CPD Accreditation vs. Regulated Qualifications: Understanding the Difference

CPD Accreditation vs. Regulated Qualifications: Understanding the Fundamental Difference

What Every Training Provider Needs to Know About Accreditation, Awarding Organisations, and Qualifications

If you're a training provider, you've likely encountered both "CPD accreditation" and "regulated qualifications" - but do you understand the crucial difference between them?

Many training providers confuse these two completely separate concepts, sometimes because organisations deliberately blur the lines between them. Understanding this distinction is essential for:

Choosing the right credentials for your courses
Making accurate claims to learners
Avoiding misleading advertising
Pricing your courses appropriately
Meeting regulatory requirements where applicable

This comprehensive guide explains exactly what CPD accreditation is, what regulated qualifications are, how they differ, and why it matters.

Quick Summary: The Core Difference

CPD Accreditation:

❌ Unregulated
❌ No government oversight
❌ Issued by commercial organisations
✅ Verifies professional development value
✅ Suitable for non-qualification courses

Regulated Qualifications:

✅ Regulated by Ofqual (or equivalent)
✅ Government-overseen framework
✅ Issued only by Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisations
✅ Formal qualification with specific learning outcomes
✅ Nationally recognised standards

They are NOT interchangeable and claiming one when you only have the other is seriously misleading.

Part 1: What is CPD Accreditation?

Definition

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation is independent verification by a CPD accreditation organisation that a training course meets standards for professional development.

Key Characteristics of CPD Accreditation:

Unregulated:

No government body oversees CPD accreditation
No official CPD accreditation standards
Anyone can establish a CPD accreditation organisation
Quality varies significantly between providers

Commercial Service:

CPD accreditation organisations are private businesses
They set their own assessment criteria
They charge fees for accreditation
They have no statutory authority

Purpose:

Provides independent quality verification
Indicates course is suitable for professional development
Awards CPD hours/points to learners
Enhances course credibility and marketability

What CPD Accreditation Is NOT:

❌ NOT a regulated qualification
❌ NOT government-approved or endorsed
❌ NOT overseen by Ofqual or any regulatory body
❌ NOT equivalent to formal qualifications
❌ NOT mandatory for training providers

CPD Accreditation Organisations

These are independent commercial bodies that:

Assess training courses against their criteria
Issue CPD accreditation certificates
Allow use of their accreditation badges
Provide CPD points/hours to learners
Maintain directories of accredited courses

Examples of CPD Accreditation Organisations: (These accredit CPD courses - they are NOT awarding bodies)

The CPD Group
CPD Standards Office
CPD Certification Service
Various other commercial CPD accreditation providers

The CPD Register's Role: We certify CPD accreditation organisations that meet published standards for quality, transparency, and professional operations. We do NOT accredit courses directly - we certify the organisations that do.

Who Uses CPD Accreditation?

Training providers offering:

Professional development workshops
Short courses and masterclasses
Online training programs
Continuing education for professionals
Skills development courses
Non-qualification-bearing training

Professionals seeking:

Evidence of learning for professional portfolios
CPD hours for professional body requirements
Skills enhancement without formal qualification
Career development activities
Specialist knowledge updates

Part 2: What Are Regulated Qualifications?

Definition

Regulated qualifications are formal qualifications that are regulated by government-appointed bodies (Ofqual in England) to ensure they meet national standards.

The Regulatory Framework

Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation):

Non-ministerial government department
Regulates qualifications, exams, and assessments in England
Established in law under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009
Accountable to Parliament through the Education Select Committee
Independent from ministerial government

Ofqual's Role:

Sets rules that awarding organisations must meet
Recognises awarding organisations as fit to award qualifications
Monitors compliance with regulations
Ensures validity, reliability, and standards
Takes action when standards are at risk
Maintains the Register of Regulated Qualifications

Other UK Regulators:

Qualifications Wales (Wales)
CCEA Regulation (Northern Ireland)
SQA Accreditation (Scotland)

What Makes a Qualification "Regulated"?

