What it means
If a learning activity carries our accreditation, an independent assessor has reviewed it against the CPD Accreditation Standards and found that it meets them. In practical terms that means someone checked, before you took it, that:
- the activity states what you will be able to do afterwards, in terms you can check;
- the stated CPD hours reflect the actual learning time, not the length of the day;
- whoever delivers it has evidenced subject competence;
- there is a way of showing you achieved the outcomes, not only that you turned up;
- if a commercial sponsor is involved, that is disclosed and the sponsor did not write the content.
What it does not mean
Accreditation is not a qualification, and it is not a regulatory approval. We are not a government department or a statutory regulator, and accreditation does not by itself satisfy a requirement set by your professional body or by law.
It also says nothing about whether the activity is right for you specifically. An activity can be well designed, honestly described, properly assessed, and still be pitched at the wrong level for where you are. Read the stated audience and prior knowledge.
Accreditation compared
| Accredited CPD | Regulated qualification | Attendance certificate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independently assessed | Yes, against published standards | Yes, by an awarding organisation | No |
| Appears on a public register | Yes | Yes, on the qualification register | No |
| Sits on a national framework | No | Yes | No |
| Evidences achievement of outcomes | Where the certificate says achieved | Yes | No, attendance only |
CPD hours
The CPD hours on an accredited activity count learning time. They exclude breaks, meals, networking and promotional content. That is why an accredited full day event often states fewer hours than the length of the day, and why a number that looks generous is worth questioning.
How many hours you need, and what kinds count, is set by your own professional body rather than by us.
How to check
Every accreditation has a reference and a public register entry. Look up the reference printed on the certificate or the course page.