FAQs
How should I allocate my CPD time?
The majority of institutions and professional bodies will allow members to choose subjects of relevance to them, whilst a minority will require their members to seek CPD training on a particular range of core subjects. All professionals must understand how CPD should be recorded and how much learning time is required for their role each year. As a general rule, we advise that at least 50% of CPD be completed in a structured CPD / active learning environment.
How do I log and record CPD activities?
CPD is something that most people will do on an ongoing basis as part of their career. To reflect and keep track of learning, it is important to maintain a regular and up to date record of any completed learning and development activities, as well as future goals or professional achievements in the work environment. A CPD log and record of learning activities undertaken can be kept using an online purpose-built CPD recording tool, such as the myCPD Portal.
FAQ Question
FAQ Answer
What is accredited CPD training?
External validation demonstrates to attendees the steps taken to deliver the highest possible training standards. The CPD Certification Service provides independent CPD accreditation compatible with international requirements. Our CPD symbols are recognised in over 100+ countries and offer professional bodies, institutional associations, educational providers and consumers reassurance that further learning achieves the qualitative standards required by all parties.
What are the benefits of CPD?
CPD is an essential, recognised approach to helping individuals, organisations and entire industries to keep skills and knowledge up to date. CPD supports raising international standards and benchmarks in line with increasing globalisation and consumer demand. For individuals, it enables learning to become conscious and proactive, rather than passive and encourages professionals to maintain consistent levels of high performance and demonstrate commitment towards a particular job role or profession.
Get recognised as an industry expert
The CPD Certification Service supports the Continuing Professional Development policies of institutional and professional organisations. Training courses, workshops and seminars are assessed and accredited against the universally accepted structur...
Raise the standards of your training
The CPD Certification Service helps organisations sell more training and increase delegate bookings for workshops by structuring knowledge into a recognised approach to learning for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development. This means y...
Attract more of your target audience
There is an increasing expectation for professionals to undertake Continuing Professional Development training courses and workshops regardless of industry sector, career level, job role and responsibilities. Continuing Professional Development ex...
Start your invites early
Get your conference invites sent and the date of the event in people’s calendars as soon as you can so they can set aside the day and time. One of the key ways to increase conference attendance is to start as early as possible and ensure you follo...
Find the right location
Choose an event location that is convenient, memorable and suits your budget. Venues that are too far away or too expensive for attendees will not help you increase conference attendance. Find an event location that is convenient but also suits th...
Create an inspiring agenda
The conference agenda should be focused on a core theme to help marketing the event and not to confuse the purpose of attendance for delegates. The conference agenda should have topical variety to drive event interest.
To really improve your...
Free CPD accreditation - is anything in life free?
We do not want organisations not be fooled by marketing spin that claims to provide free accreditation. There is a view that there is no such thing as free CPD accreditation and you should be dubious of such free offers. There is a common saying;...
Is it just marketing tactics? - "Get CPD accredited for FREE"
There has been a minor surge of new companies using marketing terminology such as “FREE CPD Accreditation” and “Get CPD Accredited for FREE”. In many instances where there is advertising of ‘free accreditation’ you will find later hidden fees when...
Free accreditation - is there risk to your business?
Has free CPD accreditation obtained recognised validation? How can you get CPD accredited for free if training courses and events need to be assessed to the highest standards of learning? Who is paying for the quality assessments and further suppo...
Why become an accredited CPD provider?
Organisations become a CPD provider in order to meet more of the right target audience, distinguish from market competitors, increase delegate bookings for courses and events as well as create and maximise new business opportunities.
What activities can become CPD accredited?
The CPD Service work with providers from all industries, ranging from consultancy firms to training providers, large employers, conference & event organisers, universities, further education colleges, local authority and Government departments...
How much does CPD accreditation cost?
Organisations wishing to embrace CPD can display their commitment through membership of The CPD Certification Service. The CPD Service provides a range of cost effective CPD fees and subscriptions to suit your budget. Membership levels are determi...
