CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It’s a widely recognised term used across industries such as healthcare, teaching, accounting, engineering, and business management. The phrase reflects a professional’s responsibility to stay up to date with changes in their field through continuous learning.
Unlike traditional education, which usually ends when you graduate, CPD continues throughout your working life. It ensures your skills evolve in line with new technologies, regulations, and industry best practices.
Employers, regulators, and professional bodies often require staff to complete CPD hours each year. For example, nurses registered with the NMC must log CPD hours to maintain their licence, while accountants with ACCA or ICAEW memberships must demonstrate ongoing training.
CPD is essential because industries never stand still. Laws change, new digital tools emerge, and best practices evolve. Without CPD, professionals risk falling behind.
For individuals, CPD:
For organisations, CPD:
Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, career change, or professional recognition, CPD provides the evidence that you’re continually improving.
One of the most common questions is, “What actually counts as CPD?” The answer is: far more than you might expect.
Examples of valid CPD activities include:
The key is that the activity contributes to your professional development and can be logged in a CPD portfolio.
CPD is usually measured in hours or points. The standard calculation is:
Different professional bodies set different requirements:
When you complete a CPD-accredited course, you’ll receive a certificate stating the number of hours/points earned. This can then be logged in your portfolio and submitted to employers or regulatory bodies as evidence.
CPD accreditation means that a course, workshop, or training programme has been independently reviewed and approved by a recognised body. At CPDCourses.com, all of our programmes are fully accredited by the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO).
This accreditation ensures:
Without CPD accreditation, there’s a risk your certificate won’t be accepted by your employer or professional body. Accreditation guarantees your time and investment in training count towards your professional record.
Certificates accredited by the CPD Standards Office are widely recognised across industries. They are accepted by:
Employers also view CPD certificates as evidence of commitment, making them valuable for career progression, promotions, and job applications.
Recording CPD is simple but vital. Most professionals use a CPD portfolio or log, which should include:
For example, if you complete a 10-hour CPD accredited online course in leadership, you would log the title, provider, hours, and reflect on how the new knowledge will help you in your career. Many professional bodies provide templates for CPD records, and employers may request evidence during appraisals.
A CPD certification is the formal recognition you receive after completing an accredited course or training programme. Certificates show:
This certification can be added to your CV, LinkedIn profile, or professional portfolio. It demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and helps meet compliance requirements.
At CPDCourses.com, all certificates are CPD Standards Office accredited, meaning they are trusted by employers and professional bodies internationally.
Yes — and in fact, online CPD training is now the most popular choice. It offers:
Online CPD is especially useful for busy professionals who need to balance learning with work and personal commitments. At CPDCourses.com, our accredited courses allow unlimited access, so you can complete modules at your own pace.
For professionals:
For employers:
For example, a teacher completing safeguarding CPD can improve student welfare outcomes, while an accountant completing AI in Accounting CPD can deliver more efficient services.
Explore free articles in our CPD blog
In many professions, yes. Regulators often require annual CPD hours as a condition of ongoing registration. Examples include:
Even in industries where CPD is not compulsory, it is highly recommended. Employers increasingly expect staff to demonstrate ongoing learning, making CPD a valuable career advantage.
Dive deeper with our What is CPD? explainer
Starting CPD is simple:
At CPDCourses.com, you can browse 40+ categories of accredited courses, from healthcare and teaching to business, law, and digital skills.
What is the future of CPD?
The future of CPD is digital and AI-driven. Professionals are now turning to:
CPD is shifting from a tick-box exercise to a personalised learning journey. The rise of AI CPD courses means professionals can target exactly the skills they need for tomorrow’s workplace.
This page has answered the most common questions professionals ask about CPD, from what counts as CPD to how to log hours and what accreditation means.
At CPDCourses.com, every programme we offer is fully accredited by the CPD Standards Office, giving you peace of mind that your learning is credible and recognised worldwide. Whether you’re looking for short online CPD training or full CPD diplomas, we provide flexible, affordable courses across healthcare, business, teaching, law, and more.
Start your CPD journey today. Explore our Accredited CPD Courses and build a portfolio that employers and professional bodies trust.
