Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is more than a buzzword—it’s a career-long commitment to growth. Whether you’re a teacher, nurse, accountant, project manager, lawyer, engineer, or digital professional, CPD ensures your skills stay sharp, your qualifications stay valid, and your career stays future-ready.
At CPDCourses.com, we deliver accredited CPD training online, recognised worldwide and fully backed by the CPD Standards Office. That means every certificate you earn here counts towards your professional requirements, boosts your CV, and demonstrates credibility to employers and regulators.
This guide covers everything you need to know about CPD:
By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to managing your CPD requirements and maximising your professional potential.
Explore our complete range of CPD resources
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is the structured process of maintaining and improving knowledge, skills, and behaviours throughout your career. Unlike one-time qualifications, CPD is about lifelong learning—adapting to industry changes, staying compliant, and continuously improving your performance.
CPD is the ongoing process of planned learning that helps professionals keep their skills current, meet industry standards, and advance their careers.
Examples of CPD activities include:
Every profession — from healthcare and teaching to finance, engineering, and law — relies on CPD to ensure practitioners remain competent, compliant, and confident. For many regulated industries, CPD is not optional. It’s mandatory for licence renewal or membership of governing bodies.
Investing in CPD is a win-win: employees gain skills and recognition, while employers benefit from higher standards and loyalty.
Most professional bodies measure CPD in hours or points. A common conversion is:
1 hour of active learning = 1 CPD point.
| Profession / Body | Typical Expectation* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACCA / ICAEW (Accounting) | 20–40 hrs/year | Must include ethics & technical updates |
| NMC (Nursing) | 35 hrs every 3 yrs | With written reflections |
| CIPD (HR) | Ongoing (portfolio evidence) | Hours flexible |
| RICS (Surveyors) | 20–30 hrs/year | Structured CPD preferred |
| GPhC (Pharmacy) | Reflective entries | Peer discussion required |
| Teachers (UK) | Employer-led | Safeguarding compulsory |
*Always check your professional body for specific requirements.
At CPDCourses.com, every course clearly states its CPD hours and points, so you know exactly what credit you’re earning.
CPD accreditation refers to the formal recognition granted when a learning activity, course, or training programme has been independently evaluated and approved by a recognised authority. The goal of CPD accreditation is to assure learners and employers that the activity meets established benchmarks for quality, learning value, and professional relevance.
When a course is accredited for Continuing Professional Development, it means an expert body has reviewed every aspect of the training — from the content and structure to the delivery and assessment methods. Accreditation confirms that learners will gain measurable skills and knowledge that contribute to their professional competence.
An accredited CPD activity must demonstrate:
Choosing an accredited CPD course ensures that your study time is counted, measurable, and recognised by professional bodies and employers. Accredited CPD provides peace of mind — confirming that the hours you invest contribute directly toward your CPD requirements, CPD credits, or CPD points. It also supports your ability to maintain membership with regulatory bodies that expect evidence of continuing professional development every year.
At CPDCourses.com, every training programme and short course is accredited by the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO) — one of the world’s leading authorities in CPD accreditation and quality assurance. This partnership acts as our official trust mark, verifying that every learner receives training that meets the highest international standards of continuing professional development.
The CPD Standards Office sets strict evaluation criteria covering course design, learning outcomes, delivery quality, tutor expertise, and learner engagement. Each programme we offer is thoroughly assessed against these benchmarks before earning the CPDSO seal of approval.
This accreditation ensures that:
By studying with an accredited provider such as CPDCourses.com, you’re assured that every completed course strengthens your professional profile, supports your regulatory compliance, and enhances your employability.
CPD accreditation is more than a label — it’s your guarantee of quality, accountability, and professional recognition. Whether you are accumulating CPD points, maintaining CPD records, or working towards career progression, choosing an accredited provider ensures that your development is verifiable, respected, and aligned with international standards.
Read more: CPD Standards Office Accreditation
Online learning has completely transformed the way professionals approach Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Instead of attending fixed classroom sessions, you can now study at your own pace, wherever you are in the world. At CPDCourses.com, our accredited CPD online training gives you the freedom, affordability, and recognition that today’s professionals expect.
Why Choose Online CPD?
Our online CPD courses are designed for busy individuals balancing work, study, and life. Every programme is flexible, self-paced, and accessible 24/7 from any device. Whether you prefer to study on a laptop during your lunch break, review materials on your tablet at home, or complete a quick quiz on your phone, your progress is always saved and trackable.
