Accreditation is only valuable if it means something. When a professional sees the accredited CPD mark on a course, they should be able to trust that the learning has been independently checked and that the hours claimed are real. That is why every application we receive is assessed against the same six questions.
1. Are the learning outcomes clear?
Strong applications state what a learner will be able to do by the end, not just what will be covered. "Understand GDPR" is a topic; "apply the six lawful bases for processing to common HR scenarios" is an outcome an assessor can test against the content.
2. Does the content match the audience?
We check that material is accurate, current and pitched at the right level. A course for senior clinicians and one for new care workers can share a subject, but they should not share the same depth.
3. Do the timings support the hours claimed?
CPD hours reflect active learning only. A full-day event with long breaks and networking may carry fewer CPD hours than its running time suggests, and a session plan with realistic timings makes this easy to confirm.
Tip for providers: submit a session plan with timings for every segment. It is the single document that most often speeds up an assessment.
4. Who is delivering it?
Presenter biographies help assessors confirm subject expertise. For eLearning, we look at who authored and reviewed the content.
5. Can learners apply what they learn?
Case studies, exercises, discussion and short knowledge checks turn passive listening into professional development. We look for at least one opportunity for learners to practise or reflect.
6. Is feedback collected and used?
Finally, we ask how the provider evaluates the activity and improves it over time. A simple feedback form, reviewed regularly, is enough.
Ready to apply? Our Quality Standards page sets out the full criteria, and our advisers are happy to review a draft before you submit.