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Is CPD a Qualification?

Understanding CPD Certificates vs Qualifications

Clear Explanation: The Difference Between CPD and Regulated Qualifications

Jump to: The Answer • The Difference • For Providers • For Learners • Scenarios • FAQs

Is CPD a Qualification? The Clear Answer

No, CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is not a qualification.

CPD certificates document professional learning and development activities. They confirm you completed training and earned CPD hours towards your continuing professional development. Regulated qualifications (like degrees, diplomas, NVQs) are formal credentials requiring structured assessment and awarded by approved awarding organisations.

This distinction is crucial for:

Training Providers

How to market CPD courses compliantly

Learners

Understanding what you're purchasing

Employers

Recognising what credentials mean

Professional Bodies

CPD vs qualification requirements

Understanding the Fundamental Difference

What CPD Is:

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is:

  • Ongoing learning and skills enhancement throughout your career
  • Professional growth activities beyond initial training or qualification
  • A commitment to maintaining and developing professional competence
  • Evidenced through CPD hours or points earned from various learning activities
  • Flexible learning that can be self-directed, employer-led, or provided by training organisations

CPD certificates document:

  • • That you completed specific training or learning activity
  • • The time spent learning (CPD hours)
  • • The knowledge or skills covered in the training
  • • Your commitment to professional development

CPD does NOT provide:

  • A regulated qualification (like a degree, diploma, NVQ, or GCSE)
  • A license to practice in a regulated profession
  • Academic credit that counts towards a formal qualification
  • Government-regulated certification overseen by bodies like Ofqual
  • Guaranteed employment rights or automatic entry into a profession

What Regulated Qualifications Are:

Regulated qualifications are formal credentials such as:

  • GCSEs, A-Levels, and BTECs
  • NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)
  • Degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, PhDs)
  • Diplomas and Certificates from recognised awarding organisations
  • Professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA, CIPD, ACA)
  • Apprenticeship qualifications

Regulated qualifications provide:

  • • Formal recognition of competence in a specific area
  • • Standardised assessment and quality assurance
  • • Government oversight through regulatory bodies (Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales, CCEA)
  • • Credit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) with assigned levels (Entry Level to Level 8)
  • • Entry into professions or eligibility for certain roles
  • • Progression pathways to further education or higher qualifications

Regulated qualifications require:

  • • Structured curriculum and assessment against defined criteria
  • • Formal examinations, assignments, or practical assessments
  • • Approval from an awarding organisation recognised by Ofqual or equivalent
  • • External verification and quality assurance
  • • Compliance with national standards and regulations

The Relationship: CPD and Qualifications

1 Qualifications Come First

Qualifications establish your baseline competence. They're the formal credentials that qualify you to enter a profession or field. For example, a degree in accounting, a teaching qualification, or a nursing diploma.

These qualifications demonstrate you've met rigorous standards, passed assessments, and possess foundational knowledge and skills.

2 CPD Maintains and Develops

CPD keeps your knowledge current and expands your capabilities throughout your career. After gaining your qualification, CPD ensures you:

  • Stay updated with new developments in your field
  • Learn new skills beyond your original qualification
  • Maintain professional registration (where required)
  • Demonstrate ongoing commitment to excellence
  • Expand into new areas or specialisms

3 Both Are Valuable

CPD complements qualifications; it doesn't replace them. Together they demonstrate:

  • Your qualification: You have the formal training and credentials to practice
  • Your CPD: You actively maintain and enhance those skills

Example:

A teacher has a PGCE qualification (regulated qualification allowing them to teach). Throughout their career, they complete CPD courses on new teaching methods, behaviour management, and subject-specific updates. The PGCE qualifies them; the CPD keeps them excellent.

For Training Providers: Marketing CPD Compliantly

Critical Compliance Requirement

You MUST NOT market CPD courses as qualifications. Doing so violates advertising standards, misleads consumers, and can result in enforcement action by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Trading Standards.

