What is CPD accreditation?

CPD accreditation is the independent review of a training course, event or learning activity against defined criteria for continuing professional development.

For training providers, CPD accreditation helps show that learning is structured, relevant, professionally valuable and designed with clear outcomes in mind.

CPD accreditation in the UK is commonly used by organisations that deliver professional learning and want to build trust with learners, employers, members, delegates and clients.

It gives added confidence that a course or training activity has been assessed against defined criteria rather than simply published without external review.

For providers, this can support stronger positioning in the market, clearer professional credibility and greater confidence when issuing CPD certificates for approved learning.

Who can apply for CPD accreditation?

CPD accreditation is relevant to a wide range of training providers and organisations delivering professional learning.

• Training companies and commercial course providers
• Coaches, consultants and specialist educators
• Webinar and workshop providers
• Conference and event organisers
• In-house learning and development teams
• Membership bodies and associations
• Online course creators and digital learning businesses
• Employers delivering structured staff training

Whether an organisation delivers one flagship course or a broader training portfolio, CPD accreditation can demonstrate that learning has been independently assessed for structure, relevance and professional development value.

What learning can be CPD accredited?

VeriCPD can assess a wide range of professional learning formats for independent CPD accreditation, provided the learning is structured, relevant and professionally useful.

• Face-to-face training courses
• Online courses and eLearning programmes
• Live webinars
• Workshops and masterclasses
• Seminars and briefings
• Conferences and learning events
• Blended learning programmes
• Internal staff development training

Learning activities with clear objectives, defined outcomes and genuine professional value may be suitable for VeriCPD accreditation.

What VeriCPD does

VeriCPD is an independent UK CPD accreditation body. We assess submitted courses and learning activities against the published VeriCPD Criteria through a structured, assessor-led review process.

The review considers areas including learning objectives and outcomes, course structure, professional relevance, duration, delivery and the quality of supporting learning materials where applicable.

If you are researching how much CPD accreditation costs, VeriCPD publishes a clear fixed pricing structure based on the number of courses included.

Initial assessment is free of charge and without obligation. If the submitted learning is suitable for accreditation, the provider can then decide whether to proceed. Published accreditation prices start from £350 for one course, with different pricing levels for multiple-course accreditation.

Why CPD accreditation matters

CPD accreditation helps training providers demonstrate the quality, relevance and professional value of their learning.

In a competitive market, independent assessment can distinguish structured professional learning from training that has not been externally reviewed against defined accreditation criteria.

• Build trust in courses, workshops and events
• Show clear learning outcomes and professional relevance
• Improve credibility with learners and organisations
• Strengthen the value of CPD certificates for approved learning
• Support buyers looking for independently reviewed training
• Help position a training brand as a serious professional learning provider

Why choose VeriCPD?

Independent, assessor-led review

Submitted learning is assessed through a structured accreditation process designed to evaluate learning quality, relevance and professional development value.

Built for modern training providers

The VeriCPD Criteria can be applied to face-to-face, virtual, online and blended learning formats, reflecting the different ways professional learning is delivered today.

Clear and practical process

The accreditation process is structured and transparent, with defined information requirements and published assessment criteria.

Free initial assessment

Initial assessment is free of charge and without obligation. Providers can submit their learning for review before deciding whether to proceed with paid accreditation.

No per-learner or certificate fees

VeriCPD does not charge a separate fee for each learner or certificate. Providers of approved learning can issue their own learner certificates using the appropriate VeriCPD accreditation details and mark, subject to the applicable usage requirements.

Public accreditation verification

Current accreditation can be checked through the VeriCPD verification register, providing an accessible way to confirm an approved accreditation record.

Our CPD accreditation criteria

To be suitable for VeriCPD accreditation, training should demonstrate clear professional value and a structured approach to learning. VeriCPD reviews submitted learning against the published VeriCPD Criteria, including areas such as:

• Clear learning objectives
• Relevant and up-to-date subject matter
• Defined learner outcomes
• Logical structure and delivery
• Appropriate duration and CPD value
• Professional relevance for the intended audience
• Quality of supporting materials where applicable
• Overall clarity, consistency and educational value

This structured review process helps ensure that VeriCPD-accredited learning is meaningful, credible and professionally relevant rather than simply promotional or self-declared.

About CPD accreditation in the UK

There is no single statutory UK standard for general CPD accreditation. VeriCPD provides independent, non-statutory accreditation by assessing submitted learning against the VeriCPD Criteria.

