CPD Accreditation Mean To You?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It is the ongoing, structured process of learning, developing skills, and maintaining professional knowledge throughout a working career — beyond any initial training or qualifications. CPD ensures that professionals stay current with the latest standards, practices, and developments in their field, and it applies to virtually every industry in the UK and internationally.

CPD is not a single event but a lifelong commitment to professional growth. It can take many forms — from attending a structured training course or webinar to reading an industry publication or completing an e-learning programme. The term is used internationally, though in some countries it may be referred to as Continuing Education (CE), Continuing Professional Education (CPE), or Continuing Medical Education (CME) in healthcare contexts.

The CPD Group is one of the UK’s leading CPD accreditation bodies, working with over 11,000 approved providers across all industries to ensure that CPD activities meet recognised quality standards. We are the first and currently only accreditation organisation to be certified by The CPD Register — the independent body that verifies accreditation standards themselves.

CPD covers two broad categories of learning. Structured (or formal) CPD includes accredited training courses, workshops, seminars, webinars, e-learning programmes, conferences, podcasts, and other activities with defined learning objectives and measurable outcomes. Unstructured (or informal) CPD includes self-directed learning such as reading professional journals, peer discussions, mentoring, and independent research. Most professional bodies require a proportion of structured CPD as part of their annual requirements.

For a CPD activity to be counted formally — particularly in regulated industries — it must typically be structured, verifiable, and relevant to the professional’s role. This is where CPD accreditation from a recognised body such as The CPD Group becomes critical. When an activity is accredited through our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework, it has been independently assessed to confirm it delivers genuine professional development value. Delegates completing accredited activities receive a certificate confirming the number of CPD credits earned — providing the evidence they need for their professional body or employer.

The number of CPD hours required per year varies significantly by profession and professional body. In the UK, common requirements include: doctors (GMC) — 50 hours per year; nurses (NMC) — 35 hours over three years; solicitors in England and Wales — 16 hours per year; accountants (ICAEW) — 40 hours per year; chartered marketers (CIM) — 35 hours per year; barristers (BSB) — 45 hours over three years for new practitioners. For professions with no mandated minimum — such as many technology and creative roles — most CPD advisors recommend a minimum of 20 to 30 hours per year as a credibility benchmark.

As a general rule, one CPD credit equals one hour of structured learning. So a half-day course typically earns 3.5 CPD credits, and a full-day workshop earns approximately 7. When you complete an activity accredited by The CPD Group, your certificate clearly states the number of CPD credits earned, making it straightforward to track your progress and meet your professional body’s requirements. You can log and manage all your CPD using our free CPD Passport.

CPD is generally divided into two main types. Formal or structured CPD involves organised learning with clearly defined objectives, a set duration, and a means of evidencing completion — such as a certificate. This includes accredited training courses, webinars, conferences, e-learning, workshops, seminars, and professionally accredited podcasts. Informal or unstructured CPD covers self-directed activities such as reading industry publications, peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, on-the-job learning, and reflective practice.

Within these two categories, CPD can also be described as active (where the learner participates directly, such as in a workshop or interactive e-learning module) or passive (where the learner absorbs information without formal interaction, such as watching a lecture recording). Most professional bodies give greater weighting to active, structured CPD and require a minimum proportion of formal activity each year.

The CPD Group accredits the full range of structured CPD formats — courses, webinars, events, edutorials, audio podcasts, video podcasts, employer training programmes, and individual trainer credentials — making us one of the most comprehensive accreditation bodies in the UK.

The CPD cycle is a continuous, structured process that helps professionals plan, undertake, and reflect on their development throughout the year. It is widely adopted by UK professional bodies and is the foundation of effective professional development. The cycle typically consists of four stages: Identify — reflect on your current skills, knowledge gaps, and future goals; Plan — select appropriate CPD activities that address those gaps; Act — complete your chosen learning activities; and Reflect — review what you have learned and how it has improved your professional practice.

Following the CPD cycle ensures that your development is purposeful and evidence-based — not just a box-ticking exercise. Most professional bodies that require annual CPD ask members to demonstrate that they have followed this cyclical approach when submitting their CPD records. Using a tool like the CPD Passport from The CPD Group makes it straightforward to track and reflect on your activities at each stage of the cycle.

