Frequently Asked Questions

What is CPD?
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is structured, ongoing learning professionals undertake to maintain and improve the knowledge, skills and competence required for their roles. It covers workshops, webinars, conferences, self-study, workplace learning and assessed activities.

What’s the difference between CPD, CEU and CLE?
CPD is the broad international term. CEU (Continuing Education Unit) is used by some accreditors (for example, certain standards equate 1 CEU with 10 contact hours). CLE or MCLE refers to mandatory continuing legal education for lawyers and is governed by state or professional bars in some jurisdictions.

Why do professionals need CPD?
Regulators, employers and professional bodies use CPD to ensure practitioners remain competent, keep pace with changing standards and demonstrate fitness to practise. Many regulated professions mandate CPD for licence renewal.

What is a CPD hour?
A CPD hour is commonly defined as one hour of active learning (seat time), such as a lecture, webinar or assessed activity. Some accreditors include Q&A or assessment time; networking and breaks are generally excluded.

How do CEUs differ from CPD hours?
CEUs are typically larger units (for example, 1 CEU = 10 contact hours under some schemes). Other systems may equate one credit with one hour or use points with conversion rules. Always check the accreditor or regulator for precise definitions.

Do self-study and reading count as CPD hours?
Many bodies accept assessed self-study (reading plus an assessment) as CPD. Purely passive, unassessed reading is sometimes limited. Acceptability depends on the accreditor or regulator and usually requires documented evidence.

How should providers present hours on certificates?
Show a total CPD hours or CEU value, explain the basis of calculation (for example, “1 CPD hour = 60 minutes of active learning”), and include a unique certificate ID and verification link or QR code where possible.

Do you round up or down when reporting hours?
Rules vary by accreditor. Some permit rounding to the nearest half hour or full hour; others require exact seat-time accounting. Be transparent about your method and follow your accreditor’s guidance.

Are CPD requirements the same in every country?
No. CPD rules differ across jurisdictions and professions. Many regulators set sector-specific requirements (for example, healthcare, law and accountancy). Providers should map content to local regulator competencies where required.

How do CLE (MCLE) rules vary in the United States?
CLE rules are state-specific. Reporting periods, required hours and how credits are calculated differ. Some states count 50 minutes as a credit hour; others use 60 minutes. Verify MCLE rules with the relevant State Bar.

How can providers support regulated professions?
Align learning objectives to regulator competencies, document measurable outcomes, provide attendance verification and a CPD-hours breakdown, and offer verification pages so employers or regulators can confirm status quickly.

What does provider accreditation mean?
Provider accreditation recognises an organisation or individual trainer as meeting an accreditor’s standards for curriculum design, assessment, instructor competence and quality assurance. Accredited providers may issue accredited certificates and appear in public directories.

What is the difference between course-level and provider accreditation?
Course accreditation reviews a specific programme; provider accreditation evaluates the organisation’s overall processes and authorises them to submit multiple programmes for streamlined approval or to issue accredited activities under agreed conditions.

Why choose The CPD Board™?
The CPD Board™ delivers market-focused accreditation with expert review, verifiable certification and fast, affordable processing through tech-enabled workflows. Typical turnaround from a complete submission is under one week and, in most cases, about three working days. The CPD Board™ issues unique provider IDs and public verification pages to increase buyer trust.

What evidence do accreditors usually review?
Common evidence includes module plans, SMART learning objectives, assessment items, instructor CVs, sample materials, accessibility statements and participant feedback, plus any industry-specific compliance documentation.

What is a verifiable digital badge?
A digital badge is an image containing metadata that links to an online verification page showing badge owner, course, date and issuing body. Verified badges reduce fraud and increase employer and recruiter trust.

Why include a verification URL or QR code on certificates?
A verification link or QR code allows employers and regulators to instantly confirm authenticity, expiry and scope, important when third parties require proof. It also deters fraud and simplifies validation.

How long should learners keep CPD records?
Keep records for several years, commonly three to seven years depending on sector and local regulation. Providers should also retain audit trails and accreditation evidence for at least five years where required.

What happens during a CPD audit?
An audit typically requests evidence such as attendance lists, assessment results, certificates and course materials. Providers should be prepared to submit records and demonstrate learning outcomes if selected for audit.