How VeriCPD works

VeriCPD uses a structured, assessor-led process for reviewing courses and learning activities for CPD accreditation.

Learn more about how CPD accreditation works and what makes a course CPD compliant.

Training information

The accreditation process considers information about the course, event or learning activity, including its aims, intended audience, format, learning objectives and supporting materials.

Assessment review

The submitted learning is reviewed against the VeriCPD Criteria, considering structure, relevance, learner value and the overall quality of the learning activity.

Accreditation decision

Following review, a decision is made on whether the course or learning activity satisfies the VeriCPD Criteria for CPD accreditation. Where reasonable amendments are required, these can normally be identified before a final accreditation decision is made.

Accreditation approval

Training that satisfies the VeriCPD Criteria can be recognised as VeriCPD accredited, with supporting accreditation documentation, an accreditation number and an approved CPD value where applicable.

What happens after approval?

Approved training can be promoted as VeriCPD accredited, providing independent evidence that the learning has been reviewed against the published VeriCPD Criteria.

Providers can use the approved VeriCPD accreditation mark in connection with the accredited learning, subject to the applicable usage requirements. Accreditation records can also be checked through the public VeriCPD verification register.

• Promote approved learning as VeriCPD accredited
• Use the approved VeriCPD accreditation mark appropriately
• Issue learner certificates for approved learning
• Strengthen confidence in the professional value of training
• Provide independently verifiable evidence of accreditation

CPD accreditation for online courses, webinars and digital learning

VeriCPD provides CPD accreditation for online courses as well as classroom and blended learning. Online courses, eLearning programmes, live webinars, virtual workshops and other structured digital learning activities can all be considered for accreditation.

Online learning is assessed against the same underlying VeriCPD Criteria, with consideration given to the learning objectives, course structure, duration, professional relevance, supporting materials and assessment or knowledge checks where appropriate.

This means an online course does not need to be delivered in a classroom to be considered for independent CPD accreditation. What matters is whether the learning activity provides structured, relevant and professionally valuable continuing professional development.

Read more about CPD accreditation for online courses and digital learning.

Frequently asked questions

What is CPD accreditation?

CPD accreditation is the independent review of a training course, event or learning activity against defined criteria for continuing professional development.

Who can apply for CPD accreditation?

CPD accreditation can be relevant to training providers, course creators, coaches, consultants, event organisers, membership organisations and businesses delivering structured professional learning.

Can online courses be CPD accredited?

Yes. VeriCPD can assess online courses, eLearning programmes, webinars and virtual workshops for CPD accreditation. The learning is reviewed against the VeriCPD Criteria in the same way as other suitable professional learning formats.

Does VeriCPD accredit online courses?

Yes. VeriCPD provides independent CPD accreditation for suitable online courses and digital learning programmes. Courses are assessed for areas including learning objectives, structure, professional relevance, duration and educational value.

What is the difference between CPD accreditation and CPD certification?

CPD accreditation refers to the assessment and approval of a course or learning activity against defined criteria. CPD certification generally refers to documentation used to evidence accredited learning or a learner’s completion of that learning.

What types of training can be CPD accredited?

A wide range of learning formats may be suitable, including classroom courses, online courses, workshops, seminars, webinars, conferences, eLearning programmes and blended training.

Is VeriCPD accreditation statutory?

No. There is no single statutory UK standard for general CPD accreditation. VeriCPD provides independent, non-statutory accreditation by assessing submitted learning against the published VeriCPD Criteria.

Can VeriCPD accreditation be verified?

Yes. Current VeriCPD accreditation records can be checked through the public VeriCPD verification register.

Why is CPD accreditation important for training providers?

CPD accreditation can help training providers build trust, improve credibility, demonstrate professional relevance and strengthen the value of their courses and learner certificates.

How does the CPD accreditation process work?

The process involves providing information about the training, its learning objectives, intended audience, format and supporting materials. The learning is then assessed against the VeriCPD Criteria before an accreditation decision is made.

Learn more about CPD accreditation

VeriCPD provides guidance explaining the criteria, terminology and processes involved in independent CPD accreditation.

Explore how CPD accreditation works, learn what makes a course CPD compliant, read about CPD certification, or view CPD accreditation costs.

Existing accreditation records can be checked through the VeriCPD verification register.