Increase bookings for your accredited training
One of the main reasons organisations look to obtain CPD training accreditation is to increase delegate bookings. With over 450 professionals bodies in the UK requiring CPD from their members, accredited CPD providers are able to meet more of the...
Marketing support for our accredited CPD providers
The CPD Service provides different membership levels to suit your training accreditation needs and budget. Membership levels are determined by an initial FREE consultation resulting in recommendations for your most effec...
Stand out more from your competitors
Training accreditation allows you to present your knowledge as an industry experts and distinguish from your competitors. Becoming an accredited CPD provider helps organisations to create discernible competitive advantage from others in your marke...
How are training and events assessed?
The accreditation process takes an impartial and objective overview of the structure and value of training materials to ensure full conformity to international CPD industry benchmarks and guidelines. CPD is reviewed and assessed against the universally accepted and structured checklist which The CPD Certification Service has developed over the past 25+ years.
What is accredited CPD training?
External validation demonstrates to attendees the steps taken to deliver the highest possible training standards. The CPD Certification Service provides independent CPD accreditation compatible with international requirements. Our CPD symbols are recognised in over 100+ countries and offer professional bodies, institutional associations, educational providers and consumers reassurance that further learning achieves the qualitative standards required by all parties.
What is the process of gaining CPD certification?
CPD certification is a straightforward process and follows an intentionally practical method that has been continuously developed over the past few decades. Certification is focused on providing the highest standards of Continuing Professional Development learning for delegates and attendees. Each CPD training course or event is benchmarked against a proven assessment criteria to ensure the required standards are met across a number of key areas.
How does the Delegate Certificate Service (DCS) work?
The Delegate Certificate Service (DCS) is a membership feature available to all CPD providers at no additional cost designed to save time and cost when administering post-training attendance certificates. The CPD Certification Service provides certificates of attendance for organisations ranging from small consultancy firms to large training providers, multi-national corporations, conference & event organisers, universities, further education colleges, local authorities, councils and Government departments.
What are CPD points, hours and credits?
The majority of institutions and professional bodies provide Continuing Professional Development targets generally set on an annual basis. These targets are defined by the accrual of CPD activities through attendance in training courses, eLearning and events, as well as other forms of structured learning. Most professional bodies use CPD hours as their measure, and where CPD points or credits are used, these are typically a 1:1 ratio with CPD hours. By this, 1 CPD point would be equal to 1 CPD hour.
Who is CPD for?
CPD is carried out by millions of individuals across a whole range of industries and professions. Most professional bodies and institutes will provide individuals with Continuing Professional Development requirements, generally as a set number of CPD training hours to achieve each year. Over recent decades, we have seen the commitment to CPD reach far beyond the traditional industries and institutional bodies of the UK to what is now recognised and embraced across the world.
What are the different types of CPD?
The type of Continuing Professional Development varies depending on a range of different learning methods. CPD can be broadly defined within three areas: Structured CPD / Active Learning, Reflective CPD / Passive Learning and Informal CPD / Self-Directed Learning. The most recognised and popular forms of CPD combine different methodologies to learning, which include training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, educational events, webinars and online eLearning programs.
What is the CPD Cycle?
The CPD Cycle is a practical tool that helps individuals to structure their Continuing Professional Development learning easily throughout the year, and to identify regular and measurable improvements in work-related skills and knowledge. There are five key stages of the CPD Cycle that are important when planning professional development activities for the year. These include Stage 1 - Identifying Your Needs, Stage 2 – Planning, Stage 3 - Acting/Doing, Stage 4 - Reflecting on Learning, Stage 5 - Implement your New Learning.
What is myCPD Portal?
myCPD Portal is a free online record tool that allows individuals and organisations to log, track and manage their Continuing Professional Development in one simple place. Users can set annual CPD targets, review training records, store attendance certificates and monitor learning progress. This makes it easier to reflect on knowledge and skills that have been obtained throughout the year.