When you study CPD online with us, you can:
Key Benefits at a Glance
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Learn anytime, on any device | Enjoy total flexibility and progress tracking across all devices. |
| Accredited CPD certificates | Earn trusted certificates recognised by employers and professional bodies worldwide. |
| Unlimited quiz attempts | Practise as often as you need to achieve mastery and full confidence. |
| Easy, step-by-step lessons | Bite-sized units make learning clear, motivating, and practical for real-world application. |
Our learners appreciate how online CPD eliminates the barriers of time and location. Instead of waiting for scheduled workshops, you can enrol instantly, start learning today, and earn valuable CPD hours or points from the comfort of your home or office.
Recording your Continuing Professional Development activities correctly is essential for compliance, reflection, and long-term career planning. Many professional bodies in the UK and abroad — including accounting institutes, health councils, and educational associations — require members to maintain accurate CPD records each year.
Here’s a simple five-step process recommended by CPDCourses.com:
To make this process easier, we provide a free downloadable CPD Log Template and Reflection Prompts — helping you record, evaluate, and present your professional development activities in a structured way.
Every sector has unique learning needs. Our online CPD courses are carefully grouped by profession, ensuring that you can find training directly relevant to your role and career goals. Explore your dedicated learning hub:
Whichever profession you belong to, you’ll find online CPD courses designed to help you earn verifiable CPD credits, achieve your annual compliance targets, and develop real-world skills for the future.
Browse All CPD by Profession Courses
Professionals across every industry must stay current with new skills and standards. CPD — Continuing Professional Development — provides the structure to achieve this. Below are the most common questions about CPD accreditation, CPD points, CPD certificates, and how to complete recognised CPD online courses.
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development — the structured and ongoing process of learning that enables professionals to maintain competence, meet compliance standards, and progress in their careers.
CPD is a lifelong learning commitment involving accredited courses, self-study, and reflection. It ensures that individuals stay knowledgeable, confident, and compliant in their roles. Completing CPD-accredited training demonstrates your dedication to continuous improvement and professional excellence.
Valid CPD activities include accredited CPD courses, workshops, webinars, conferences, mentoring, reading, research, podcasts, and reflective logs — as long as they are relevant, structured, and recorded as CPD hours or CPD points.
Most professionals complete 20–40 CPD hours per year (1 hour = 1 point).
Examples:
Always check your professional body’s specific CPD requirements.
CPD points measure the amount of learning achieved — usually 1 point per learning hour. Short online CPD courses might offer 5–10 points, while extended diplomas can award 100+. Recording points helps you evidence your Continuing Professional Development accurately.
CPD accreditation is independent quality assurance confirming that a course or provider meets recognised professional standards. It ensures training is relevant, measurable, and structured.
All CPDCourses.com programmes are fully accredited by the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO) — a global benchmark for quality Continuing Professional Development. This guarantees your CPD hours and certificates are respected worldwide.
A CPD certificate proves successful completion of an accredited course. It displays the course title, total CPD hours or points, and accrediting body details. Certificates from CPDCourses.com provide valid evidence for professional portfolios, CVs, and employer compliance checks.
Yes — provided they come from accredited providers.
Certificates issued by CPDCourses.com, accredited by the CPD Standards Office, are widely accepted by employers, regulators, and membership organisations. Accredited certification strengthens your professional credibility.
Absolutely. Online CPD is flexible, affordable, and fully recognised.
At CPDCourses.com, you can study CPD online anytime, anywhere, on any device. Learn at your own pace, earn verifiable CPD points, and download instant e-certificates, with optional hard copies delivered to your door.
Keep a CPD portfolio that includes:
Follow the cycle: Plan → Do → Reflect → Evidence → Review.
Download our free CPD Log Template and Reflection Prompts to make tracking simple.
Professional bodies generally accept three categories:
For best results, aim for at least 50% structured CPD through accredited training.
Yes. Accredited CPD courses enhance your CV, demonstrate initiative, and fill skill gaps. Many professionals use CPD accreditation to achieve promotions, leadership roles, or transition into new careers such as management, digital marketing, or AI-related fields.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPD Accreditation | Independent validation that a course meets quality and relevance standards. |
| CPD Certificate | Proof of completed, accredited training. |
| CPD Points/Hours | Units of learning, typically 1 point per hour. |
| Structured CPD | Formal, accredited courses or workshops. |
| Reflective CPD | Webinars, podcasts, or lectures involving self-reflection. |
| Informal CPD | Independent or on-the-job study. |
| CPD Portfolio | Log of completed CPD activities and evidence. |
| Revalidation | Renewal of professional registration using CPD evidence. |
Choose accredited learning you can trust. At CPDCourses.com:
Start earning CPD hours and points at your own pace.
Take control of your professional growth and career success today.
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