CPD is relevant to professionals across virtually all industries. In regulated professions — including healthcare, law, accountancy, financial services, engineering, and architecture — CPD is mandatory. Professionals must complete a set number of accredited CPD hours each year to maintain their professional registration, licence to practise, or membership of a regulated body. Failure to meet these requirements can result in suspension of professional status.

Outside of regulated sectors, CPD is increasingly expected and valued by employers and clients across HR, marketing, technology, education, training, and the creative industries. Over 450 professional bodies in the UK now require CPD from their members — a figure that continues to grow. Whether mandatory or voluntary, documented CPD signals commitment to professional standards and is a meaningful differentiator in a competitive job market.

For training providers, coaches, course creators, and event organisers, having activities formally accredited by The CPD Group signals to professional audiences that your content meets recognised CPD standards — which is often a deciding factor for professionals who need to evidence their development to their employer or regulatory body.

CPD accreditation is the independent, third-party assessment of a learning activity to confirm it meets recognised professional development standards. When a course, webinar, event, or other learning activity is CPD accredited, it means a qualified accreditation body — such as The CPD Group — has reviewed it against a defined quality framework and approved it as a genuine and valuable CPD activity.

Accreditation matters for two audiences. For training providers, it provides independent validation that their content meets professional standards, adds credibility to their marketing, and makes their activities discoverable to professionals who need accredited learning. For learners and delegates, it provides assurance that the time and money invested in a course will be accepted as valid CPD by their professional body or employer — and that they will receive a recognised certificate upon completion.

The CPD Group assesses every submission against our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework, covering accuracy, credibility, clarity, relevance, engagement, delivery, and overall learning impact. We are the first and currently only CPD accreditation body to be independently certified by The CPD Register, and have been awarded the Most Trusted CPD Accreditation Service by the UK Business Excellence Awards.

This is one of the most important distinctions in professional learning. CPD accreditation is an independent quality mark confirming that a training activity meets recognised professional development standards. It is awarded by independent accreditation bodies such as The CPD Group and does not sit within the government’s regulated qualifications framework. A CPD certificate is evidence of professional learning and development — it is not a regulated qualification.

Regulated qualifications — such as GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs, HNCs, degrees, and professional charters — are formal credentials designed, developed, and awarded by Awarding Organisations (AOs) regulated by Ofqual (in England). They are assigned a level on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and confer formal educational standing. Completing them requires structured assessment and results in a nationally recognised credential.

In practice, CPD and qualifications serve complementary purposes. Qualifications establish your baseline competence when entering a profession. CPD keeps your skills and knowledge current throughout your career. Many professionals hold both: a regulated qualification that got them into their role, and ongoing CPD-accredited learning — including activities assessed by The CPD Group — that demonstrates their continued professional development.

Blanket CPD accreditation refers to the practice of some accreditation bodies approving an organisation as a CPD provider without assessing the individual courses or activities that organisation delivers. The provider receives an accreditation mark that can be applied broadly across all their content — regardless of the quality, accuracy, or professional relevance of each specific activity.

This approach is widely regarded as inadequate because it provides no genuine assurance that individual learning activities meet CPD standards. A blanket accreditation logo on a course tells learners and employers nothing meaningful about the quality of that specific activity — only that the provider paid a fee to be listed.

The CPD Group takes a fundamentally different approach. We assess every individual activity submitted for accreditation against our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework — regardless of how many courses a provider submits. Whether you submit 6 courses or 600, each one is reviewed individually. This activity-by-activity rigour is one of the core reasons The CPD Group was named the Most Trusted CPD Accreditation Service by the UK Business Excellence Awards, and is the first accreditation body certified by The CPD Register.

In practice, the terms CPD certified and CPD accredited are often used interchangeably by providers and professional bodies, and both broadly mean that an independent body has assessed a learning activity and confirmed it meets professional development standards. However, there are subtle distinctions worth understanding.

CPD accreditation typically refers to the formal process of an independent body evaluating a learning activity against a defined quality framework — the rigorous assessment model used by organisations such as The CPD Group. CPD certification can sometimes refer more broadly to confirming that an activity is appropriate for CPD recording purposes, without the same depth of assessment. Some providers use “certified” as a lower-threshold descriptor.

The most important thing for both learners and providers is to check who is doing the accrediting or certifying, and how. The CPD Group is the only UK accreditation body certified by The CPD Register — meaning our accreditation processes have been independently verified. When an activity carries The CPD Group accreditation mark and is listed on The CPD Register, both providers and learners can have full confidence in the integrity of that accreditation.

