CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certification shows employers that you keep your skills current through recorded learning such as courses, workshops and seminars. On a job application, a CPD-accredited course relevant to the role helps fill experience gaps and gives recruiters something concrete to ask about. Most professional bodies measure CPD in hours, and one CPD point usually equals one hour.
Key Takeaways
- CPD is the umbrella term for the learning professionals do to maintain and develop their skills; it is not a single qualification.
- According to the CPD Certification Service, where CPD points or credits are used they are typically a 1:1 ratio with CPD hours.
- Some regulators set fixed amounts: the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council requires 35 hours of CPD every three years, at least 20 of them participatory.
- Other bodies, such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), use an outcomes-based approach and audit a random sample instead of counting hours.
- On a CV, list CPD under a dedicated heading with the course title, provider, accrediting body, hours and date, and link each course to a skill the job advert asks for.
If you’re looking to apply for a job, then standing out from the rest of the applicants would be important to you. Ultimately, you want your employers to see the value that you can add to their enterprise. A great way for you to achieve this in your job application is by including your completed online course related to that field or industry.
Although online courses are becoming more commonly included on resumes, they can lead to unique exchanges between you and the recruiter. They can get better quantification for potential value by inquiring about your motivation to enroll in the courses, as well as the practical knowledge that you gained from completing them.
Many employers place a high value on relevant work experience, although how much weight it carries varies by employer and role. If you are just starting out or switching careers, it can be challenging to demonstrate experience without completing some professional training, which is why CPD courses are a common way to strengthen a CV.
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is a proactive learning program that is popular among professionals looking to develop their skills and acquire new ones. Depending on your skill level and available time, you can select a CPD certified course that best suits you.
CPD is not one program with one price: costs range from free webinars and reading to paid accredited courses, and some regulators set fixed periods (the Nursing and Midwifery Council, for example, counts CPD over each three-year revalidation cycle). As its name suggests, CPD is a continuous process, and in most professions the individual is responsible for planning and recording it. Here are some reasons why you should get CPD certification.
Benefits of Participating In CPD
It communicates passion to recruiters
When going through a sea of CVs to select their prime choice, employers are always on the lookout for passionate applications. The CPD courses can set you apart from the crowd as someone with a genuine interest and passion for your career since you’re taking active steps to improve it.
It also shows them that you’re eager to learn since you can willingly expose yourself to coaching for enhancing your skillset and in turn their company. Companies are always conducting training so they have a preference for candidates that understand the importance of these procedures.
It gives you updated knowledge in your sector
Regardless of the industry that you work in, you may find it challenging to keep up with evolving practices and regulations. The courses that are CPD certified can provide you with the latest information so that your knowledge stays relevant to the sector.
Employers understandably have a preference for candidates who are updated with new methods and practices that they are likely implementing in their organization. That way, they won’t have to worry about expending resources to update your knowledge.
It enhances your salary prospects
Some employers weigh a candidate’s salary expectations against the skills the candidate brings. Depending on your industry, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary if you have completed professional courses. CPD certification gives you concrete evidence of that added value to point to in a salary discussion, although no published data shows a fixed pay increase from CPD alone.
It tells more about your discipline
Employers know how challenging it can be for applicants to enrol and complete professional courses. Having CPD certification can tell your recruiters more about your discipline and drive to take on tasks that will improve your skill sets.
When they see that you’re willing to go the extra mile, then your recap of the learning process will further indicate your passion for that field.
In summary, CPD certification can be highly beneficial for anyone looking to develop their career. Those that want to switch fields will find this initiative to be crucial for showcasing their potential value to recruiters.
If you’re serious about securing that job interview, then you should do everything possible to boost your resume so you can stand out from other applicants.
Factors to consider for undertaking CPD
When you want to take up Continuing Professional Development, you need to consider some factors to ensure you get the best out of it.
- The type of CPD: If you’re trying to improve your skills, you should select the type of CPD that is best suited to your preferred learning method. Several kinds include events, research, training courses, workshops, and E-learning programs. Also, make sure that your choice best suits your industry as well as your future career plans and expectations.
- Your free time: Before undertaking CPD, you should ensure that you have enough time to put aside for the course. Consider your family commitments and budget to determine if you’ll be better off with a part-time or full-time program.
- Personal or Group study: Are you the type of learner that benefits from studying in a group or you’d prefer a one-on-one with your tutor/material? You can select from the wide range of choices between seminars and e-learning options to match your learning pace.
