A webinar series, a conference or an event can be CPD accredited when its sessions are planned as learning, with stated outcomes, competent speakers and an honest count of learning time. Sales sessions, networking and exhibition time do not count. At a multi-session event, hours are usually counted per session, so each attendee's certificate shows what they actually attended.
What makes an event count as CPD
The test is the one we apply to any course: is this planned learning a professional would recognise? A conference with a clear programme, sessions built around stated outcomes and speakers who know their subject passes. An event that is mostly product demonstrations with a short talk tacked on at the end does not, however well it is run.
Counting hours at an event
Events make hours trickier, because not everyone attends everything. The cleanest approach gives each session its own CPD value and records attendance session by session. A delegate who sits through four one-hour talks gets four hours; one who comes to two gets two.
- Count talks, panels, workshops and structured question time.
- Leave out networking, exhibition time, meals and sponsor slots.
- Record attendance in a way you could show later, such as session check-in or platform logs for online events.
Webinars
A one-off webinar can still count towards a professional's CPD. For certification, though, a webinar series is usually the stronger case, because a series shows planned outcomes across several sessions. Take the housekeeping out when you count the hours, and be honest about recordings: someone who watches later has done reflective rather than live learning, and their certificate should not pretend otherwise.
Speakers and sponsors
Assessors look at who is speaking and why. A speaker employed by a sponsor can still give good CPD, but the session has to be about the subject, not the sponsor's product. A short note in your application on how speakers are briefed, and how sales content is kept out of accredited sessions, answers most questions before anyone asks them.
Hybrid events
Hybrid events, with some people in the room and some online, need one extra step. Record attendance for both groups in a way you can show later, and make sure online delegates can take part in the same activities, or count their hours as reflective if they cannot. Otherwise the rules are the same as for any other event.
Getting an event CPD certified
Our CPD Certification service covers conferences, events and webinar series where the sessions are planned learning rather than sales pitches. Send us the programme, the session outcomes, the speaker list and how you will record attendance. We check it against the criteria of the CPD body you choose and manage the application from there. The rest of the process is on our how it works page.
Common questions
Can a conference be CPD accredited?
Yes, if its sessions are planned learning with stated outcomes and competent speakers. Networking, exhibitions and sponsor slots do not count towards the hours.
How are CPD hours counted at a multi-session event?
Usually session by session, with attendance recorded, so each delegate's certificate shows the hours they actually attended.
Does watching a webinar recording count as CPD?
Usually yes, but as reflective learning rather than live participation, and the certificate should be honest about that.
Do networking sessions count as CPD?
Not as structured CPD hours. Delegates may log what they learned informally, but an accredited event should leave networking out of the total.
Can sponsored sessions be part of an accredited event?
Yes, as long as the session is about the subject rather than the sponsor's product, and the speaker has been briefed on that.
How far ahead should we apply for an event?
Early enough to send the full programme, speaker list and session outcomes. We confirm a timeline in writing after the scoping call.
Want a course CPD certified?
Book a 30 minute scoping call. We will look at the course and tell you honestly whether CPD certification is the right fit, and which CPD body might suit it. No preparation needed.
Book a 30 minute scoping callApollo Accreditation is not a regulator or an awarding organisation, and CPD accreditation is not a regulated qualification.
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