The CPD Standards Office

CPD Certification

For Training Courses, Digital Learning, Events, Coaches, and more


Independent CPD Accreditation


The CPD Standards Office, based in the United Kingdom, is a world-leading CPD accreditation service, providing certification to educators across all industries and sectors.

Accreditation criteria is based on the largest ongoing CPD research project and guarantees contemporary certification process for training providers, as well as up-to-date learning experience for delegates.

Ultimate Guide to Becoming CPD Accredited

CPD Accreditation is For


FACE TO FACE TRAINING

If you offer a training course that is delivered face-to-face and has a set topic or syllabus, we invite you to consider having it CPD Accredited.

DIGITAL LEARNING

Online training, including tutor-led and self-paced activities completed via any device can benefit from CPD certification.

EVENTS & CONFERENCE

CPD certification is suitable for a variety of event types, including webinars, conferences, lunch-and-learns, summits, and others.

PUBLIC SPEAKER

Enhance your public speaking engagement by having them CPD accredited, allowing you to provide CPD points to your audience.

COACH

Become an accredited coach by choosing between a Qualified, Professional, or Expert membership.

PROVIDER OF TRAINING EXCELLENCE

A quality symbol that demonstrates to your clients and potential customers that you have undertaken a rigorous third-party verification

Benefits of CPD Accreditation


Consider the multiple benefits of becoming CPD certified.

Trust Mark

Gain your learners' trust by displaying a trusted accreditation with your training.

Increased Market Share

Gain a larger market share by demonstrating higher value for your customers.

Increased Reputation

Demonstrate your readiness and ability to pass a rigorous third-party assessment.

Verifiable Status

Become a preferred training provider, verifiable via the CPD Provider Directory.

The CPD Standards Office

Founded in 2012, The CPD Standards Office is an independent CPD accreditation organisation, certifying training providers internationally with members in 72 countries.


  • Timeline
  • Advisory Board
  • CPD Research
Timeline
2012

Founded

First stage of the CPD Research Project is completed revealing a need for contemporary CPD accreditation that guarantees the educational quality of professional training.

2013

150 Certified Providers

By 2013, The CPD Standards Office has accredited 150 training providers, enabling them to award CPD points/hours.

2017

1000 Accredited Providers

By 2017, 1000 training providers and hundreds of thousands of courses have been accredited across 40 countries.

2019

Expanded Accreditation Type

In 2019, The CPD Standards Office introduces new official standards for the CPD accreditation of different types of learning events (face-2-face courses, events, etc.)

2020

1500+ Accredited Training Providers

By 2020, The CPD Standards Office has enabled over 1500 educators worldwide to improve their training delivery.

2022

2000+ Certified Training Providers

Continuing its rapid growth, by 2023 The CPD Standards Office has accredited over 2000 training providers and over 500,000 training courses, events, webinars, and others.

2023

MENA Branch

in 2023, The CPD Standards Office expanded to the Middle East and North Africa with its offices based in Dubai.

Advisory Board

Independent Advisory Board

The criteria, methodology and processes used daily by the CPD Standards Office is overseen by an independent panel of experts, drawn from academics, employers and professional bodies.

The Expert Advisory Board provides the CPD Standards Office with a rich and diverse range of expertise, that reviews our activities, processes and criteria, thereby ensuring that our accreditation is authoritative. The Board assists us with:

  • Keeping our thinking and processes up to date
  • Ensuring our criteria and methodology align with industry and CPD requirements
  • Giving diverse expertise on CPD accreditation and other related areas
  • Ensuring full transparency of our activities.
CPD Research

CPD Research Project

The CPD Research, conducted initially over a course of 2 years was one of the largest academic studies into the field of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and adult skills development.

The CPD Standards Office continues its research today to maintain and update educational standards, and to ensure training providers are aligned with the changes in business and society.

  • Advisory Board
  • CPD Research
Advisory Board

Independent Advisory Board

The criteria, methodology and processes used daily by the CPD Standards Office is overseen by an independent panel of experts, drawn from academics, employers and professional bodies.

The Expert Advisory Board provides the CPD Standards Office with a rich and diverse range of expertise, that reviews our activities, processes and criteria, thereby ensuring that our accreditation is authoritative. The Board assists us with:

  • Keeping our thinking and processes up to date
  • Ensuring our criteria and methodology align with industry and CPD requirements
  • Giving diverse expertise on CPD accreditation and other related areas
  • Ensuring full transparency of our activities.
CPD Research

CPD Research Project

The CPD Research, conducted initially over a course of 2 years was one of the largest academic studies into the field of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and adult skills development.

The CPD Standards Office continues its research today to maintain and update educational standards, and to ensure training providers are aligned with the changes in business and society.

