Accreditation Process
Become a CPD Accredited Provider
As professional development becomes increasingly important across global industries, CPD accreditation offers a reliable way to demonstrate quality and consistency in learning. The CPD Standards Board works with organisations from every sector to recognise training that meets high standards of structure, relevance and delivery.
The Board supports providers in aligning their courses, workshops, conferences and digital learning with the expectations of modern professionals.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation is a formal recognition that your learning provision meets the core principles of Continuing Professional Development. By having your programmes independently assessed and approved, you’re able to distinguish them in a crowded marketplace, offering delegates added confidence in both the content and the credibility of your training.
CPD Standards accreditation is available for a broad range of learning formats, including face-to-face courses, online modules, seminars, and live events.
Who Can Apply
You don’t need to be a large provider to apply. We work with individual consultants, small training companies, large organisations, internal L&D teams, and event organisers. If you’re delivering professional development, we’re here to support you in gaining formal recognition for it.
We accredit CPD across five main areas: training courses, individual trainers, internal learning programmes, events and conferences, and webinars. Each course or activity is reviewed by our team to ensure it meets the criteria for structured professional learning.
This includes clarity of content, relevance to the target audience, defined learning outcomes, and an appropriate level of depth. We’re not assessing your delivery style or branding , we’re simply looking for evidence that your training is designed to help people learn and grow.
How the Process Works
The process is straightforward. First, you register your organisation as a CPD provider. This is completely free and there’s no obligation to accredit anything straight away.
When you’re ready, you can submit your course, webinar, or event. We’ll review it against our CPD framework and, if it meets the standards, you’ll receive your certificate and supporting materials. If something’s missing or needs adjusting, we’ll give you feedback and help you refine it. Our goal is to work with you, not against you.
There’s no limit to the number of courses or activities you can accredit, and you stay in full control of the process. You choose what to submit, when to submit it, and how many items you’d like accredited.
What can be CPD accredited
Trainers & Coaches
Independent trainers and coaches can apply for CPD accreditation across a wide range of learning formats, including workshops, short courses, and coaching programmes.
Accreditation demonstrates that your material follows a clear structure, aligns with CPD expectations, and offers genuine learning value for participants. It also adds credibility to your work and provides reassurance to clients and delegates.
Training Companies
Accreditation is available for training providers offering professional development across any industry sector. Whether you deliver in-person, blended, or online programmes, CPD accreditation helps you demonstrate quality, consistency, and relevance.
It shows that your learning provision meets recognised standards and allows you to stand out in a competitive market.
Company L&D Departments
In-house learning and development teams can accredit internal training programmes to highlight a commitment to professional growth.
Accreditation supports the development of structured, measurable learning for staff and ensures alignment with external CPD standards. It also helps build confidence across the organisation in the value of internal training.
Individual In-house Corporate trainers
Trainers delivering sessions internally within a business can apply for CPD accreditation for their own programmes. This confirms that the content is structured, purposeful, and aligned with recognised standards.
Accreditation also supports internal recognition of the trainer’s professional expertise and the learning value of what they deliver.
Online courses & E-learning
Digital learning content can be CPD accredited provided it is structured, outcome-focused, and offers genuine development. This includes self-paced modules, virtual training, and interactive e-learning.
Accreditation helps online providers demonstrate that their content is well designed, professionally delivered, and aligned with industry expectations.
Webinars and Masterclasses
Live or recorded webinars and specialist masterclasses are suitable for CPD accreditation when they are educational in nature and follow a clear structure.
Accreditation confirms that the session delivers focused learning and is suitable for professional development. It also increases the value and visibility of your sessions to a wider audience.
Events & Seminars
Workshops, themed sessions, and conferences can be accredited when they include structured learning and defined outcomes.
Accreditation adds weight to your event and allows attendees to claim formal recognition for their time. It also helps demonstrate that your event is more than networking or general interest and contributes to development goals.
Podcasts & Audio Lessons
Audio-based content, including professional podcasts, voice-led training, and recorded lessons, can be accredited where it meets CPD criteria.
This includes being structured, educational, and aligned with development needs. Accreditation gives your audio content formal recognition and allows listeners to count it towards their learning targets.
What You’ll Receive
Once approved, you’ll receive a certificate for each accredited course, official provider status, and access to our accreditation logo.
You’ll also receive clear guidance on issuing CPD certificates to your learners.
How Long Accreditation Lasts
Your accreditation is valid for 12 months from the date of approval. Before it expires, we’ll remind you to renew and check whether your content has changed.
If everything remains the same, the renewal process is quick and straightforward.
Fees and Payment
There are no annual membership fees or ongoing charges. You can register as a provider for free and only pay when you choose to submit a programme.
A programme is a course, webinar, event, or talk. All fees are transparent and clearly outlined.