What Is CPD Certification?
CPD certification means a course or learning activity has been checked by an independent accreditation body against CPD standards. According to the CPD Certification Service, which was established in 1996, CPD is “the term used to describe the learning activities professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities.” Wikipedia lists the CPD Standards Office, the CPD Institute and the CPD Certification Service among the CPD authorities in the United Kingdom.
Accreditation applies to the course or provider, while the CPD itself belongs to the learner: you complete the activity, record it and reflect on what you learned. A certificate of attendance from an accredited provider is evidence you can show a recruiter or a professional body.
How Do CPD Points and Hours Work?
Most professional bodies measure CPD in hours. The CPD Certification Service states that where CPD points or credits are used, they are typically a 1:1 ratio with CPD hours, so one CPD point equals one hour of learning.
The three types of CPD
| Type | What it involves | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Structured (active) | Interactive, participation-based study | Training courses, workshops, seminars |
| Reflective (passive) | Structured content with no participant interaction | Training videos, podcasts |
| Self-directed (informal) | Unaccompanied, unstructured learning | Reading publications, forum discussions |
The categories above follow the CPD Certification Service’s definitions. Professional bodies may only count some types toward their requirements, so check your own body’s rules before you plan.
Which Professions Require CPD?
Wikipedia notes that most professions have CPD obligations, and that nurses in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom must take part in professional development to keep their registration. Requirements differ widely, as these UK examples show (as of October 2026):
| Body | Who it covers | CPD requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) | Nurses, midwives, nursing associates | 35 hours over the three years since registration was last renewed, at least 20 of them participatory |
| Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) | Registered health and care professions | Flexible, outcomes-based standards; at each renewal 2.5 per cent of each profession is randomly selected to submit a CPD profile |
| Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) | HR and people professionals | Members record CPD under the CIPD’s CPD policy; a sample of members is audited each year |
| Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) | Solicitors in England and Wales | A continuing competence requirement to keep knowledge and skills up to date, including legal, ethical and regulatory obligations relevant to the role |
If your target job sits in a regulated profession, CPD that already counts toward that body’s requirement is the most useful kind to show an employer.
How to List CPD Certification on Your CV
- Create a separate heading such as “Professional Development” or “CPD and Training” below your education section.
- List the essentials for each entry: course title, provider, accrediting body, CPD hours or points, and completion date.
- Put the most relevant courses first, matched to the skills named in the job advert, rather than listing everything in date order.
- Add one line on what you can now do, for example a tool you learned or a process you can run, so the recruiter sees the practical result.
- Keep certificates ready as PDFs, because some employers ask for evidence at interview or onboarding.
- Prepare a short answer on why you chose the course; recruiters often ask about motivation, which ties into questions like how to answer “Tell me about yourself”.
How to Choose a CPD Course That Employers Value
- Check the accreditation by looking the provider up on the accrediting body’s own register rather than relying on a logo.
- Check whether your professional body counts it, since requirements and accepted activities vary between bodies.
- Match it to a skills gap in job adverts you are targeting; industry certifications such as those in agile project management can sit alongside CPD courses.
- Consider where your field is heading, for example the skills discussed in how AI is changing career paths and job skills.
- Record and reflect after each activity; bodies such as the NMC and HCPC ask for evidence, not just certificates.
Does CPD Actually Work?
The evidence is mixed. According to Wikipedia, a 2019 systematic review by the Campbell Collaboration found limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of continuing professional development programs. CPD is therefore best presented to employers as proof of specific skills and commitment, not as a guarantee of performance. For people building a career without a degree, practical skills such as those in underrated freelance skills that pay can be developed through CPD-style learning too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CPD stand for?
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development, also called continuing professional education (CPE). It covers the learning professionals do to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills.
How many hours is one CPD point?
One CPD point is typically one hour. The CPD Certification Service states that where points or credits are used, they usually follow a 1:1 ratio with CPD hours.
Is CPD the same as a qualification?
No. CPD is ongoing learning, while a qualification is a formal award such as a degree or diploma. A CPD-accredited course gives a certificate of completion, which shows the learning took place.
How many CPD hours do nurses need in the UK?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council requires 35 hours of CPD over the three years since registration was last renewed, with at least 20 hours of participatory learning, as of October 2026.
Should I put CPD courses on my CV?
Yes, if they are relevant to the role. List them under a separate heading with the provider, accrediting body, hours and date, and be ready to explain what you learned and how you would use it.