What You CAN Say About CPD Courses:

  • "CPD certified course"
  • "CPD accredited training"
  • "Earn X CPD hours"
  • "CPD certificate upon completion"
  • "Professional development course"
  • "Continuing professional development"
  • "Enhance your skills"
  • "Update your knowledge"
  • "Training course"
  • "Professional learning opportunity"
  • "CPD points awarded"
  • "Recognised CPD activity"

What You CANNOT Say About CPD Courses:

  • "Qualification"
  • "Accredited qualification"
  • "Nationally recognised qualification"
  • "Ofqual regulated" (unless it is)
  • "RQF Level X" (unless it is)
  • "Certified qualification"
  • "Diploma" (unless it's regulated)
  • "Degree" or "certificate" (implying qualification)
  • "Get qualified in..."
  • "Professional qualification"
  • "Licensed" or "license to practice"
  • "Become a certified [profession]"

Borderline Terms - Use with Caution:

These terms can be misleading depending on context. If you use them, ensure your full marketing material makes it absolutely clear you're offering CPD, not a qualification:

⚠️ "Certificate"

Can imply qualification. Always specify "CPD certificate"

⚠️ "Accredited"

Always specify "CPD accredited" and state the accrediting body

⚠️ "Certified"

Can suggest formal qualification. Use "CPD certified" instead

Compliant vs Non-Compliant Marketing: Examples

1 Mental Health First Aid Training

NON-COMPLIANT

"Become a qualified Mental Health First Aider with our accredited qualification. This nationally recognised course will certify you to provide mental health support in the workplace."

Why this is wrong:

  • • Uses "qualified" and "qualification"
  • • Claims "nationally recognised"
  • • Suggests formal certification
  • • Doesn't mention CPD

COMPLIANT

"Develop essential mental health first aid skills with our CPD certified training course. Earn 6 CPD hours and receive a CPD certificate recognised for continuing professional development."

Why this works:

  • • Clearly states "CPD certified"
  • • Specifies CPD hours awarded
  • • Uses "CPD certificate" not "qualification"
  • • Accurate scope of what's awarded

2 Project Management Course

NON-COMPLIANT

"Gain a Project Management Diploma with our Level 4 certified course. This professional qualification will qualify you for project management roles."

Why this is wrong:

  • • Uses "diploma" (qualification term)
  • • References "Level 4" (RQF framework)
  • • Claims it's a "professional qualification"
  • • Says it will "qualify you" for roles

COMPLIANT

"Enhance your project management skills with our CPD accredited training course. Develop practical PM techniques and earn 12 CPD points towards your professional development."

Why this works:

  • • Focus on skills development
  • • States "CPD accredited"
  • • CPD points clearly mentioned
  • • No qualification terminology

3 Safeguarding Training

NON-COMPLIANT

"Get your Safeguarding Certificate - a recognised qualification essential for working with children. Become certified today!"

Why this is wrong:

  • • "Certificate" used without "CPD"
  • • Claims it's a "recognised qualification"
  • • Implies certification status
  • • Suggests essential for employment

COMPLIANT

"Update your safeguarding knowledge with our CPD certified training. Receive a CPD certificate documenting 3 CPD hours for your professional development records."

Why this works:

  • • "CPD certificate" clearly stated
  • • CPD hours specified
  • • Accurate scope (knowledge update)
  • • No false employment promises

Key Principles for Compliant Marketing:

  • 1 Be transparent: Always make it clear you're offering CPD, not a regulated qualification
  • 2 Use CPD terminology: Include "CPD" before words like "certificate," "accredited," or "certified"
  • 3 State CPD hours/points: Quantify the CPD value of your course
  • 4 Avoid qualification language: Never use terms associated with regulated qualifications unless yours is one
  • 5 Don't promise outcomes you can't deliver: Don't suggest your CPD will qualify someone for a role or license if it won't
  • 6 If in doubt, seek advice: Consult the ASA or Trading Standards if you're unsure about your marketing claims