For a qualification to be regulated, it must:

Be awarded by an Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisation
Appear on the Register of Regulated Qualifications
Have a unique qualification number
Meet Ofqual's General Conditions of Recognition
Undergo regular quality assurance and monitoring

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)

Regulated qualifications sit on a framework with defined levels:

Entry Level - Basic knowledge and skills
Level 1 - GCSE grades 3-1 or D-G
Level 2 - GCSE grades 9-4 or A*-C
Level 3 - A-level
Level 4 - Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Level 5 - Higher National Diploma (HND)
Level 6 - Bachelor's degree
Level 7 - Master's degree
Level 8 - Doctorate

Each level has defined standards for difficulty, complexity, and depth of knowledge.

Part 3: What is an Awarding Organisation?

Definition

An Awarding Organisation (also known as an Awarding Body) is an organisation that designs, develops, delivers, and awards regulated qualifications.

Key Point: NOT the Same as CPD Accreditation Organisations

This is where confusion often occurs:

A CPD Accreditation Organisation	An Awarding Organisation
Accredits CPD courses	Awards regulated qualifications
Unregulated	Regulated by Ofqual
Commercial service	Ofqual-recognised
Self-determined standards	Must meet Ofqual's conditions
Anyone can establish one	Must apply for and achieve Ofqual recognition
Awards CPD points/hours	Awards formal qualifications with certificates
No government oversight	Government-regulated

Becoming an Ofqual-Recognised Awarding Organisation

This is a major, rigorous process, not something done casually:

Requirements:

Demonstrate organisational capacity and competence
Show financial viability and sustainability
Evidence governance structures
Prove assessment expertise
Show quality assurance capability
Meet specific recognition criteria
Undergo panel review
Achieve formal recognition by Ofqual

Ongoing Obligations:

Annual compliance reporting
Regular Ofqual monitoring
Adherence to General Conditions of Recognition
Quality assurance processes
Handling appeals and complaints
Maintaining standards

Ofqual Can:

Monitor performance
Conduct investigations
Impose conditions
Issue fines
Suspend qualifications
Withdraw recognition

Examples of Legitimate Awarding Organisations

Well-known regulated awarding organisations:

Pearson Edexcel
AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA)
City & Guilds
BTEC
TQUK (Training Qualifications UK)
NCFE
Highfield
Innovate Awarding
Focus Awards
Many others

You can verify any awarding organisation at:
Register of Regulated Qualifications

Part 4: Key Differences Explained

CPD Accreditation vs. Regulated Qualification

Let's break down the critical differences:

1. Regulatory Status

CPD Accreditation:

Completely unregulated
No government oversight
No official standards
Self-determined criteria

Regulated Qualification:

Government-regulated by Ofqual
Statutory framework
Defined national standards
External quality assurance

2. Who Can Provide It?

CPD Accreditation:

Any commercial organisation can offer CPD accreditation
No recognition required
No formal application process (beyond business registration)
The CPD Register provides voluntary certification and oversight

Regulated Qualification:

ONLY Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisations can award regulated qualifications
Must undergo rigorous recognition process
Subject to ongoing Ofqual monitoring
Recognition can be withdrawn

3. What You Receive

CPD Accreditation:

Certificate of CPD accreditation for the course
CPD hours/points awarded to learners
Right to use accreditation badge
Listing in provider's directory

Regulated Qualification:

Formal qualification certificate
Specific qualification title and number
RQF level designation
National recognition
Potential UCAS points (for some qualifications)

4. Recognition and Value

CPD Accreditation:

Recognition varies
Value depends on who provides it
Not universally accepted
May be required by some professional bodies
Enhances credibility but not a formal qualification

Regulated Qualification:

Nationally recognised
Accepted by employers and education institutions
Consistent standards across providers
Progression pathways defined
May be required for certain roles or licenses

5. Quality Assurance

CPD Accreditation:

Internal quality assurance by accreditation organisation
Standards set by each organisation independently
The CPD Register certifies accreditation organisations (voluntary)
No external oversight (unless certified by CPD Register)

Regulated Qualification:

Ofqual sets rules and monitors compliance
External quality assurance required
Regular audits and inspections
Consistent standards across all awarding organisations
Enforcement action for non-compliance

6. Cost Implications

CPD Accreditation:

Typically £200-£1,000+ per course
Or annual packages for multiple courses
Cost to training provider (passed to learners in course fees)

Regulated Qualification:

Training provider must be an approved centre
Pay registration fees to awarding organisation
Pay per-learner certification fees
Invest in quality assurance systems
Significantly higher investment

7. What You Can Claim

CPD Accreditation:

"CPD Accredited Course"
"X CPD hours/points"
"Accredited by [organisation name]"
"Suitable for professional development"

What you CANNOT claim:

❌ "Regulated qualification"
❌ "Ofqual-accredited" (wrong terminology)
❌ "Nationally recognised qualification"
❌ "Level X qualification" (unless it genuinely is)

Regulated Qualification:

"Regulated qualification"
"Ofqual-regulated"
Specific qualification title (e.g., "Level 3 Award in Education and Training")
Qualification number
RQF level
Awarding organisation name

What you MUST provide:

✅ Name of awarding organisation
✅ Qualification number
✅ Evidence of centre approval
✅ RQF level

Part 5: Can Training Providers Offer Both?

