Who we are
Our purpose
To make continuing professional development something everyone can trust: providers who can prove their quality, and professionals who can prove their learning.
The CPD Accreditation Bureau assesses training courses, eLearning, webinars and events against a published standard. Providers whose learning meets that standard may use our mark, issue numbered certificates and appear in our Find CPD directory.
CPD accreditation is unregulated in most countries, so its value depends entirely on the body behind it. We believe that value should be visible: anyone should be able to read our standard, see our fees, check a certificate and understand how our decisions are made.
We are based in Malta, within the European Union, and work with providers and learners in any country.
What we stand for
Our principles
Openness
Our standard, our fees and our process are published for anyone to read.
Independence
Decisions are made on evidence alone, free from commercial or personal interest.
Fairness
Every provider is assessed against the same criteria and can challenge any decision.
Verifiability
Every accredited activity and certificate can be checked by anyone, at any time.
Governance
How we are governed
Three separate roles keep standard-setting, assessment and oversight apart, so no single person controls an accreditation from start to finish.
The Bureau
Runs accreditation day to day: receives submissions, allocates assessors, issues decisions, maintains the Find CPD directory and certificate records, and publishes our annual report.
Assessors
Experienced professionals from education, learning and development, and specialist sectors who review each activity against the standard and record their reasons for every decision.
Independent Advisory Panel
Members with backgrounds in education, learning and development, compliance and professional bodies. The panel reviews our standard each year, monitors the quality of our decisions and hears appeals.
Independence
Conflicts of interest
Every decision is made on evidence alone. These rules keep it that way.
- 1
Every assessor and panel member declares their interests before starting work with us, and updates the declaration each year.
- 2
No one reviews an activity from an organisation they work for, have worked for in the last two years, or have a financial or personal link with.
- 3
The Bureau does not accredit training offered by any business its owners are involved in.
- 4
Assessors are paid per review, never per approval, so there is no reward for saying yes.
- 5
Appeals are heard only by panel members who had no part in the original decision.
Quality assurance
Checking our own work
An accreditation body should hold itself to the same standard it applies to others.
Assessor training
Every assessor is trained on our standard before reviewing, and takes part in regular calibration sessions so decisions stay consistent.
Second review
Every decision not to approve is checked by a second assessor before it is issued.
Sampling
A sample of approved activities is re-reviewed each quarter to confirm decisions are sound.
Annual review of the standard
The advisory panel reviews the standard every year. Changes are published with a version number and date.
Accountability
Open about our performance
Annual public report
Each year we publish the number of reviews completed, approval rates, average review times, appeals and their outcomes, and complaints received.
Your data
Provider and learner data is stored within the European Union and handled in line with the GDPR. We never sell data or use it for advertising. Read our privacy notice.
Accreditation you can stand behind
Find out how your training can carry the mark of The CPD Accreditation Bureau.