ASA Compliance: Advertising Standards

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) enforces advertising rules in the UK. Training providers who market CPD courses as qualifications risk:

  • Advertising ban: Your ads being banned and removed
  • Public rulings: ASA publishes details of upheld complaints, damaging your reputation
  • Referral to Trading Standards: Serious or repeated breaches can lead to legal action
  • Financial penalties: Trading Standards can prosecute under consumer protection law
  • Loss of trust: Learners and professional bodies lose confidence in your organisation

How to Ensure ASA Compliance:

  • • Review all marketing materials: Website copy, social media, email campaigns, brochures
  • • Remove qualification terminology: Unless your course is genuinely a regulated qualification
  • • Always specify CPD: Make it clear you're offering CPD, not qualifications
  • • Be honest about outcomes: Don't promise employment, licensing, or professional recognition you can't deliver
  • • Substantiate claims: If you claim CPD accreditation, be able to prove it

For Learners: How to Identify What You're Buying

Before enrolling in a course, ask the right questions to understand exactly what you're getting. This protects you from misleading claims and ensures the training meets your needs.

Questions to Ask Training Providers:

1 Is this a CPD course or a regulated qualification?

This is the most important question. The provider should answer clearly and honestly.

2 If it's CPD, who accredits it?

Ask for the name of the CPD accreditation body and verify their legitimacy independently.

3 If it's a qualification, is it regulated by Ofqual (or SQA, Qualifications Wales, CCEA)?

Regulated qualifications must be on the official register. Ask for the qualification code and check it yourself.

4 What will I receive upon completion?

CPD courses provide CPD certificates documenting CPD hours. Qualifications provide certificates of achievement or diplomas with RQF levels.

5 Will this course qualify me for [specific role/license/professional registration]?

If your goal is a specific outcome (e.g., teaching license, professional body membership), ask explicitly if the course meets those requirements. Don't assume.

6 How many CPD hours/points does this course provide?

If it's CPD, this should be clearly stated. Vague answers are a red flag.

7 Is there an assessment? If so, what type?

Regulated qualifications have formal assessments. CPD courses may have knowledge checks but these aren't externally verified.

How to Verify Claims:

Checking Regulated Qualifications:

Checking CPD Accreditation:

  • • Ask for the name of the CPD accreditation body
  • • Visit that body's website and search their directory of accredited providers/courses
  • • Use The CPD Register to check the reputation of CPD accreditation bodies and training providers
  • • Check if the accreditation is current and valid (not expired)

Checking Professional Body Recognition:

If the course claims recognition by a professional body (e.g., CIPD, BPS, GMC):

  • • Contact the professional body directly to verify the claim
  • • Ask if the course meets their CPD or qualification requirements
  • • Don't rely solely on the provider's word

Red Flags - Warning Signs of Misleading Claims:

🚩 Vague or Confusing Language

Providers deliberately avoid stating whether their course is CPD or a qualification. They use terms like "certified training" or "accredited program" without clarification.

🚩 Claims of "National Recognition"

Without evidence. CPD certificates are not "nationally recognised" in the same way regulated qualifications are. This is misleading.

🚩 No Clear Information

The website doesn't state who accredits the course or whether it's CPD or a qualification. Transparency is essential.

🚩 Promises of Employment

Claims like "guaranteed job placement" or "qualify for [profession]" when the course is only CPD. No CPD course alone qualifies you for a licensed profession.

🚩 Fake or Unverifiable Accreditation

The provider claims accreditation by a body that doesn't exist, or you can't find the body online or verify their legitimacy.

🚩 Pressure Tactics

"Enroll now before prices increase!" or "Limited spaces!" These tactics distract from scrutinising what you're actually buying.

