Comparison
AssuredCPD vs CPD Standards Office: an honest comparison
Published 21 August 2026 · 6 min read
The CPD Standards Office is one of the longer-established names in UK CPD accreditation, and it's a fair body to compare ourselves against directly. This isn't a takedown — it's what we found when we checked their website against ours in August 2026, with sources linked so you can check it yourself.
The short version: we could not find published pricing anywhere on the CPD Standards Office website — every route to accreditation leads to booking a call. Their site states routine turnaround of up to 30 days, with an expedited option available in 14. AssuredCPD publishes every price and commits to five working days, with a money-back guarantee if we miss it.
What we checked, and when
We reviewed cpdstandards.com directly on 21 August 2026: the homepage, the "become a CPD provider" page, and the FAQs. We looked for published prices, contract terms, and stated turnaround times. Where we found a claim on their site, we've quoted it. Where we couldn't find one — per-certificate fees and minimum contract length, for instance — we've said so rather than repeating an unverified figure from elsewhere.
| Question | AssuredCPD | CPD Standards Office |
|---|---|---|
| Are prices published online? | Yes, in full, incl. renewals | Not found — site directs to "book a call" |
| Single-course accreditation | £350 first year, £245 renewal | Not published |
| Multi-course membership | £975–£3,330/yr (5–50 courses) | Not published |
| Routine turnaround | 5 working days, money-back guarantee | Up to 30 days (stated on their site) |
| Expedited option | Not needed — 5 days is the standard | Available, approved status within 14 days (price not published) |
| Per-certificate fees | None, ever | Not stated — ask directly |
| Minimum contract | None | Not stated — ask directly |
Where the real difference is
Both bodies offer an independent CPD accreditation mark to UK training providers, and both let you check assessed courses publicly. Where they genuinely differ, based on what's published, is speed and transparency. AssuredCPD's full price list — every tier, every renewal rate — sits on the pricing page with no form to fill in first. The CPD Standards Office's site is built around getting you on a call before you see a number, which is a common pattern across this market and not unique to them.
On turnaround, their own FAQ states routine applications take up to 30 days, with an expedited path that can return approved status within 14. That expedited option is a genuine strength worth acknowledging — it just isn't the default, and its price isn't published either. AssuredCPD's five working days applies to every application, not an upgrade tier, and it comes with a money-back guarantee if we miss it.
What we couldn't verify — and won't guess at
Two things come up often in provider forums about incumbent CPD bodies: per-certificate fees and multi-year contract minimums. We could not find either confirmed on the CPD Standards Office's current website, so we're not repeating a specific figure here. If those matter to your budget, the honest move is to ask them directly for both in writing before you apply — and to compare the answer against AssuredCPD's position: no per-certificate fees, ever, and no minimum contract term.
Why we're publishing this at all
Comparison pages in this market are usually written by whoever's the underdog, which makes them easy to dismiss. We think the fairer approach is to link our sources, say plainly what we couldn't confirm, and let the gaps speak for themselves. A body that publishes its full price list has less to hide by definition than one that doesn't — and this page is itself an example of the openness we're asking you to judge us on.
FAQ
Does the CPD Standards Office publish its prices?
Not that we could find. As of August 2026, its website has no pricing or membership page showing figures, and every path to becoming accredited leads to booking a call with a CPD advisor. AssuredCPD publishes every price, including renewals, on its pricing page.
How long does CPD Standards Office accreditation take?
Its website states that routine applications take up to 30 days from a complete submission, with an expedited option that can grant approved status within 14 days. AssuredCPD commits to five working days for every application, with a money-back guarantee if that deadline is missed.
Is AssuredCPD cheaper than the CPD Standards Office?
We can't say for certain, because the CPD Standards Office doesn't publish its prices publicly. What we can say is that AssuredCPD's full price list, including renewal rates, is published on the website with no call required. If a body won't tell you the price before you apply, that's worth factoring into the comparison on its own.
Which CPD accreditation body should I choose?
It depends on what you value most. If a longer-established name matters more to your buyers than transparency or turnaround, that's a legitimate choice. If you want to know the price and the timeline before you commit to anything, AssuredCPD is built around answering both questions upfront.
Figures for the CPD Standards Office are drawn from cpdstandards.com as it appeared on 21 August 2026 and may have changed since — we recommend confirming directly with them before making a decision. AssuredCPD's figures are live on our pricing page and update immediately if they ever change.