What CPE accreditation means.
Accreditation is an independent body reviewing your course against published standards, and confirming the credit hours it truly earns.
- $0 approvalNo fee to become an approved provider
- Independent global bodyPublished CPE standards
- Global reachProviders approved worldwide
- Official certificatesCredit hours on every certificate
Proof your training is worth the credit
CPE (Continuing Professional Education) is the structured learning professionals complete each year to keep licenses and certifications current. When APA accredits a course, we confirm it genuinely deserves the credit hours awarded, that is what boards, employers and professionals are trusting when they accept your certificates.
- Clear learning objectives and quality content
- Qualified instructors and sound delivery
- Reliable attendance and completion records
- Credit hours calculated on the 50-minute convention
From submission to accredited CPE
Provider approval is free. Accrediting an individual course is where the per-course fee applies.
- 1
Submit the course
Per courseSend us the course outline, learning objectives, instructor credentials and how you deliver the training.
- 2
Review against our standards
IncludedOur reviewers assess the content quality, delivery method and how reliably you verify attendance and completion.
- 3
Credit hours confirmed
IncludedWe confirm the CPE credit hours the course earns, calculated on the standard 50 minutes of instruction per credit.
- 4
Award accredited CPE
OngoingIssue official CPE certificates to learners and display the APA accredited mark on your accredited courses.
Why CPE, not CPD
CPE is the credit-hour standard: structured, accredited learning measured in credit hours. CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is the UK, European and Commonwealth equivalent, broader, often self-recorded, and not what credit-hour licensing boards ask for.
If your learners report credit hours to a board, employer or association, they need CPE from an accredited provider. We publish the full CPE vs CPD comparison on our homepage.
See the CPE vs CPD comparisonWhat is the difference between provider approval and course accreditation?
Provider approval confirms your organization, instructors and quality processes meet our standards, and it is free. Course accreditation is the per-course review that confirms a specific course earns a set number of CPE credit hours.
How are CPE credit hours calculated?
We follow the widely used 50-minute convention: 50 minutes of qualifying instruction equals one CPE credit. We review your agenda, materials and delivery format to confirm the hours.
Can self-paced and online courses be accredited?
Yes. In-person, live online and on-demand courses can all be accredited, as long as they include clear objectives, assessments where needed and a reliable way to verify completion.
Will my learners' licensing board accept APA credits?
Acceptance is decided by each board or association. We recommend confirming your learners' reporting requirements, and our team can help you prepare the documentation they ask for.
How long does the review take?
Timing depends on how complete your submission is. Applications with full outlines, instructor bios and completion processes move fastest.
What do learners receive?
Learners receive an official APA certificate showing the course title, provider, completion date and CPE credit hours earned.
Do I have to accredit every course?
No. Once you are an approved provider, you choose which courses to submit. Many providers start with their most in-demand course.
Ready to have your courses accredited?
Approval as a provider is free, apply today, then submit your first course for accreditation.
Apply for free approval