Yes. CPD accreditation from a recognised UK body such as The CPD Group is accepted internationally across all major professional sectors. The CPD Group works with training providers and event organisers from countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, the UAE, South Africa, and throughout Europe. Our accreditation is recognised by professionals and organisations globally, and our accredited activities are listed on The CPD Register, which is trusted by professionals worldwide.

CPD as a concept is globally understood — though the terminology varies by region. In the USA it is commonly called Continuing Education (CE) or Continuing Professional Education (CPE). In healthcare it may be called Continuing Medical Education (CME). In legal contexts it can be Continuing Legal Education (CLE). Regardless of the terminology, the underlying principle — structured, verifiable, professional learning — is consistent, and accreditation from The CPD Group is recognised as meeting that standard internationally.

Several CPD accreditation organisations operate in the UK, and they vary significantly in terms of the rigour of their assessment process, the breadth of formats they accredit, their independent credibility, and the verification systems they operate. Key factors to evaluate when choosing an accreditation body include: whether they assess individual activities or offer blanket provider accreditation; whether they are independently certified; whether their logo is verifiable by learners; and whether they are recognised across all major industries.

The CPD Group stands apart from other UK accreditation bodies in three important ways. First, we are the first and currently only CPD accreditation organisation to be certified by The CPD Register — the independent certification body that verifies the standards of accreditation organisations themselves. Second, we assess every individual activity against our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework, rather than applying blanket accreditation. Third, we accredit the widest range of learning formats in the sector — courses, webinars, events, podcasts, edutorials, employer programmes, and individual trainer credentials — under one recognised accreditation mark.

Getting a course accredited with The CPD Group follows three clear steps. Step one: become a CPD Provider — this is completely free and involves an initial assessment of your organisation to confirm you are ready to deliver CPD learning. Step two: submit your course for review — you provide details including your course title, content overview, learning objectives, delivery format, duration, and trainer credentials. Step three: assessment and approval — our specialist accreditation team reviews your submission against the A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework. If approved, you receive your accreditation, your course logo, and a listing on The CPD Register.

If our team identifies areas for improvement during assessment, we will provide detailed feedback and work with you to bring the course up to the required standard — we never simply refuse without explanation. Once accredited, your course is listed publicly on The CPD Register, meaning learners can find and verify it. You can also issue personalised CPD certificates to delegates upon completion. Start the process here — it’s free to register.

The time required for CPD accreditation varies depending on the accreditation body, the complexity of the activity being assessed, and how quickly documentation is submitted. At The CPD Group, our team generally aims to begin reviewing course submissions within 2 to 3 weeks of receipt. The full assessment timeline depends on whether revisions are needed — straightforward submissions with clear learning objectives, complete documentation, and well-structured content tend to move through assessment most quickly.

CPD accreditation is generally faster and more straightforward than many providers expect. To speed up your accreditation, ensure your submission includes a clear course description, specific and measurable learning objectives, a defined duration, details of delivery format, and trainer qualifications. If you are working towards a specific course launch date, we recommend contacting The CPD Group team as early as possible — our advisors can guide you through exactly what to prepare. Get in touch here.

Becoming a CPD Provider with The CPD Group is entirely free. Once registered, individual activities — such as courses, webinars, and events — are submitted for accreditation assessment, and fees apply at the activity level. Costs vary depending on the format and volume of activities you wish to accredit, and flexible packages are available to suit organisations of all sizes — from independent trainers and coaches to large training businesses and event companies.

Across the UK market, CPD accreditation fees typically range from £150 to over £1,000 per course depending on the body, the assessment depth, and whether the accreditation covers a single activity or an annual subscription model. At The CPD Group, our pricing is transparent and we offer packages suited to providers accrediting a small number of activities as well as those with large or growing portfolios. Our fees cover the cost of individual activity assessment by our specialist team — not a blanket provider badge. Contact our team for a tailored quote.

When The CPD Group assesses a course or activity for accreditation, our specialist team evaluates it against our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework — a comprehensive set of criteria designed to ensure the activity delivers genuine, high-quality professional development. Key assessment areas include: the clarity and specificity of learning objectives; the accuracy, currency, and depth of the content; the relevance of the activity to its stated professional audience; the quality and appropriateness of the delivery format; the credentials and expertise of the trainer or facilitator; and the overall learner experience.

