Comparison
AssuredCPD vs CPD Standards Office: an honest comparison
Published 21 August 2026 · Updated 2 October 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: the CPD Standards Office doesn't publish prices — it quotes each provider individually on a free consultation call. Its site states standard assessment takes up to 30 days from a full submission, with a 14-day Fast Track for an additional fee, and its membership runs for a minimum of two years. AssuredCPD publishes every price, has no minimum term, and commits to five working days with a money-back guarantee if we miss it.
What we checked, and when
We first reviewed cpdstandards.com on 21 August 2026 and re-checked it on 2 October 2026, after the CPD Standards Office published a new cost page (last updated 24 August 2026) and revised its process page. Everything below quotes what their site now states. Two of the changes work in their favour, and we've recorded both.
| Question | AssuredCPD | CPD Standards Office |
|---|---|---|
| Are prices published online? | Yes, in full, incl. renewals | No — “quoted to fit your training” on a free consultation call |
| Single-course accreditation | £350 first year, £245 renewal | Quoted individually |
| Multi-course membership | £975–£3,330/yr (5–50 courses) | Quoted individually |
| Standard turnaround | 5 working days, money-back guarantee | Up to 30 days from a full submission |
| Faster option | Not needed — 5 days is the standard | 14-day Fast Track for an additional fee (price given on the call) |
| Learner certificates | Unlimited, no per-certificate fees | Unlimited under your accreditation |
| Minimum term | None — cancel any time | Two years, then one-year rolling |
| Renewal | 30% off the first-year price, published | Year two paid 13 months after joining, 15% discount |
| Scale | UK body founded in 2026 | Members in 72 countries (their figure) |
Where the real difference is
Both bodies offer an independent CPD accreditation mark to training providers, both include unlimited learner certificates, and both list accredited providers in a public directory. The CPD Standards Office is far larger and longer-established — it states it has members in 72 countries — and if an established name matters most to your buyers, that is a real advantage. Where the two genuinely differ, based on what each publishes, is price transparency, commitment, and speed.
AssuredCPD's full price list — every tier, every renewal rate — sits on the pricing page with no call required, and there is no minimum term. The CPD Standards Office quotes each provider on a consultation call and its membership runs for a minimum of two years. On turnaround, their site states standard assessment takes up to 30 days from a full submission, with a 14-day Fast Track available for an additional fee; AssuredCPD's five working days is the standard for every application, not a paid upgrade, and routine submissions come with a money-back guarantee if we miss it.
What changed since our first version
When we first published this comparison in August, we couldn't find per-certificate fees or a minimum contract term on the CPD Standards Office's website, so we didn't state either. Both are now published. Certificates are unlimited under a CPD Standards Office accreditation — a point in their favour we're glad to record. Membership runs for a minimum of two years before continuing on a one-year rolling basis, with the second year paid 13 months after joining at a 15% discount. AssuredCPD accreditation runs for 12 months with no minimum term, and you can cancel any time.
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?
No. Its cost page, last updated 24 August 2026, says there is no single fixed price and that accreditation is quoted to fit your training on a free consultation call. AssuredCPD publishes every price, including renewals, on its pricing page.
How long does CPD Standards Office accreditation take?
Its website states that standard assessment takes up to 30 days from a full submission, and its process page offers a 14-day Fast Track assessment for an additional fee. AssuredCPD commits to five working days as standard, at no extra cost, with the assessment fee refunded if it misses that deadline on a routine submission.
Does the CPD Standards Office have a minimum contract?
Yes. Its process page states that membership runs for a minimum of two years and then continues on a one-year rolling basis, with the first year paid on application and the second at renewal 13 months later, at a 15% discount. AssuredCPD has no minimum term.
Is AssuredCPD cheaper than the CPD Standards Office?
We can't say for certain, because the CPD Standards Office quotes prices individually rather than publishing them. What can be compared directly: both include unlimited learner certificates; AssuredCPD publishes every price and has no minimum term, while CPD Standards Office membership has a two-year minimum.
Which CPD accreditation body should I choose?
It depends on what you value most. If a larger, 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, without a multi-year term, AssuredCPD is built around answering both questions upfront.
Figures for the CPD Standards Office are drawn from cpdstandards.com as it appeared on 2 October 2026 (its cost page states it was last updated on 24 August 2026) and may change — 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.