Your Rights as a Learner:

  • Clear information: You have the right to clear, honest information about what you're purchasing
  • Consumer protection: Misleading advertising violates consumer protection law
  • Refunds: If a course was misrepresented (e.g., marketed as a qualification when it's CPD), you may have grounds for a refund
  • Reporting: Report misleading claims to the ASA (asa.org.uk) or Trading Standards

When to Choose CPD vs Pursuing Qualifications

Choose CPD When:

  • You already have the necessary qualification for your profession and want to develop further
  • You need to meet CPD requirements set by your professional body or employer
  • You want to stay current with new developments, regulations, or best practices in your field
  • You're exploring a new area or considering a career change and want to test the waters
  • You need flexible, shorter-term learning that fits around work and personal commitments
  • You want to develop soft skills (leadership, communication, time management)
  • Your goal is personal development rather than formal credentialing

Choose Regulated Qualifications When:

  • You need formal recognition to enter a profession or advance your career
  • A qualification is legally required for your desired role (e.g., teaching, nursing, accounting)
  • You're making a significant career change and need baseline competence in a new field
  • You want to progress to higher education (e.g., university degrees require A-Levels or equivalent)
  • You need external validation of your skills and knowledge through formal assessment
  • Your professional body or employer requires a specific regulated qualification
  • You want credit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for future learning

Both May Be Needed:

In many careers, you'll need both qualifications and ongoing CPD. For example:

  • • Teachers: Need a teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE), plus ongoing CPD to maintain registration and stay current
  • • Accountants: Need professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA, CIMA), plus annual CPD hours to maintain membership
  • • Healthcare professionals: Need professional qualifications and must complete CPD to maintain registration with bodies like the GMC or NMC

The Value of CPD (Even Though It's Not a Qualification)

CPD may not be a qualification, but it's incredibly valuable for your career, professional standing, and personal growth.

1 Professional Value:

  • Maintains professional registration: Many professions require CPD to stay registered (e.g., doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers)
  • Demonstrates commitment: Shows employers and clients you're dedicated to excellence and staying current
  • Keeps knowledge current: Your field evolves; CPD ensures you don't fall behind
  • Meets regulatory requirements: Some industries legally require ongoing training (e.g., financial services, healthcare)

2 Career Value:

  • Enhances employability: Employers value candidates who invest in their development
  • Opens opportunities: New skills can lead to promotions, lateral moves, or career changes
  • Strengthens your CV: Documented CPD shows proactive learning and development
  • Increases confidence: Developing skills makes you more effective and confident in your role

3 Personal Value:

  • Lifelong learning: CPD fosters a growth mindset and intellectual curiosity
  • Job satisfaction: Feeling competent and up-to-date increases job satisfaction
  • Networking opportunities: CPD courses connect you with peers and industry experts
  • Personal fulfillment: Learning new things is rewarding and enriching

CPD Accreditation: Quality Assurance for CPD

CPD accreditation is when an independent CPD accreditation body verifies that a training course meets quality standards for continuing professional development. It's a mark of quality, not a qualification.

What CPD Accreditation Means:

Quality Assured

The course content has been reviewed and meets the accreditation body's standards for CPD.

CPD Hours Validated

The number of CPD hours/points awarded has been verified as appropriate for the course duration and content.

Professional Relevance

The learning objectives and outcomes are relevant to professional development.

Documentation

Learners receive a CPD certificate documenting their learning for records and professional body requirements.

What CPD Accreditation Does NOT Mean:

  • It's NOT a regulated qualification: CPD accreditation doesn't transform CPD into a qualification
  • It's NOT government oversight: CPD accreditation bodies are independent organisations, not government regulators like Ofqual
  • It's NOT automatic recognition: Not all professional bodies accept all CPD accreditation; check with your specific body
  • It's NOT a guarantee of employment: CPD accreditation doesn't qualify you for specific jobs or licenses

How to Verify CPD Accreditation:

  • 1 Ask which body accredits the course (e.g., The CPD Certification Service, IIRSM, etc.)
  • 2 Visit the accreditation body's website and search their directory of accredited courses/providers
  • 3 Check The CPD Register to see reviews and ratings of the CPD accreditation body and training provider
  • 4 Confirm the accreditation is current (not expired or withdrawn)
  • 5 If your professional body has specific requirements, check if they recognise the accreditation

