access the full CPD certification platform — verify certificates, manage your CPD records, and explore accreditation services all in one place.


Visit Website →

Ready to Get CPD Certified?

Contact our team today to learn how your organisation can become an accredited CPD provider and join thousands of organisations worldwide.