Certificate and Seal Usage Guidelines

The CPD Board™ Accreditation Programme

Document Title: Accredited Party Certificate and Seal Usage Guidelines

Version: 1.0

Status: Active

Effective Date: 1 June 2026

Issued By: The CPD Board™

Applies To: All organisations and individuals holding current CPD Board accreditation

Review Cycle: Annual

Contact: mail@cpdboard.com

Important: The right to use The CPD Board certificate and seal is granted to the accredited provider only and only for the duration of the current accreditation period. Any use that misrepresents accreditation status, scope, or category is prohibited and may result in suspension or revocation of accreditation.

1. Purpose

These guidelines govern how accredited providers may use The CPD Board certificate and digital seal. They apply to all individuals and organisations holding current accreditation in the Professional, Business, Not-For-Profit, or Per Programme categories.

The CPD Board mark, certificate, and seal are the intellectual property of The CPD Board. Use is a privilege granted under licence to accredited providers and may be withdrawn at any time in accordance with the Terms of Service and Code of Conduct.

These guidelines exist to protect the integrity of the accreditation programme and to ensure that learners, employers, and regulators can trust The CPD Board mark as a reliable signal of independently verified training quality and professional standards.

2. What You Receive

Upon approval, The CPD Board issues the following to each accredited provider:

2.1 Provider Accreditation Certificate & Seal

Upon approval of your provider accreditation (Professional, Business, or Not-For-Profit), you receive:

• A provider certificate stating your organisation or individual status and accreditation category
• A provider seal recognising your accreditation
• A unique provider certificate code and verification link

2.2 Per-Programme Accreditation Certificate & Seal

Each course or event you submit for accreditation receives, upon approval:

• An individual programme certificate with the programme title, CPD hours, and unique certificate code
• A per-programme seal for that specific course
• A verification link linking to that programme's accreditation record

2.3 Important Distinction

Provider accreditation does not automatically accredit your programmes. Each course must be submitted for individual per-programme assessment. The provider seal and the per-programme seal are separate credentials:

• Provider seal: Signals that your organisation/you meets CPD Board standards for training quality and professionalism.
• Per-programme seal: Signals that a specific course meets CPD Board Assessment Criteria and is approved for delivery.

3. Permitted Uses

You may use your certificate, seal, certificate code, and accreditation status on the channels and materials below, provided all use is accurate, current, and not misleading.

3.1 Digital Channels

3.2 Email Signatures

3.3 Social Media

3.4 Print and Marketing Materials

3.5 Tender and Procurement Documents

3.6 Press Releases and Media

4. Approved Wording

When referencing your accreditation in copy, use the exact approved wording below. Do not paraphrase, abbreviate, or embellish.

4.1 Provider Accreditation References

Context	Approved Wording
Full formal reference	[Name] is an Accredited CPD [Category] with The CPD Board (Certificate Code: [Code], valid until [Expiry Date]).
Short reference	Accredited CPD [Category] | The CPD Board
Email signature	Accredited CPD [Category] | The CPD Board | Valid until [Expiry Date]
Social media caption	We are proud to be Accredited CPD [Category], independently verified by The CPD Board. Verify: [verification URL] #AccreditedCPDTrainer

4.2 Per-Programme Accreditation References

Context	Approved Wording
Course page/landing page	This course is CPD-accredited by The CPD Board (Certificate Code: [Code], [X] CPD hours, valid until [Expiry Date]).
Short reference	CPD-Accredited Course | The CPD Board
Marketing materials	[Course Name] is accredited by The CPD Board. Participants can claim [X] CPD hours. Verify: [verification URL]
Tender/procurement	[Course Name] holds CPD accreditation from The CPD Board (Certificate Code: [Code], [X] CPD hours, expiry: [Expiry Date]). Status may be independently verified at: [verification URL]

4.2 Category Names

Always use the exact accreditation category. Do not abbreviate or alter:

Correct	Incorrect	Why
Accredited CPD Professional Trainer	CPD Trainer / Professional CPD	Must include full category name
Accredited CPD Training Institution	CPD Institution / Accredited Business	Exact category required
Accredited CPD Not-For-Profit Provider	NFP / NPO Accredited	No abbreviations
By The CPD Board	CPD Accredited / Board Approved	Full organisation name required

5. Seal Design Specifications

The digital seals (both provider and per-programme) are provided by The CPD Board in their final form. You must use both seals exactly as provided and must not alter them in any way.

5.1 What You May Not Change

5.2 Minimum Display Size

The seal must be displayed at a minimum size of:

• Digital: 80 × 80 pixels on screen
• Print: 25mm × 25mm

Displaying the seal at a size that makes it illegible is not permitted.

5.3 Clear Space

Maintain a minimum clear space around the seal equal to 10% of the seal's diameter on all sides. Do not crowd the seal with text or other design elements.

5.4 File Formats

The seal is provided as a PNG file with transparent background, suitable for websites, presentations, and print. If you need the seal in an alternative format (SVG, EPS, PDF), contact mail@cpdboard.com.

6. Prohibited Uses

The following uses are strictly prohibited. Breach of these rules constitutes grounds for suspension or revocation of accreditation in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Terms of Service.

6.1 Misrepresentation of Accreditation Status

• Claiming a higher accreditation category than awarded (e.g., claiming Business accreditation when only Professional accreditation was awarded).
• Using a seal or certificate from a previous accreditation period that awarded higher status.
• Claiming accreditation scope broader than what was assessed and approved.