For Employers: Understanding Employee Credentials

As an employer, understanding what CPD and qualifications represent helps you: make informed hiring decisions, support employee development, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

What to Look For in Candidates:

  • Required qualifications: If a role legally requires a specific qualification (e.g., teaching, healthcare), verify the candidate holds a regulated qualification from an approved awarding body
  • Baseline competence: Qualifications demonstrate the candidate met standards to enter the profession
  • Ongoing development: CPD certificates show the candidate invests in staying current and developing new skills
  • Professional commitment: Documented CPD demonstrates dedication to excellence and continuous improvement

How to Verify Credentials:

For Qualifications:

  • • Check the Ofqual Register (or SQA, Qualifications Wales, CCEA) to verify the qualification exists
  • • Request original certificates or transcripts
  • • Contact the awarding organisation to verify authenticity if needed

For CPD:

  • • CPD certificates document training completed, not formal qualifications
  • • Look for CPD accreditation by reputable bodies (verify on their website)
  • • Check The CPD Register for training provider and accreditation body reputation

Supporting Employee Development:

  • Encourage CPD: Support employees in undertaking relevant CPD to keep skills current
  • Fund training: Consider funding CPD courses that benefit both the employee and your organisation
  • Track CPD hours: Help employees document their CPD for professional body requirements
  • Recognise the difference: Understand that CPD complements qualifications; both have value in employee development

Common Scenarios and Clarifications

1 "I completed a CPD course. Can I call myself qualified?"

Answer: No. Completing CPD doesn't qualify you in the sense of a regulated qualification. You've completed professional development, but you can't claim to be "qualified" unless you hold a regulated qualification.

You CAN say: "I completed CPD training in [subject]" or "I earned X CPD hours in [area]."

2 "My professional body requires CPD. Does any training count?"

Answer: It depends on your professional body's requirements. Some accept any relevant learning activity; others require CPD from accredited providers or specific topics.

Action: Check your professional body's CPD policy to understand what's accepted. Look for CPD courses accredited by bodies they recognise.

3 "A course says 'CPD Accredited Qualification.' Is that a qualification?"

Answer: This wording is misleading. "CPD accredited" means it's CPD that has been quality-assured by a CPD accreditation body. It's not a regulated qualification.

Red Flag: Mixing "CPD accredited" and "qualification" in one phrase is a common tactic to confuse learners.

Action: Ask directly: "Is this a CPD course or a regulated qualification?" Verify by checking the Ofqual Register.

4 "I want to become a counsellor. Should I do CPD training or a qualification?"

Answer: To become a practicing counsellor, you'll need a regulated qualification in counselling (e.g., a diploma or degree). CPD alone won't qualify you.

Path: Start with a regulated counselling qualification (check what's recognised by bodies like BACP). Once qualified, use CPD to specialise and stay current.

Note: CPD courses can supplement your learning or help you explore the field before committing to a full qualification, but they don't replace it.

5 "Can CPD courses lead to a qualification?"

Answer: Not directly. CPD courses are standalone learning activities, not building blocks toward a qualification.

However: Some providers offer both CPD and qualifications. You might do CPD courses to explore a field, then separately enroll in a qualification programme.

Important: Don't assume CPD hours automatically "count toward" a qualification. CPD and qualifications are separate frameworks.

Key Regulatory Bodies in the UK

Ofqual (England)

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Regulates qualifications, exams, and assessments in England.

What they do: Maintain the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and ensure qualification standards.

Visit Ofqual Register

SQA (Scotland)

Scottish Qualifications Authority. Scotland's national accreditation and awarding body.

What they do: Award qualifications and accredit courses in Scotland across schools, colleges, and workplaces.

Visit SQA Website

Qualifications Wales

Cymwysterau Cymru. Regulates non-degree qualifications and the awarding bodies that provide them in Wales.

