Getting accredited
How to get a course CPD accredited in the UK
Published 9 July 2026 · 6 min read
Getting a course CPD accredited in the UK is more straightforward than most providers expect. In short: you submit your course materials to an independent accreditation body, an assessor reviews them against a published set of standards, and — if the course meets them — you receive an accreditation reference, a quality mark you can display, and certificates your learners can have verified. With AssuredCPD, that decision comes within five working days of a complete submission. This guide walks through the whole process, step by step.
First, what CPD accreditation is (and isn't)
CPD accreditation is independent confirmation that a piece of Continuing Professional Development is well-designed, has clear learning outcomes, and genuinely helps people develop. It is not a regulated qualification — accreditation bodies are not awarding bodies or regulators. What it gives you is a recognised, third-party quality mark that employers, learners, and professional bodies can trust. If you want the fuller explanation, see what "CPD accredited" really means.
Before you apply: what you'll need
You don't need anything elaborate — just the materials that describe and deliver your course. Having these ready makes the application quick:
- The course title, format (e-learning, workshop, webinar, etc.) and duration.
- A clear set of learning outcomes — what a learner will be able to do afterwards.
- Your course content or materials (slides, workbook, module outline, video list — whatever you use to deliver it).
- How you assess or confirm learning (a quiz, assignment, reflective task, or completion check).
- Who the course is for and roughly how many CPD hours it represents.
Not sure whether your format even qualifies? Almost every structured learning format can be accredited — see what we accredit.
The step-by-step process
1. Prepare and submit your application
Complete the application form with your organisation and course details, and attach your materials. There's no "qualifying call" to book first and no hidden pricing — the cost is published openly on the pricing page, so you know exactly what you're committing to before you start.
2. A named assessor reviews your course
Your submission is assessed against the AssuredCPD Standards Framework — a published set of criteria covering learning design, outcomes, content quality, delivery, assessment of learning, and the CPD-hours claim. The same framework applies to everyone, so the bar is consistent and knowable rather than a matter of opinion.
3. We come back to you if anything's missing
If the assessor needs a clarification or a small addition, they'll ask — you don't have to guess. Most courses that need changes need only minor ones, and knowing exactly what's expected up front means there are rarely surprises.
4. You receive a decision — within five working days
Once your submission is complete, you get a decision within five working days. No open-ended waiting, no chasing. (Curious how we manage that turnaround without cutting corners? We wrote about it in how we assess a course in five days.)
5. You get your mark and verifiable certificates
On approval, you receive an accreditation reference, a licence to display the AssuredCPD mark on your course and marketing, a listing in our provider directory, and the ability to issue certificates that carry a unique code. Anyone — an employer, a learner, a regulator — can confirm that code on our Verify page in seconds.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
The assessment itself takes up to five working days from a complete submission. Preparing your materials is usually the longer part, and that's in your hands. On cost, there are no per-certificate fees and no lock-in — single-course accreditation and annual membership tiers are all listed, in pounds, on the pricing page.
What happens after you're accredited
Accreditation runs for a set period and is renewable, so your mark stays current as long as the course does. You get ongoing use of the logo, your directory listing, unlimited verifiable certificates, and — on the larger memberships — added support such as an annual quality review. Everything an accredited provider receives is set out on the for providers page.
Ready to start?
If your course has clear outcomes and a genuine way of confirming learning, it's likely closer to accreditation than you think. Gather your materials, and apply — you'll have a decision within the week.