Yes - but they serve different purposes and have different requirements.

Scenario 1: Offering CPD-Accredited Courses

What you need:

Quality training courses
Apply for CPD accreditation from a CPD accreditation organisation
Pay accreditation fees
Meet their assessment criteria
Use their badge and award CPD points

What you deliver:

Professional development training
CPD certificates to learners
Evidence of learning for portfolios
Non-qualification-bearing courses

What you can claim:

"CPD Accredited"
CPD hours/points stated
Professional development course

Scenario 2: Offering Regulated Qualifications

What you need:

Become an approved centre with an Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisation
Meet the awarding organisation's centre approval criteria
Demonstrate qualified staff
Evidence quality assurance systems
Provide appropriate facilities and resources
Pay centre approval and learner registration fees

What you deliver:

Formal qualification courses
Teaching to set qualification standards
Assessment to qualification criteria
Qualification certificates issued by awarding organisation

What you can claim:

"We deliver [qualification name]"
"Approved centre for [Awarding Organisation]"
"Ofqual-regulated qualification"
Qualification level and number

Scenario 3: Offering Both (Common)

Many training providers offer:

CPD-accredited courses for professional development (unregulated)
Regulated qualifications for formal credentials (regulated)

This is legitimate IF:

✅ Clear distinction maintained between the two
✅ Accurate claims for each type
✅ Proper approval for regulated qualifications
✅ Different pricing reflecting different value
✅ Learners understand what they're getting

This is misleading IF:

❌ CPD courses described as qualifications
❌ Qualification language used for CPD courses
❌ Prices suggest qualification when it's CPD
❌ Blurred lines confuse learners

Part 6: The Problem - CPD Accreditation Organisations Misrepresenting Themselves

Issue 1: Calling Themselves "Awarding Bodies"

Some CPD accreditation organisations:

Describe themselves as "awarding bodies" or "awarding organisations"
Use language suggesting they award regulated qualifications
Create confusion with legitimate Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations

The truth: They are CPD accreditation organisations, NOT Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations. They do not award regulated qualifications.

Why this is problematic:

Misleads training providers about their status
Creates false impression of regulatory oversight
Suggests equivalence to regulated qualifications that doesn't exist
Unfair competitive advantage through misrepresentation

Issue 2: Offering "Qualifications" That Are Actually CPD

Some organisations:

Offer courses with "qualification" titles
Use qualification language (e.g., "Level 3 Award")
Issue certificates that look like qualification certificates
But the courses are NOT regulated qualifications

Example: The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)

Legitimate AET:

Ofqual-regulated qualification
Qualification number: 601/3320/0 (or similar depending on awarding organisation)
Must be delivered by approved centres
Awarded by Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations (TQUK, Highfield, NCFE, etc.)
12 RQF credits at Level 3
Specific assessment requirements
Formal qualification certificate

Misleading "AET" offered as CPD:

Called "Level 3 Award in Education and Training" or similar
Described as providing "teaching qualification"
But NOT regulated
No qualification number
No Ofqual recognition
A CPD course with a misleading title
Certificate is CPD, not a qualification

The harm:

Learners pay thinking they're getting a regulated qualification
Certificate not recognised where legitimate AET required
Waste of money and time
Potential career impact (can't progress or work where AET needed)
Damage to reputation when qualification isn't recognised

Issue 3: Being a Training Provider While Accrediting Others

Some CPD accreditation organisations also:

Deliver their own training courses
Offer their own "qualifications" or CPD
Compete directly with training providers they accredit

Potential conflicts of interest:

Do they favour their own courses?
Do they accredit competitors fairly?
Are standards consistently applied?
Is independence maintained?
Is IP secure?

