FAQs

CPD is an essential, recognised approach to helping individuals, organisations and entire industries to keep skills and knowledge up to date. CPD supports the ongoing development of professional skills and knowledge in line with increasing globalisation and consumer demand. For individuals, it enables learning to become conscious and proactive, rather than passive and encourages professionals to maintain consistent levels of high performance and demonstrate commitment towards a particular job role or profession.

CPD is carried out by millions of individuals across a whole range of industries and professions. Most professional bodies and institutes will provide individuals with Continuing Professional Development requirements, generally as a set number of CPD training hours to achieve each year. Over recent decades, we have seen the commitment to CPD reach far beyond the traditional industries and institutional bodies of the UK to what is now recognised and embraced across the world.

Independent assessment demonstrates to attendees the steps taken to deliver high-quality training. The CPD Certification Service provides CPD accreditation, supporting organisations and professionals across all sectors in over 100 countries. Our CPD symbols offer professional bodies, institutional associations, educational providers and consumers reassurance that further learning has been through our assessment process.

The majority of institutions and professional bodies provide Continuing Professional Development targets generally set on an annual basis. These targets are defined by the accrual of CPD activities through attendance in training courses, eLearning and events, as well as other forms of structured learning. Most professional bodies use CPD hours as their measure, and where CPD points or credits are used, these are typically a 1:1 ratio with CPD hours. By this, 1 CPD point would be equal to 1 CPD hour.

The majority of institutions and professional bodies will allow members to choose subjects of relevance to them, whilst a minority will require their members to seek CPD training on a particular range of core subjects. All professionals must understand how CPD should be recorded and how much learning time is required for their role each year. As a general rule, we advise that at least 50% of CPD be completed in a structured CPD / active learning environment.

CPD is something that most people will do on an ongoing basis as part of their career. To reflect and keep track of learning, it is important to maintain a regular and up to date record of any completed learning and development activities, as well as future goals or professional achievements in the work environment. A CPD log and record of learning activities undertaken can be kept using an online purpose-built CPD recording tool, such as the myCPD Portal.

The type of Continuing Professional Development varies depending on a range of different learning methods. CPD can be broadly defined within three areas: Structured CPD / Active Learning, Reflective CPD / Passive Learning and Informal CPD / Self-Directed Learning. The most recognised and popular forms of CPD combine different methodologies to learning, which include training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, educational events, webinars and online eLearning programs.

The CPD Cycle is a practical tool that helps individuals to structure their Continuing Professional Development learning easily throughout the year, and to identify regular and measurable improvements in work-related skills and knowledge. There are five key stages of the CPD Cycle that are important when planning professional development activities for the year. These include Stage 1 - Identifying Your Needs, Stage 2 – Planning, Stage 3 - Acting/Doing, Stage 4 - Reflecting on Learning, Stage 5 - Implement your New Learning.

myCPD Portal is a free online record tool that allows individuals and organisations to log, track and manage their Continuing Professional Development in one simple place. Users can set annual CPD targets, review training records, store attendance certificates and monitor learning progress. This makes it easier to reflect on knowledge and skills that have been obtained throughout the year.

The accreditation process involves a thorough review of the structure and value of training materials. Each submission is reviewed and assessed against our assessment criteria, developed by The CPD Certification Service over the past 30 years.

Independent assessment demonstrates to attendees the steps taken to deliver high-quality training. The CPD Certification Service is an independent organisation that provides CPD accreditation, supporting organisations and professionals across all sectors in over 100 countries. Our CPD symbols offer professional bodies, institutional associations, educational providers and consumers reassurance that further learning has been through our assessment process.

CPD certification is a straightforward process and follows an intentionally practical method that is focused on providing high-quality learning for delegates and attendees. Each CPD training course or event is reviewed against our assessment criteria across a number of key areas. Our Assessments team provide feedback and recommendations where suitable to help support and develop learning.

The Delegate Certificate Service (DCS) is a membership feature available to all CPD providers at no additional cost designed to save time and cost when administering post-training attendance certificates. The CPD Certification Service provides certificates of attendance for organisations ranging from small consultancy firms to large training providers, multi-national corporations, conference & event organisers, universities, further education colleges, local authorities, councils and Government departments.