CPD for Professionals, Learners, Students

Resources for learners and professionals who use CPD to grow their careers

Grow with CPD

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) also known as CE (Continuing Education) is the intentional maintenance and development of the knowledge and skills needed to perform in a professional context.

Whether your have a mandatory commitment to CPD via your professional body or have decided to grow your career by becoming the most enhanced version of yourself, please review these resources.

CPD DIRECTORY


Find accredited CPD training providers offering courses across 60+ industries.



CPDSO and iCPD Partnership Logo

The Institute of CPD

The Institute of CPD is a membership organisation for those committed to professional excellence through CPD. The CPD Standards Office partners

with the Institute popularise CPD and support modern-day professionals.

CPD Across Industries

Largest Information Source on CP

Over the past decade, the CPD Standards Office has created an independent resource that provides a concise overview of all the key institutes, societies and regulators that have a CPD policy and may also provide CPD for a range of professions, industries and sectors. We are currently working with MemberWise to help QA this comprehensive list to ensure all the correct institutions are listed, present, and accurate.

This Project Is Developed And Delivered By:

&

* MemberWise is an independent professional network that provides practical help and support to circa 8,000+ membership and association professionals based in the UK and overseas.

Aesthetics & Beauty

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Education & Training Centres

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Financial Services & Insurance

Business Skills

Marketing & Advertising

Law & Legislation

Accountancy

Hospitality & Leisure

Join A Prestigious, Global Community Of Experienced, CPD Verified Course Creators, Coaches, Educators & Speakers

Upon joining us as an official CPD provider you become part of our CPD Standards Community, along with over 1,000 other accredited providers. This community is growing stronger every day, with its huge range of connections to membership organisations, employers and universities.

Regular, Ongoing Support

Dedicated Account Manager

Digital Resources

Monthly Networking Events

Our community is also supported by the on-going work of the CPD Research Project. This means that just as your clients and delegates can be sure that your training, learning or coaching activities are independently assessed to the highest standard, you too can be sure that other members of the CPD Standards Community have also been assessed the exact same way. This gives you peace of mind as you exchange best practice and network with other providers, professional bodies, universities and authorities.

CPDSO Member Testimonials

"Having our courses independently evaluated and quality assured, has given our clients that extra confidence in knowing that what they are paying for is a quality service."

Rating

Anita Devi

Team ADL

"I was looking for a professional organisation to support my coaching offerings. There’s a lot to choose from in a crowded market, but I ended up selecting the CPDSO because they really care about their customers, their products and their services."

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Simon Rickman

Development Coach

"CPD has not only enhanced my presence and reputation as a speaker, but it's also developed new opportunities that enable me to engage with audiences at a broader range of events."

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Dale Howarth

Accredited CPD Speaker

Benefits Of Becoming CPD Accredited With The CPD Standards Office

Get ahead of your competitors and gain a HUGE market share

Becoming CPD accredited helps you to stand out in an already overcrowded marketplace and turns your learning experience into an authority

Issue formal CPD certificates for your accredited training portfolio

Add your CPD badge to your own certificate design or utilise your CPDSO templates to issue formal certificates.

Stay 'in the loop' with relevant market updates and meaningful insights

CPDSO is also home to the CPD research project, so you'll receive cutting edge insights, recent CPD trends and news on a weekly basis

Build your brand's reputation and be known as a premier provider

Having the mark of accreditation from The CPD Standards Office means you'll be known as a premier provider of high quality CPD training materials

Attract more professionals and organisations that need CPD training

Get your foot in the door with some of the best known corporations and companies who need CPD accredited courses and training programs

Join a network of successful providers committed to being the best

Attend online and offline events with our constantly growing CPD community to network and share knowledge with each other

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long will the membership be valid for?

Your membership commitment with The CPD Standards Office is for a minimum of two years. After the first two years, you are then contracted on a one year rolling basis.

When is payment required?

You will pay your first year's membership fee upon application. The second year will be billed at renewal (13.5 months later) and annually after that. Members receive a discount of 15% on their second year as part of our loyalty scheme.

Are there any payment plan arrangements available?

We are flexible in our approach to accreditation costs, for further information on the payment plans available please contact our CPD advisors.

What happens if we don't meet your criteria?

Our "no pass or fail" concept implies that we will collaborate with you and provide you with the help and direction you require throughout the accreditation process.

How long will it take to get accredited?

Routine - It can take up to 45 days (6 weeks) from the day of full submission to obtain your accreditation.


Swift/Fast Track - For an additional fee, you can select the fast

track option, which will prioritise the application and offer approved status within 14 days. Full submission is still required with this option. For further information on the fast track assessment, contact your Advisor.

How much does it cost to be approved for a CPD Accredited status?

Our accreditation prices vary depending on the type of certification you select and the number of activities (courses) you are looking to accredit.

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