This isn't necessarily wrong, but requires:

Clear governance separating functions
Transparent conflict management
Fair treatment of all applicants
No competitive advantage from accreditation role

Part 7: Real-World Evidence - What We See Through CPD Passport

The Problem in Practice

Through CPD Passport - our platform where professionals store their CPD certificates and learning records - we have direct visibility into how this confusion between CPD courses and regulated qualifications affects real learners.

What we're observing:

When learners upload their certificates to CPD Passport, we review them to verify the CPD hours and categorise the learning activity. During this review process, we've noticed a troubling pattern:

Many learners are uploading certificates for courses they genuinely believe are regulated qualifications, when in reality they're CPD courses.

The Certificate Evidence

When we examine these certificates, the issue becomes clear. The certificates issued by training providers include terminology that strongly suggests - or outright claims - qualification status:

Terms we frequently see on CPD course certificates:

"Qualification in..."
"Qualified in..."
"Level 3 in..."
"Level 4 Diploma in..."
"Entry Level Certificate in..."
"Advanced Diploma in..."
"Professional Certificate in..."
"Certified [Profession]"

The reality: When we verify these courses:

❌ They don't appear on the Register of Regulated Qualifications
❌ They don't have qualification numbers
❌ They're not awarded by Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations
❌ They're CPD courses, not regulated qualifications

But the learner doesn't know this - the certificate and course marketing led them to believe they earned a qualification.

Is It the Learner's Mistake or the Training Provider's?

In some cases, it may be a genuine mistake by the learner. Perhaps they:

Misunderstood what they were buying
Assumed "professional certificate" meant "qualification"
Didn't know to verify on the Ofqual register
Were confused by the course description

However, in the vast majority of cases, the fault lies with the training provider.

Training Provider Responsibility

The problem:

Training providers are deliberately or carelessly using qualification-associated terminology on CPD courses:

Course titles include "Level X Diploma/Certificate"
Marketing describes course as "qualification"
Certificates issued use qualification language
Learners are given every impression they're earning a qualification
No clear disclosure that it's CPD, not a regulated qualification

Examples of misleading course naming we've seen:

❌ "Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy" (CPD course, not regulated)
❌ "Advanced Qualified Practitioner in Hypnotherapy" (CPD, not regulated)
❌ "Professional Qualification in Personal Training" (CPD, not regulated)
❌ "Entry Level Certificate in Counselling Skills" (CPD, not regulated)

Why this is harmful:

Financial harm: Learners pay qualification-level prices for CPD courses
Career impact: Certificate isn't recognised where qualification required
Wasted time: Months studying something that doesn't deliver promised credentials
Progression blocked: Can't advance to next level or professional registration
Loss of trust: Damages trust in legitimate training providers
Industry reputation: Harms the entire CPD sector

The Role of CPD Accreditation Organisations

Here's where this gets particularly problematic:

If a course has been CPD accredited, the CPD accreditation organisation should be actively preventing this misleading terminology.

CPD accreditation organisations have a responsibility to:

✅ Review course titles and marketing materials during the accreditation process
✅ Identify qualification-associated terminology (Level, Diploma, Certificate, Qualification, Qualified)
✅ Notify training providers that these terms are associated with regulated qualifications
✅ Require changes before granting or maintaining accreditation
✅ Refuse to accredit courses using misleading qualification terminology
✅ Monitor ongoing compliance after accreditation is granted

The issue:

Many CPD accreditation organisations are failing to do this. They're:

Accrediting courses with qualification terminology in titles
Not reviewing marketing materials for misleading claims
Not enforcing clear distinction between CPD and qualifications
Contributing to learner confusion through inaction
Prioritising revenue over consumer protection

What Should Be Happening

Best practice for CPD accreditation organisations:

During application review:

Check course title for qualification-associated terms
Review all marketing materials and website content
Examine sample certificates to be issued
Verify clear disclosure that course is CPD, not qualification
Require changes if qualification language is present

If problematic terminology is found:

"Your course title includes 'Level 3 Diploma' - this terminology is associated with Ofqual-regulated qualifications. Please rename to avoid confusion."
"Your certificate design uses qualification language. Please revise to clearly indicate this is CPD."
"Your marketing implies qualification status. Please add clear disclosure that this is CPD accreditation, not a regulated qualification."