Critically, The CPD Group assesses every activity individually — not as part of a blanket provider approval. If our assessors identify areas for improvement, they provide structured feedback and work collaboratively with the provider to bring the content up to standard. Many providers find the accreditation process valuable in itself, as the feedback often strengthens the overall quality of their learning materials. Activities that pass assessment are listed on The CPD Register with a unique accreditation number that delegates and employers can use to verify the credential.

CPD accreditation periods vary by accreditation body, but most activity-level accreditations are valid for one year, after which they require renewal. Some provider-level accreditations may run for two to three years. At The CPD Group, annual renewal ensures that accredited content remains current, accurate, and continues to meet professional standards — particularly important in fast-moving industries where knowledge and best practice evolve quickly.

Renewal typically involves confirming the course remains current, providing evidence of continued delivery, and paying a renewal fee — which is generally lower than the initial accreditation cost. If you have updated your course materials significantly during the year, those updated materials are re-assessed as part of renewal at no additional charge. The CPD Group sends renewal reminders in advance so providers can plan accordingly and avoid any gap in accreditation status. Maintaining an up-to-date accreditation is important because learners and employers can check the live status of any accredited activity on The CPD Register.

The CPD Group accredits a wider range of learning formats than most accreditation bodies in the UK. Formats eligible for accreditation include: training courses (face-to-face and online, self-paced and live); webinars (live and recorded); e-learning programmes; edutorials (educational articles and written publications); audio podcasts; video podcasts; conferences and events; employer training programmes; and individual trainer credentials. We also work with publishers, media organisations, and industry bodies.

The common thread across all accreditable formats is that the activity must have defined learning objectives, a clear professional audience, an appropriate duration, and must deliver genuine learning value. If you are unsure whether your specific format or content qualifies, our team will be happy to advise — we aim to make high-quality CPD accreditation as accessible as possible for providers across every format and sector. Contact us to discuss your activity.

Yes. Online and e-learning courses are among the most commonly submitted formats for CPD accreditation, and The CPD Group is fully equipped to assess them. Whether you offer self-paced online modules, live virtual classrooms, pre-recorded webinars, blended programmes, or SCORM-based e-learning, your content can be reviewed and accredited provided it meets the required quality standards.

For online courses, assessors at The CPD Group pay particular attention to how learning time is calculated, how learner engagement is facilitated in the absence of a live instructor, whether the content includes interactive elements, and how completion is verified. Self-paced e-learning, live webinars, and blended programmes can all be accredited. Most professional bodies now accept online CPD equally alongside in-person activities — what matters is the quality and relevance of the learning, not the delivery method. Find out more about course accreditation.

Yes — CPD accreditation focuses on the quality, structure, and outcomes of the learning activity itself, not solely on the production method. Courses developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools can be submitted for accreditation by The CPD Group, provided the content meets the required standards for accuracy, relevance, learning objectives, and delivery quality.

When assessing AI-developed content, our team pays particular attention to factual accuracy (AI can introduce errors or outdated information), appropriate depth and nuance for the professional audience, coherent learning structure, and genuine learning value for the end user. AI-generated content that passes these checks can be fully accredited. Content that contains factual errors, lacks appropriate depth, or does not demonstrate genuine professional learning value will not be approved — regardless of how it was produced.

As AI course creation tools become more widely used, The CPD Group continues to develop its assessment guidance to ensure our standards keep pace with innovation in the training sector. This is an area where our individual-activity assessment model — rather than blanket provider accreditation — is particularly important in protecting standards.

Yes — and The CPD Group was among the first CPD accreditation bodies in the UK to offer dedicated podcast accreditation. Both audio podcasts and video podcasts can be assessed and accredited, provided the episode has defined educational content, a clear professional audience, an appropriate duration, and delivers genuine learning value that listeners can apply in their professional role.

Podcast accreditation from The CPD Group allows content creators, thought leaders, industry experts, and media companies to add measurable CPD value to their output. Accredited podcast episodes enable listeners to earn CPD credits, which makes your content significantly more attractive to professional audiences — particularly those working in sectors where annual CPD requirements must be met. Accredited podcast episodes are listed on The CPD Register, increasing their discoverability. Learn more about podcast accreditation.