What they do: Ensure qualifications meet the needs of learners and society in Wales.

Visit Qualifications Wales

CCEA (Northern Ireland)

Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. Body responsible for curriculum, examinations, and assessments in Northern Ireland.

What they do: Award qualifications and regulate awarding organisations in Northern Ireland.

Visit CCEA Website

Important: These bodies regulate qualifications only. CPD is not regulated by these organisations. If a course isn't listed with these bodies, it's not a regulated qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put "CPD Qualified" on my CV?

No. "CPD qualified" is misleading because CPD is not a qualification. You can list specific CPD courses you've completed and the CPD hours earned. For example: "Completed Mental Health First Aid CPD training (6 CPD hours)."

Is CPD accreditation the same as Ofqual regulation?

No. CPD accreditation is provided by independent CPD accreditation bodies (not government regulators). Ofqual regulates qualifications, not CPD. They're completely different frameworks.

Do employers recognise CPD certificates?

Many employers value CPD as evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to learning. However, CPD certificates don't replace qualifications if a qualification is required for the role. Employers recognise CPD for what it is: professional development, not formal qualification.

How do I know if I need a qualification or CPD?

If you're entering a new profession or field, you likely need a qualification first. If you're already qualified and working, CPD keeps you current and develops further skills. Check with your professional body or employer for specific requirements.

Can CPD count towards professional body membership?

CPD hours can count towards maintaining professional body membership (many require annual CPD), but CPD alone won't grant initial membership if you don't have the necessary qualification. Check your professional body's specific requirements.

Are online CPD courses as valid as in-person ones?

Yes, if they're accredited by a reputable CPD body. Most professional bodies accept both online and in-person CPD equally. What matters is the quality and relevance of the learning, not the delivery method.

What should I do if a provider won't clarify if their course is CPD or a qualification?

Don't enroll. Reputable providers will answer this question clearly and immediately. Evasiveness is a major red flag. Check the Ofqual Register yourself. If it's not listed, it's not a regulated qualification. If the provider still won't be transparent, report them to the ASA or Trading Standards.

Does completing CPD make me more employable?

Yes, CPD demonstrates to employers that you're proactive about learning, staying current, and developing professionally. While it doesn't replace qualifications, documented CPD can strengthen your CV and show dedication to your field.

How many CPD hours should I do per year?

It depends on your profession and professional body. Some require 20-35 hours annually; others have different structures (e.g., points systems). Check your professional body's CPD policy. If you're not required to do CPD, aim for at least 20-30 hours per year to stay current.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

About CPD:

  • CPD is NOT a qualification - it's continuing professional development
  • CPD certificates document training completed and CPD hours earned
  • CPD keeps you current and develops skills throughout your career
  • CPD accreditation is quality assurance, not government regulation

About Qualifications:

  • Regulated qualifications are formal credentials (degrees, diplomas, NVQs, etc.)
  • Qualifications must be on the Ofqual Register (or SQA, Qualifications Wales, CCEA)
  • Qualifications establish baseline competence to enter a profession
  • Qualifications require structured assessment and external verification

For Training Providers:

  • NEVER market CPD courses as qualifications - it violates advertising standards
  • Always specify "CPD certificate," "CPD accredited," and "CPD hours"
  • Be transparent about what learners are purchasing

For Learners:

  • Ask directly: "Is this CPD or a regulated qualification?"
  • Verify qualifications on the Ofqual Register (or equivalent)
  • Check CPD accreditation claims independently
  • Red flags: vague language, no clear information, pressure tactics

For Employers:

  • Verify qualifications for roles that legally require them
  • Value CPD as evidence of ongoing professional development
  • Support employee CPD to maintain competence

The Bottom Line:

  • Both CPD and qualifications are valuable, but they serve different purposes
  • Qualifications establish baseline competence; CPD maintains and develops it
  • Always verify claims independently - knowledge protects you