Ongoing monitoring:

Periodic review of accredited courses
Check for changes to course titles or marketing
Review learner complaints about misleading claims
Suspend or withdraw accreditation if issues not corrected

The CPD Register's Findings

Through our certification work with CPD accreditation organisations and our observations via CPD Passport, we've documented:

Frequency of the issue:

Approximately 15-25% of CPD certificates uploaded to CPD Passport show evidence of qualification-style terminology
Most common in: beauty/aesthetics, complementary therapies, counselling, personal training, coaching sectors
Ranges from borderline ambiguous to clearly misleading

Impact on learners:

Many learners genuinely believe they hold qualifications
Some discover the truth only when applying for jobs or professional registration
Significant emotional and financial distress when they realise
Loss of trust in the CPD system

Training provider awareness:

Some genuinely don't know the difference (education needed)
Many know but don't care (enforcement needed)
Some deliberately mislead to justify higher prices (fraud)

CPD accreditation organisation responsibility:

Those who review and prevent this deserve recognition
Those who ignore it or contribute to it should not receive CPD Register certification
There's a clear quality divide between responsible and irresponsible accreditation organisations

Why This Matters for The CPD Register's Mission

This real-world evidence demonstrates exactly why The CPD Register exists.

The CPD accreditation sector is unregulated. There are no enforced standards. No one is ensuring CPD accreditation organisations maintain quality and protect consumers.

Through CPD Passport, we're seeing the direct consequences:

Learners confused about what they've earned
Training providers misleading customers
CPD accreditation organisations failing their responsibility
The entire CPD sector's reputation at risk

Our certification standards address this specifically:

The CPD Register requires certified accreditation organisations to:

Review course materials for misleading qualification terminology
Enforce clear distinction between CPD and regulated qualifications
Protect learners from confusion and misrepresentation
Take corrective action when issues are identified
Maintain high standards of consumer protection

This isn't theoretical - it's a documented, widespread problem affecting real people.

What This Means for Training Providers

If you're a training provider with CPD-accredited courses:

Check your course titles and certificates:

Do they include "Level," "Diploma," "Certificate," "Qualification," or "Qualified"?
Could a reasonable person believe these are regulated qualifications?
Do your marketing materials create false impressions?

If yes, you should:

Rename courses to clearly indicate CPD status
Revise certificates to remove qualification language
Update marketing to be transparent about CPD vs. qualification
Add clear disclosure about course status

Your CPD accreditation organisation should help you with this - and if they haven't already raised it, question whether they're meeting their responsibilities.

If you're offering actual regulated qualifications:

Make it absolutely clear with qualification numbers
Name the awarding organisation prominently
Show your centre approval
Don't let confusion arise between your CPD and regulated offerings

What This Means for Learners

When considering a course that uses qualification language:

🔍 Verify independently:

Search the Register of Regulated Qualifications
Ask for the qualification number
Contact the supposed awarding organisation
Don't trust certificate design or course title alone

❓ Ask direct questions:

"Is this a regulated qualification or CPD?"
"What will I receive - a qualification certificate or CPD certificate?"
"Can I verify this on the Ofqual register?"
"Will this be recognised for [specific purpose]?"

🚩 Red flags to watch for:

Vague responses about qualification status
Can't provide qualification number
Certificate comes from training provider, not awarding organisation
Course uses qualification terminology but can't be verified

Don't assume - verify everything before enrolling.

The Bottom Line

The evidence from CPD Passport proves this is a significant, systemic problem:

Training providers are widely using qualification terminology on CPD courses
Learners are being misled (intentionally or unintentionally)
Many CPD accreditation organisations are failing to prevent this
Real people are suffering financial and career harm
The CPD sector's reputation is being damaged

This demonstrates the urgent need for:

Better standards in CPD accreditation
Independent certification of accreditation organisations
Consumer protection and education
Clear distinction between CPD and qualifications
Accountability for misleading practices

The CPD Register exists to address exactly these issues - bringing quality, transparency, and consumer protection to the unregulated CPD accreditation sector.

Through CPD Passport, we're not just observing the problem - we're documenting it, measuring it, and working to solve it through certification standards that protect learners.

Part 8: How to Verify Legitimate Qualifications

For Training Providers Offering Regulated Qualifications

You MUST be able to provide:

Name of the Awarding Organisation

Specific Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation
Not just "we're accredited" - WHO recognises you?

