Do I need a formal training qualification to qualify as a CPD Trainer?

Do I need an official training qualification to qualify as aCPD Trainer?

The short answer is yes, it is highly recommended that you have a formal training qualification in order to become a CPD Trainer.

For us to provide you with trainer accreditation, we need evidence that you have adequate experience and qualifications to provide an excellent learning experience to your students. In order for us to make an accurate judgement, we strongly advise that you have completed a formal training qualification prior to applying for CPD Trainer accreditation.

What do you mean by “Formal Training Qualification"?

By a formal training qualification, we mean a qualification that has been regulated and approved by a specialised government body like Ofqual. Although they are excellent for refreshing your skills and keeping your knowledge up to date, and we are always happy to see trainers list them on their application, we won’t accept a CPD course on its own as proof of your training expertise. CPD courses are an excellent addition to your application, but our accreditation team will need to see more in order to accredit you.

An example of a formal training qualification is theLevel 3 Award in Education and Training or AET. This is an OFQUAL regulated, globally recognised assessment which, once completed, qualifies the holder to undertake teaching or training in the United Kingdom. The course lays the foundations of how to be an effective trainer, teaching important skills like lesson planning and course delivery, whilst providing a deeper understanding of your roles and responsibilities as a trainer.

Formal qualifications include those regulated by bodies like OFQUAL.



Are there any exceptions?

Whilst it is a rare occurrence, there are instances where we will accredit a trainer without a formal training qualification. For example, we may award accreditation if a trainer has been able to demonstrate that they have many years of experience delivering training in their field. We would also ask that they can back up their claim with strong evidence like positive learner reviews and evidence of other forms of training. However, it is important to note that this is only under exceptional circumstances and is not something we will enforce regularly.

What else is required to become an accredited trainer?

As well as a formal training qualification, we will also ask to see any other relevant training and qualifications you have completed. Our accreditation team will also need to see proof of your experience, so will ask for a copy of your CV or Resume, and we may ask for a reference if necessary. We also require our trainers to submit a range of policies and evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance. This is insurance that protects you against claims for loss or damage made by clients or third parties as a result of the training you provided to them. You may also choose to include any more documents or information to support your application, such as good customer reviews or awards you have won for your training.

We will also need to see a copy of your I.D and a selfie so that we can verify your identity and confirm you are who you say you are. (This selfie will go on your Trainer Card, so make sure it's a good one! 😉)

We also assess you against our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D. Framework, which you can check out here!

Looking for CPD Accreditation?

We accredit a wide range of CPD activities, so take a look at the different types of accreditation we offer to find what suits you best:

• CPD Courses
• CPD Webinars
• CPD Edutorials
• CPD Audio Podcasts
• CPD Video Podcasts
• CPD Accredited Events
• CPD Trainers
• CPD Employers

Every activity we accredit is assessed individually against our A.C.C.R.E.D.I.T.E.D Framework and listed on The CPD Register, where you can verify its accreditation status before you commit.

How to become an accredited CPD Provider

We hope this article was helpful. The CPD Group is the first CPD accreditation organisation to be certified by The CPD Register, working with over 13,000 approved providers across 170+ countries and 100+ industries. Every course, webinar, event or podcast we accredit is assessed on its own merit, never as part of a blanket approval.

If you're delivering training, running events, hosting a podcast, or creating any learning content that offers genuine professional development value, we'd love to help you get it accredited. Visit our Become a CPD Provider page or contact our team for a friendly chat about what we can do for you. If you're a learner looking to track, store and verify your own CPD, create your free CPD Passport - it connects directly to The CPD Register for instant verification of your accredited learning.

If you have any more questions about becoming a CPD Trainer, please get in touch with our friendly team, who are always more than happy to help!

Email us: info@thecpd.group

Call us: 0208 3966 340