A high-quality CPD course has several defining characteristics that distinguish it from generic training content. It begins with clear, specific, and measurable learning objectives — the learner should know exactly what they will be able to do or understand differently by the end. The content must be accurate, current, and professionally relevant to the audience it serves. It must be structured logically to support progressive learning, not simply deliver information. And it must provide learners with knowledge, skills, or insights they can directly apply in their professional role.

The CPD Group’s A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework assesses every submitted activity across eight quality dimensions: Accuracy, Credibility, Clarity, Relevance, Engagement, Delivery, Impact, and Transparency of Evidence. Courses that have been through this assessment process — and received detailed feedback from our specialist team — consistently demonstrate stronger learning outcomes and higher delegate satisfaction. Many providers tell us the accreditation process itself improves the quality of their content, as the structured review highlights areas that benefit from refinement.

Learning objectives are one of the most critical elements of any CPD accreditation submission. Weak or vague objectives are among the most common reasons assessments require revision. A strong learning objective should be specific, measurable, and outcome-focused — describing what a learner will be able to do, know, or demonstrate after completing the activity, not simply what topics will be covered.

Use active, observable verbs when writing objectives. For example: “By the end of this course, participants will be able to identify the key provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974” is a measurable objective. “This course covers health and safety” is not — it describes content, not learning outcome. A well-structured CPD course typically has between three and eight clearly stated learning objectives, each tied to a distinct skill, knowledge area, or competency that the activity develops.

When you submit an activity to The CPD Group for accreditation, our assessors review your learning objectives closely as part of the A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework assessment. If your objectives need strengthening, we provide specific guidance on how to refine them — we are here to help you achieve accreditation, not simply to pass or fail submissions.

Becoming a CPD training provider in the UK means registering with a recognised CPD accreditation body and having your activities assessed against professional development standards. With The CPD Group, the process is straightforward and begins with a free provider registration. This initial step involves an assessment of your organisation to confirm you meet the fundamental criteria required to deliver CPD — including that you have the expertise, structure, and commitment to consistently deliver quality learning.

Once approved as a CPD Provider, you can submit individual courses, webinars, events, and other activities for accreditation. You do not need to be a large training company — individual trainers, coaches, consultants, and small businesses are all well represented among The CPD Group’s 11,000+ approved providers. What matters is the quality of the learning you deliver. Becoming an accredited CPD provider gives you the right to display The CPD Group accreditation logo on your marketing materials, issue CPD certificates to delegates, and have your activities listed on The CPD Register. Register as a CPD Provider for free.

A CPD Provider is an organisation — such as a training company, business, educational institution, or professional body — that delivers CPD-accredited learning activities. Provider accreditation recognises the organisation as a quality-assured source of professional development, and allows the company to submit multiple activities for assessment and display the accreditation mark across its brand.

A CPD Trainer is an individual — such as a freelance trainer, coach, consultant, or speaker — whose personal expertise, credentials, and delivery have been independently assessed and approved. Trainer accreditation from The CPD Group means the individual can carry the accreditation credential personally, regardless of which organisation, platform, or context they deliver through. This is particularly valuable for freelancers and independent practitioners who work across multiple clients or platforms and want to demonstrate their individual credibility to delegates and employers.

The CPD Group offers accreditation pathways for both — and many individuals hold both trainer and provider accreditation to cover all the contexts in which they deliver learning. Learn more about trainer accreditation.

Yes. The CPD Group offers dedicated employer accreditation for organisations that invest in their own staff training and development programmes. This allows businesses to have their internal training formally assessed and recognised as meeting professional CPD standards — providing employees with verifiable CPD credits for the learning they complete as part of their employment.

Employer accreditation is increasingly valued as a recruitment and retention tool. Research consistently shows that professionals place high importance on employers who invest in development — and carrying a recognised CPD accreditation mark on your staff training programmes demonstrates that commitment with credibility. It also helps employees in regulated professions evidence their annual CPD requirements through their workplace learning, rather than having to source all their CPD externally. Find out more about employer accreditation.

Yes — CPD accreditation is highly relevant for coaches, and The CPD Group works with a large number of coaching professionals across executive coaching, life coaching, business coaching, career coaching, health and wellbeing coaching, and beyond. Both individual coaching sessions and structured coaching programmes can be submitted for accreditation, provided they have defined learning outcomes, an appropriate structure, and deliver measurable professional development value for the coachee.