6.2 Use After Expiry or Revocation

• Displaying the seal or certificate after the expiry date shown on the certificate.
• Continuing to use the seal or certificate following notification of suspension or revocation.
• Using the seal in new materials produced after the expiry date, even if materials reference past accreditation.

6.3 Misrepresentation of Scope

• Using your provider seal to imply that all your courses are individually CPD-accredited (use per-programme seals on individual courses only).
• Using a per-programme seal on courses that do not hold individual accreditation.
• Using the seal to imply that subsidiary companies, franchisees, or partners are accredited unless each holds its own certificate.
• Placing a per-programme seal on specific courses or products in a way that implies those items are individually accredited when organisational accreditation only was awarded.
• Using the seal in association with specific projects or contracts to imply project-level accreditation without individual per-programme approval.

6.4 Alteration and Misuse

• Altering the seal's design, colours, proportions, or any element of its appearance.
• Creating a similar or derivative mark that could be confused with The CPD Board seal.
• Using the seal in contexts implying The CPD Board endorses specific products, services, or methodologies beyond confirming accreditation status.
• Reproducing the seal or certificate on materials designed to deceive stakeholders about accreditation status.

6.5 Third-Party Use

• Licensing, sublicensing, or permitting third parties to use the seal on your behalf without prior written consent from The CPD Board.
• Allowing suppliers, partners, or distributors to display the seal as if they themselves are accredited.

6.6 Reporting Misuse

If you become aware of an organisation misusing The CPD Board mark — including use by an unaccredited provider — please report it to mail@cpdboard.com. The CPD Board investigates all reports and takes appropriate action to protect the integrity of the accreditation programme.

7. Digital Verification

Every CPD Board certificate carries a unique certificate code and QR code. Any stakeholder can verify current accreditation status at:

cpdboard.org/verify

The verification page displays:

• Your legal name
• Accreditation category
• Certificate code
• Issue and expiry dates
• Current status (Active, Suspended, Revoked, Expired)

You are encouraged to link the seal to the verification page wherever it is displayed digitally. This allows stakeholders to confirm your accreditation status with a single click and deters fraud.

Recommended link text:

• "Verify my accreditation"
• "Accredited CPD [Category] | Verify"
• "Independently verified by The CPD Board — click to confirm"

8. Intellectual Property

The CPD Board name, seal, certificate design, and all associated marks are the intellectual property of The CPD Board. All rights are reserved.

Accreditation grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to use the mark during the accreditation period and in accordance with these guidelines only. This licence does not transfer ownership of any intellectual property to you.

The CPD Board reserves the right to take legal action against any provider that misuses the mark, creates confusingly similar marks, or uses the mark in a manner that damages the reputation of the programme or The CPD Board.

9. Expiry and Renewal

9.1 Accreditation Validity Periods

• Provider accreditation: Valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
• Per-programme accreditation: Valid for 1 year from the date of issue.

The expiry date is shown on your certificate and public verification page.

9.2 Provider Accreditation – Before Expiry

• We will contact you 30 days before expiry to initiate renewal.
• You may continue to use your provider seal and certificate until the expiry date.
• New materials produced in the 30 days before expiry should include the expiry date prominently to avoid misleading stakeholders.

9.3 Per-Programme Accreditation – Renewal

• Each programme's accreditation renews automatically on the annual anniversary if fees are paid on time.
• You may continue to use the per-programme seal until the accreditation expiry date.
• We will contact you 30 days before expiry if renewal is required or if fees are pending.

9.4 At Expiry (Provider or Per-Programme)

• All use of the expired seal and certificate must cease on the expiry date.
• Update your website, social media, and email signatures to remove the expired seal on or before the expiry date.
• Your accreditation status on the public verification page changes to "Expired" automatically on the expiry date.
• You may not claim current accreditation or use The CPD Board seal on new materials.

9.5 Following Successful Renewal

• A new certificate and updated seal are issued following successful renewal.
• The new certificate replaces the previous one in all materials.
• New seal becomes active from the renewal date.

9.6 Grace Period (Provider Accreditation)

If renewal payment for provider accreditation is not received by the expiry date, you have a 30-day grace period to renew. During this period, your accreditation status is "Expired" on the public verification register. You cannot submit new programmes for accreditation. If renewal is completed within the grace period, accreditation is reinstated retroactively.

9.7 Transitional Period

If you submit a renewal assessment before the expiry date but the decision is not yet issued, you may continue to display the seal during the assessment period. We will confirm this transitional status in writing upon receipt of your renewal submission.

10. Consequences of Breach

Breach of these guidelines constitutes a violation of the Code of Conduct and Terms of Service. The CPD Board may take the following actions in response to a breach:

Action	Circumstances
Written Warning	Minor or first-time breach. You are required to correct the usage within 5 working days.
Formal Notice	Repeated minor breaches or a first-time material breach. You are required to correct the usage immediately and provide written confirmation.
Suspension	Serious or deliberate breach. Your accreditation rights are suspended pending investigation.
Revocation	Willful misrepresentation, fraud, or repeated serious breach. Accreditation is revoked with immediate effect.

11. Questions and Support

If you have questions about how to use your certificate or seal correctly, or if you wish to request the seal in an alternative format, contact:

The CPD Board is happy to review specific proposed uses of the seal or certificate and confirm whether they comply with these guidelines before publication.

© The CPD Board™ 2026. All rights reserved. This document may be shared and reproduced freely for reference purposes, provided it is reproduced in full and without alteration.