How do organisations prove learning outcomes?
Use pre/post assessments, practical assignments, scoring rubrics, supervisor endorsements or workplace performance evidence. Measurable outcomes strengthen CPD claims and help with regulator acceptance.

What makes high-quality CPD (design principles)?
High-quality CPD includes clear SMART learning objectives, alignment between objectives, activities and assessments, practical relevance to job tasks, varied learning modes, accessibility and a robust feedback loop for continuous improvement.

Can microlearning count as CPD?
Yes, when aggregated and evidenced (for example, micro-modules plus assessments that total defined learning hours). Many accreditors accept modular CPD if learning outcomes and assessment integrity are clear.

How long does accreditation typically take?
Timing varies by accreditor and the completeness of the submission. The CPD Board™ targets fast decisions, usually under one week and commonly within three working days from a complete submission.

What costs should I expect?
Fees vary by accreditor and by category (individual trainer, business, not-for-profit, per-programme). The CPD Board™ positions itself as competitively priced, see our pricing page for current fees.

Can I claim accreditation while my application is under review?
No. Public claims of accreditation should wait until formal approval and payment are complete. In limited cases a conditional “Under Review” notice may be permitted with defined usage rules; full accreditation must be awaited before claiming accredited status.

What happens if I change content after accreditation?
Notify the accreditor via the portal. Significant changes (such as altered learning outcomes, assessment methods or lead trainers) may require re-review or an update to the accreditation scope to ensure continued compliance.

Are spot-checks common?
Yes. Many accreditors run random spot-checks or require annual self-audits to ensure ongoing compliance. Providers should retain evidence and be ready to submit requested materials.

What data should I collect for learners and how do I protect it?
Collect only what you need (name, email, evidence of completion). Comply with GDPR or local privacy laws: establish a lawful basis, publish a clear privacy notice, use secure storage and provide subject-access procedures.

How should accessibility be documented?
Provide an accessibility statement, examples of alternative formats (captions, transcripts, large print) and evidence of WCAG 2.1 AA or equivalent compliance for digital materials. Accessibility is a standard accreditation criterion.

How do accreditors guard against misleading claims in course content (greenwashing)?
Accreditors require evidence-based content and substantiation for outcome claims. Avoid vague language; provide reliable sources and, for novel claims, include third-party review or methodology documentation. The CPD Board™ enforces strict marketing and evidence rules in its Accredited Party Code of Conduct.

Will accreditation increase course uptake?
Accreditation is a recognised trust signal that can increase conversions and corporate interest, especially in regulated sectors, when used actively in marketing, proposals and directory listings.

Can employers rely on accredited CPD for licence renewal?
Some regulators accept courses from recognised accreditors; acceptance depends on the regulator. Providers should map CPD content to required competencies and supply verifiable evidence for employers.

How do learners prove CPD to employers or regulators?
Provide a certificate showing provider name, course title, CPD hours, issue date, unique certificate ID and a verification link or QR code.

How do I pick the right accreditor?
Choose an accreditor with clear standards, public verification, prompt turnaround times, transparent fees, expert assessors, helpful submission support and market recognition, especially in your target sector or jurisdiction.

Are digital badges valuable?
Yes. Digital badges that verify to an online record increase shareability and employer recognition. Use badges that link to verification pages listing learning outcomes and issuer details.

How long should providers keep accreditation records?
Providers should retain accreditation files, audit trails and evidence for at least five years or as required by relevant regulator rules. Learner records may need longer retention depending on sector rules.

What should appear on a provider accreditation certificate?
Typical fields: accredited organisation name, certificate title (for example, “Certificate of Accreditation”), scope of accreditation, provider ID, issue and expiry dates, authorised signature and a verification URL or QR code linking to a public provider profile.

How long do accreditations typically last?
Common terms range from one to three years. The accreditation certificate will show the exact validity period and renewal requirements; annual self-audit or mid-cycle reporting may be required.

What is the difference between CPD points and CPD hours?
Some schemes use “points” rather than direct hours; points may convert to hours using the accreditor’s conversion rules. Always state which system you use on certificates and in provider materials.

How should providers present evidence of accessibility on submission?
Include an accessibility statement, one example of an accessible resource (captions, transcript, accessible slide PDF), and notes on platform WCAG compliance or venue accessibility for in-person training.

Where can I get more help?
Start an application on our site or email mail@cpdboard.com. All support and clarification is handled online through the portal for speed and clarity.