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The published standard

AssuredCPD Standards Framework

Version 1.0 · Effective 8 June 2026 · Reviewed annually

This is the published framework against which all AssuredCPD accreditation decisions are made. It is written to be read by applicants, assessors, learners, and buyers alike. It is reviewed annually. Where this document and a marketing summary differ, this document governs.

1. Purpose and scope

The AssuredCPD Standards Framework defines what it means for a course or programme to be CPD accredited by AssuredCPD. It sets out:

• the six assessment domains every submission is judged against;
• the evidence an applicant must provide;
• how decisions are made and within what timeframe;
• the rights of an applicant to clarification, conditional approval, and appeal;
• the obligations that accreditation places on the provider.

The framework applies to every accreditation route: single-course accreditation and all annual membership tiers. It applies to live, blended, and self-paced online learning.

What accreditation is. A judgement, by a named independent assessor, that a unit of learning is well-designed, has clear and achievable outcomes, is delivered to a consistent professional standard, assesses learning credibly, justifies its claimed CPD hours, and is kept current.

What accreditation is not. It is not a regulated qualification, a government endorsement, or a guarantee of commercial outcomes. AssuredCPD is not a regulator. Accreditation does not make a course "Ofqual-approved," "government-approved," or an "official qualification," and accredited providers may not describe it as such (see §9).

2. Principles

The framework rests on recognised quality principles — documented standards, consistent and repeatable assessment, evidence-based decisions, and a defined review cycle. AssuredCPD is an independent accreditation body; it makes no claim to ISO certification or to any other external standard.

Four principles run through every decision:

1. Independence — AssuredCPD sells only accreditation. It does not produce or sell training content and does not compete with the providers it accredits.
2. Transparency — the standard is public, the price is public, and every decision is given in writing with reasons.
3. Proportionality — the depth of assessment is proportionate to the claim being made (a 1-hour micro-course is assessed less heavily than a 40-hour programme).
4. Currency — accreditation reflects the course as it is now, and is conditional on the provider keeping it current.

3. Eligibility

A provider may apply if:

• they own or are licensed to deliver the course materials submitted;
• the course has defined learning outcomes and a defined audience;
• the course is lawful and does not promote harm, discrimination, or misinformation;
• the provider can supply the evidence listed in §5.

AssuredCPD may decline, without assessment, any submission that is unlawful, materially misleading, or designed to circumvent the framework.

4. The six assessment domains

Each domain is scored Met / Partially met / Not met. Accreditation requires all six domains Met. A domain Partially met may lead to a conditional decision (§6); any domain Not met leads to a declined decision with a route to resubmit.

D1 — Learning design

Clear aims; a logical structure; content pitched appropriately for the stated audience and level; a coherent progression from start to finish.

Met when: aims are stated, structure is logical, and the level is appropriate and consistent.

D2 — Learning outcomes

Outcomes are specific, measurable, and achievable through the course. A learner can reasonably be expected to demonstrate each outcome on completion.

Met when: outcomes are written as demonstrable capabilities (not vague aspirations) and are covered by the content.

D3 — Delivery and accessibility

Materials and facilitation meet a consistent professional standard. Reasonable accessibility considerations are addressed (readable materials, captions or transcripts for video where practicable, no avoidable barriers).

Met when: materials are professional and usable, and no significant accessibility barrier is left unaddressed.

D4 — Assessment of learning

A credible method confirms the learner has met the outcomes — a quiz with a pass threshold, an assignment, a reflective task, or a practical demonstration. The method matches the outcomes it tests.

Met when: there is a defined, appropriate check of learning with a clear pass condition.

D5 — CPD-hour justification

The claimed CPD hours are proportionate and evidenced by the depth and length of the learning. Inflated hour claims are the most common reason for a Partially met score.

Met when: claimed hours are reasonable for the content and supported by a brief, honest justification.

D6 — Currency and review

Content is current at the time of assessment, and the provider has a defined plan to review and update it (e.g. an annual review, or review triggered by regulatory or factual change).

Met when: content is current and a review cadence is stated.

5. Evidence required

A complete submission includes:

1. Course outline — modules/lessons and approximate durations.
2. Learning outcomes — the stated, demonstrable outcomes.
3. A representative sample of materials — enough for the assessor to judge quality (e.g. one full module, or slides plus a script).
4. Assessment method and pass criteria — how learning is checked and what counts as a pass.
5. Claimed CPD hours with justification — the number and a short rationale.
6. Content review policy — how and when the course is kept current.

The five-working-day clock (§6) starts only when a submission is complete. Incomplete submissions are returned with a list of what is missing.

6. The assessment process and the five-day commitment

The money-back guarantee. For routine submissions, if AssuredCPD does not return a decision within five working days of a complete submission, the assessment fee for that submission is refunded. The guarantee covers turnaround, not outcome — a fast Declined decision is still a decision delivered on time.

Clarification. If the assessor needs more information, the clock pauses while the provider responds and resumes on receipt. One clarification round is normal; repeated incompleteness may reset the submission.

Decision categories

• Accredited — all six domains Met. The mark, directory listing, and certificate rights are granted.
• Conditional — one or more domains Partially met. Accreditation is granted on completion of named, time-bound conditions (typically within 30 days). The assessor confirms when conditions are met.
• Declined — one or more domains Not met. A written rationale is given, with specific, actionable guidance. The provider may resubmit once addressed; the first resubmission within 60 days is assessed at no additional fee.

7. Appeals

A provider who disagrees with a decision may appeal in writing within 20 working days. Appeals are reviewed by a different assessor from the one who made the original decision, and where an advisory board is in place, contested appeals may be escalated to it. The appeal outcome — upheld, amended, or original decision confirmed — is issued in writing within 15 working days, with reasons. Appeals concern the application of this framework; they are not a route to relax the standard itself.

8. Obligations of an accredited provider

Accreditation is a continuing relationship, not a one-off stamp. An accredited provider must:

• deliver the course substantially as assessed; material changes must be notified and may require re-assessment;
• use the AssuredCPD mark only on accredited courses and only per the brand/logo licence;
• issue certificates only for learners who have genuinely met the assessment;
• keep content current per the review policy in their submission;
• cooperate with any quality audit (Member-50 providers receive a scheduled annual audit; all routes may be subject to spot review);
• correct or withdraw any claim AssuredCPD identifies as non-compliant under §9.

Accreditation may be suspended or withdrawn for material breach, misuse of the mark, or issuing certificates for learning not completed. Withdrawal is given in writing with reasons and a right of appeal.

9. Permitted and prohibited claims

Accredited providers (and AssuredCPD itself) must keep marketing claims accurate and compliant with UK advertising rules (ASA/CAP).

Permitted: "CPD accredited by AssuredCPD," "independently accredited," "internationally recognised," "assessor-led," and — once true — "listed on The CPD Register."

Prohibited: "Ofqual-approved," "government-approved," "official qualification," "regulated qualification," or any unverifiable superlative such as "the UK's leading CPD body." Accreditation must never be described as a regulated qualification.

10. Review of this framework

This framework is reviewed at least annually, and sooner if regulatory expectations or sector practice change materially. Version history is maintained below. Material changes are communicated to accredited providers, and existing accreditations are honoured to their renewal date under the version current at the time of their decision.

AssuredCPD is an independent CPD accreditation body. It is not a government or regulatory body and does not award regulated qualifications. This framework is a published standard, not legal or regulatory advice.