If you are new to CPD, you may also want to start with our main CPD accreditation overview, understand how CPD accreditation works, and review what makes a course CPD compliant.

What does CPD accreditation involve?

CPD accreditation is the independent review of a course, training programme or learning activity to confirm that it meets recognised continuing professional development standards.

This review focuses on whether the training is structured, relevant and professionally valuable. It looks at learning objectives, content, delivery and expected outcomes.

The aim is to ensure that learning is meaningful and suitable for professional development, rather than informal or purely promotional content.

Who can apply for CPD accreditation?

CPD accreditation is suitable for a wide range of providers delivering structured learning.

• Training providers and course creators
• Coaches and consultants
• Online course providers and eLearning platforms
• Webinar and workshop providers
• Event organisers and conference providers
• In-house training and development teams

If your training is designed to deliver professional value and includes clear learning outcomes, it is likely to be suitable for CPD accreditation.

Step-by-step: how to get CPD accreditation

The CPD accreditation process follows a structured approach designed to assess training fairly and consistently.

For a full breakdown of the process, see how CPD accreditation works.

Step 1: Define your training clearly

Before applying, make sure your training is clearly structured. You should be able to explain what the course covers, who it is for and what learners will gain.

Strong applications usually include defined learning objectives, clear content structure and a logical delivery format.

Step 2: Prepare your course information

You will need to provide details about your training, including its aims, format, duration and supporting materials.

This helps assess whether the learning is suitable for professional development and meets CPD expectations.

Step 3: Submit your training for review

Your training is submitted for assessment. This is where it is reviewed against CPD criteria such as structure, relevance and learning outcomes.

To understand these criteria in more detail, see what makes a course CPD compliant.

Step 4: Assessment and evaluation

The training is reviewed to determine whether it meets recognised CPD standards. This includes evaluating content quality, structure and professional value.

The aim is not to overcomplicate the process, but to ensure that the learning is clear, relevant and genuinely useful for professional development.

Step 5: Accreditation decision

Once the review is complete, a decision is made on whether the training meets the required standard for CPD accreditation.

If approved, the training can be presented as CPD accredited.

Step 6: Certification and recognition

Approved training can be supported with CPD certification, helping providers demonstrate credibility and issue recognised certificates where applicable.

You can learn more about this in our guide to CPD certification.

What you need before applying

Before applying for CPD accreditation, it is important to ensure your training is properly prepared.

Providers should be able to clearly demonstrate:

• Defined learning objectives
• Structured content and delivery
• Clear target audience
• Relevant and up-to-date subject matter
• Expected learning outcomes

Training does not need to be complex, but it does need to be structured and professionally relevant.

How long does CPD accreditation take?

The time required for CPD accreditation can vary depending on the complexity of the training and the information provided.

Clear, well-structured submissions are generally easier to assess and can move through the process more efficiently.

Delays often occur when training lacks clear structure or supporting information, so preparation is an important part of the process.

Common mistakes to avoid

Some training providers struggle with CPD accreditation because their learning is not clearly structured or professionally defined.

Common issues include:

• Lack of clear learning objectives
• Content that is too informal or unstructured
• Training designed mainly for marketing rather than learning
• Unclear target audience
• No defined outcomes for learners

Avoiding these issues can significantly improve the chances of successful accreditation.

CPD accreditation for online courses and webinars

Online learning is now a major part of professional development, and CPD accreditation supports digital formats.

Courses delivered through eLearning platforms, webinars and virtual workshops can all be accredited if they meet recognised standards.

If you deliver digital training, read our guide to CPD accreditation for online courses.

Why CPD accreditation is worth it

CPD accreditation helps training providers present their learning more professionally and build trust with learners and organisations.

• Improve credibility and trust
• Strengthen course positioning
• Support learner confidence
• Demonstrate professional value
• Stand out in a competitive training market

For many providers, accreditation becomes an important part of how their training is perceived and chosen.

Ready to get CPD accreditation?

If you want to get CPD accreditation for your training, VeriCPD can help guide you through the process.

Start by exploring our CPD accreditation page, review how the process works, or contact us to take the next step.