Accreditation and Compliance (CPD Providers/Programs, ACD)
Accreditation and Compliance (CPD Providers/Programs, ACD)
This domain tests how CPD providers and programs become accredited and how the Accreditation and Compliance Division (ACD) monitors compliance. It is about documentary fit, not popularity of the speaker.
Core rules
- A provider must be a qualified entity and apply through the prescribed process. The ACD evaluates legal existence, track record, and capacity to deliver.
- A program must align with the profession's competency standards, state learning outcomes, schedule, resource persons, assessment method, and records retention.
- Accreditation is specific to the provider, profession, and program. Approval for one profession or one offering does not automatically cover another.
- Compliance includes accurate publicity, attendance monitoring, evaluation, and timely submission of reports. Retroactive credit is generally not assumed.
Worked example
A training firm applies to run an eight-hour seminar for a professional board. The application lists a qualified speaker but no learning outcomes, no assessment, and no attendance record system. The ACD may return or deny it. Reason: content expertise alone does not satisfy program design and compliance requirements.
Traps
- Advertising CPD units before accreditation is granted.
- Using an unaccredited co-provider.
- Submitting a program that is too generic for the profession.
- Failing to keep attendance and evaluation records.