For coaches, accreditation from The CPD Group serves two purposes. First, it validates the quality of their coaching offer — demonstrating to clients and employers that the coaching they deliver meets recognised professional development standards. Second, individual coaches can pursue trainer accreditation to have their own credentials and expertise formally assessed, giving them a recognised professional credential to present to clients and to use in their marketing. In a crowded coaching market, CPD accreditation is one of the most meaningful credibility signals available. Learn more about trainer and coach accreditation.

The CPD Group is the first and currently only CPD accreditation body in the UK to be independently certified by The CPD Register — the certification body that sets and verifies standards for accreditation organisations themselves. This means our accreditation processes have been externally verified, giving providers and learners the highest available level of confidence in the integrity of our accreditation mark. We have also been awarded the Most Trusted CPD Accreditation Service by the UK Business Excellence Awards.

Beyond these credentials, three practical advantages set The CPD Group apart. First, we assess every individual activity rather than offering blanket provider accreditation — meaning every accredited course has been genuinely reviewed. Second, we accredit the widest range of learning formats in the sector, from courses and webinars to podcasts, edutorials, events, employer programmes, and trainer credentials. Third, every accredited activity is listed publicly on The CPD Register with a verifiable accreditation number — so learners and employers can independently confirm the credential’s validity at any time. With over 11,000 approved providers, The CPD Group is one of the largest and most trusted names in CPD accreditation.

Once your course or activity is accredited by The CPD Group, you receive a comprehensive set of credentials and benefits. Your activity is listed on The CPD Register with a unique accreditation number that learners and employers can use to verify its status. You receive the official CPD Group accreditation logo — specific to that activity — which you can display on your website, course pages, social media, brochures, and marketing materials. You are authorised to issue personalised CPD certificates to delegates upon completion, confirming the number of CPD credits earned.

You also join the growing community of over 11,000 providers accredited by The CPD Group — a community that signals your commitment to quality professional development. Accreditation is listed prominently in our searchable provider and activity directory, increasing your discoverability to professionals who are actively seeking accredited learning. Accreditation is renewed annually, ensuring your credential remains current and that your content continues to meet the latest CPD standards.

You can verify any CPD activity accredited by The CPD Group using our Verify an Activity tool at thecpd.group/cpd-register. Every accredited activity is assigned a unique accreditation number which appears on the course logo and the CPD certificate issued to delegates. Entering this number into the verification tool confirms the activity’s accredited status, the name of the provider, and the accreditation expiry date.

This verification system is important for professionals who need to evidence their CPD to their employer or professional body — and for employers who want to confirm that CPD certificates presented by staff are from a legitimate, assessed source. If a provider is displaying the CPD Group logo but cannot provide a verifiable accreditation number, or if the number does not appear on our register, this should be treated as a red flag. If you suspect a provider is misrepresenting their accreditation status, you can report it to us here.

The CPD Group offers a free CPD Passport — a personal online CPD recording tool that allows professionals to log their development activities, track their cumulative CPD hours, store certificates, and build a portfolio of evidence. The CPD Passport is designed to make it straightforward to meet your professional body’s annual submission requirements and to demonstrate a consistent commitment to professional growth to employers.

Effective CPD recording involves logging the date and title of each activity, the number of CPD credits earned, a brief description of the learning, and — particularly valued by professional bodies — a short reflection on how the learning has informed or improved your professional practice. This reflective element is a core part of the CPD cycle and is increasingly required by professional bodies when auditing members’ CPD records. You can access and create your free CPD Passport at thecpd.group/cpdpassport.

Protecting the integrity of CPD accreditation is central to what The CPD Group does. If you believe a provider is displaying our accreditation logo without a valid, current accreditation — or is misrepresenting their accreditation status to mislead learners or employers — you can report this directly to us using our Report CPD tool. We investigate all reports thoroughly and take appropriate action to protect both the credibility of our accreditation mark and the interests of learners.

Common indicators that a CPD accreditation claim may not be legitimate include: no verifiable accreditation number on the course logo or certificate; an accreditation number that does not appear on The CPD Register; use of a CPD logo that does not match any recognised UK accreditation body; and providers who are unable or unwilling to confirm the status of their accreditation when asked. Maintaining rigorous standards around verification is one of the reasons The CPD Group was certified by The CPD Register — and why our accreditation mark is one of the most trusted in the sector.