Buying guide
How long does CPD accreditation take?
Published 2 October 2026 · 5 min read
“How long will it take?” is usually the second question a training provider asks, right after price. The published answers range from five working days to around a month — and two bodies don't publish an answer at all. But the numbers aren't measuring the same thing, so here's what each one actually means.
The short version: AssuredCPD commits to a decision within five working days of a complete submission. The CPD Standards Office states up to 30 days as standard, or 14 days on a paid Fast Track. The CPD Group says it aims to begin reviewing within two to three weeks. The CPD Review Board and VeriCPD don't publish a turnaround. Whichever body you choose, an incomplete submission is the most common cause of delay.
Published turnaround times, compared
All figures below were checked on each body's own website on 2 October 2026.
| Body | What it publishes | What the figure measures |
|---|---|---|
| AssuredCPD | Decision within 5 working days of a complete submission; fee refunded if missed on a routine submission | Time to a written decision |
| CPD Standards Office | Standard assessment “up to 30 days from a full submission”; 14-day Fast Track “for an additional fee” | Time to approval |
| The CPD Group | “aims to begin reviewing submissions within 2 to 3 weeks” | Time until review starts |
| CPD Review Board (formerly CPD Standards Board) | No turnaround published | — |
| VeriCPD | No turnaround published | — |
Why the headline number isn't the whole story
When does the clock start? Most bodies start counting from a complete submission, not from the day you first send something. At AssuredCPD the five-working-day clock starts only when everything in section 5 of the Standards Framework has arrived; incomplete submissions are returned with a list of what's missing.
What does the clock end with? A decision, an approval, or the start of a review are three different things. “Begin reviewing within two to three weeks” tells you when someone opens your file, not when you'll hear back.
Questions pause it. At AssuredCPD, if the assessor needs more information the clock pauses while you respond and resumes when your answer arrives. One round of clarification is normal.
Not every first decision is a yes. If a domain is Partially met, our decision is Conditional: you're accredited once named conditions are met, typically within 30 days. If a course is declined, you can resubmit once the issues are fixed, and the first resubmission within 60 days is assessed free. Plan your launch date around the possibility that you'll need one of these.
How to get a decision faster, wherever you apply
- Send a complete submission first time. Our guide to what goes in an application lists everything an assessor needs.
- Write outcomes an assessor can check. Vague outcomes are one of the commonest reasons for a Partially met score — see how to write learning outcomes that pass.
- Justify your CPD hours. Inflated hour claims are the most common reason for a Partially met score under our framework — see CPD hours explained.
- Include a real assessment. Attendance alone isn't evidence of learning — see how to design an assessment that passes.
FAQ
How long does CPD accreditation take in the UK?
Published figures vary. AssuredCPD commits to a decision within five working days of a complete submission. The CPD Standards Office states up to 30 days from a full submission as standard, with a 14-day Fast Track for an additional fee. The CPD Group says it aims to begin reviewing submissions within two to three weeks. The CPD Review Board and VeriCPD do not publish a turnaround time.
When does the CPD accreditation clock start?
Usually from a complete submission rather than the first contact. At AssuredCPD the five-working-day clock starts only when every item listed in section 5 of the Standards Framework has been received, and it pauses while the provider answers any clarification question.
What is the fastest way to get a course CPD accredited?
Submit everything the assessor needs first time: a course outline, demonstrable learning outcomes, a representative sample of materials, your assessment method and pass criteria, claimed CPD hours with a justification, and your content review policy. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delay.