CPD England Standard M1.0
Standards for healthcare professional education
Every application is assessed against these eight standards. A reviewer records a finding against each one, and the decision letter references the standards that were met, partially met or not met.
Standard 01
Defined educational need
The activity addresses an identifiable learning or professional-development need for its intended audience.
Evidence reviewers look for
- A statement of the need the activity responds to
- Where relevant, the source of that need: guideline change, service development, appraisal themes, learner feedback
Standard 02
Clear learning outcomes
Learning outcomes are specific, observable and appropriate for the stated audience and duration.
Evidence reviewers look for
- Between three and eight outcomes for a typical activity
- Outcomes written in terms of what a participant will be able to do
Standard 03
Appropriate educational content
Content is relevant, accurate and proportionate to the stated learning outcomes.
Evidence reviewers look for
- A programme or module outline mapped to the learning outcomes
- No material that is primarily promotional
Standard 04
Suitable teaching methodology
The educational format supports achievement of the intended learning outcomes.
Evidence reviewers look for
- Description of teaching methods and the balance of didactic to interactive time
- For online activities, how participation and engagement are supported
Standard 05
Appropriate faculty
Faculty have suitable expertise or experience for the material they deliver.
Evidence reviewers look for
- Names, roles and relevant qualifications or experience
- Where faculty are in training, arrangements for supervision
Standard 06
Evidence-based content
Clinical recommendations reflect reasonable contemporary evidence and accepted professional practice.
Evidence reviewers look for
- Key references, guidelines or professional standards relied on
- Clear labelling where practice is contested or evolving
Standard 07
Evaluation
Participants have a genuine opportunity to evaluate the activity.
Evidence reviewers look for
- The evaluation instrument or questions used
- How feedback is reviewed and acted on between deliveries
Standard 08
Commercial transparency
Relevant financial interests, sponsorship and conflicts are declared and appropriately managed.
Evidence reviewers look for
- Declaration of sponsorship, commercial funding and faculty interests
- Confirmation that sponsors have no control over educational content
Maintaining the standards
How the standards change
The standards are versioned. Substantive changes create a new version number, are published here before they take effect, and apply to applications submitted after that date. Accreditations already issued remain valid under the version they were assessed against, which is recorded on every register entry and certificate.