Qualification Number

Every regulated qualification has a unique number
Format: XXX/XXXX/X
Example: 601/3320/0 (AET from TQUK)
Searchable on Register of Regulated Qualifications

Certificate of Centre Approval

Written approval from awarding organisation
Centre number assigned
Approved qualifications listed
Date of approval and review dates

For "Degree" Level Courses

Name of university or academic institution
Partnership agreement details
Accreditation or validation documentation
Verification directly with the university

How to Verify as a Learner

Before enrolling, check:

Search the Register of Regulated Qualifications

Visit: register.ofqual.gov.uk
Search for the qualification title
Verify qualification number matches
Check awarding organisation is recognised

Contact the Awarding Organisation

Find their website
Verify the training provider is an approved centre
Ask for their centre number
Confirm qualification being offered

Request Evidence

Ask for centre approval certificate
Request qualification number
Check certification will come from awarding organisation (not training provider)

For University Partnerships

Contact the university directly
Verify partnership exists
Confirm degree is actually awarded by university
Check validation and accreditation status

Red Flags Indicating Misrepresentation

Warning signs the "qualification" may actually be CPD:

🚩 No qualification number provided
🚩 Can't name specific awarding organisation
🚩 No centre approval certificate available
🚩 Certificate comes from training provider, not awarding organisation
🚩 Price is suspiciously low for regulated qualification
🚩 No mention on Register of Regulated Qualifications
🚩 Qualification title doesn't match anything on Ofqual register
🚩 Claims "equivalent to" regulated qualification
🚩 Vague about regulatory status
🚩 Uses "accredited" without specifying by whom
🚩 Can't verify with named awarding organisation

Part 9: Why the Distinction Matters

For Training Providers

Getting it wrong can result in:

Misleading advertising (ASA complaints)
Trading Standards investigations
Legal action from learners
Damage to reputation
Lost business from exposed misrepresentation
Difficulty working with legitimate awarding organisations

Getting it right enables:

Accurate marketing and claims
Appropriate pricing
Clear value proposition
Avoiding regulatory issues
Building trust with learners
Legitimate business growth

For Learners

Understanding the difference protects you from:

Paying for qualifications that aren't recognised
Wasting time on courses that don't deliver promised credentials
Career setbacks from non-recognised certificates
Financial loss from misleading purchases

Enables you to:

Make informed decisions
Choose appropriate credentials for your needs
Verify legitimacy before enrolling
Get value for your investment

For the Industry

Clear distinctions support:

Fair competition
Consumer confidence
Quality standards
Professional integrity
Sector reputation

Confusion and misrepresentation harm:

Legitimate providers
Industry reputation
Consumer trust
Professional standards

Conclusion: Know the Difference, Make Informed Choices

CPD accreditation and regulated qualifications serve different purposes:

CPD Accreditation:

✅ Excellent for professional development
✅ Suitable for non-qualification courses
✅ Flexible and accessible
✅ Valuable for CPD portfolios
❌ NOT a regulated qualification
❌ NOT government-overseen

Regulated Qualifications:

✅ Formal, nationally recognised credentials
✅ Government-regulated standards
✅ Required for certain roles and progression
✅ Awarded only by Ofqual-recognised organisations
❌ More expensive and resource-intensive
❌ Requires centre approval

Both have value. Neither is "better." They're different.

The key is:

Understand what you're offering or buying
Make accurate claims
Verify credentials properly
Choose what fits your needs
Don't be misled by blurred lines

As a training provider: Be honest about what you offer. If it's CPD, call it CPD. If it's a regulated qualification, prove it with awarding organisation details and qualification numbers.

As a learner: Verify before you buy. Check the Register of Regulated Qualifications. Contact awarding organisations. Don't accept vague claims.

Remember: Calling yourself an "awarding body" when you're a CPD accreditation organisation isn't just misleading - it's potentially fraudulent misrepresentation.

The CPD Register is a certification body for CPD Accreditation Organisations. We certify organisations that accredit CPD courses - we do NOT certify awarding organisations (that's Ofqual's role) and we do NOT accredit training courses directly.

Our mission: bring transparency and quality to the unregulated CPD accreditation sector.

Verify CPD accreditation organisations: The CPD Register
Verify regulated qualifications: Register of Regulated Qualifications
Learn about Ofqual: GOV.UK - Ofqual

Quick Reference Guide

I have a CPD-accredited course: