From application to accreditation — clearly.

Every course we accredit is reviewed against the same eight dimensions. Publishing the framework openly is part of how we keep the badge meaningful — buyers can see exactly what it represents, and providers know exactly what the assessor is looking at.

1. Learning outcomes — Are the outcomes specific, observable, and assessable? Do they describe what the learner will do, not what the trainer will cover? We test for verbs that resist measurement ("understand", "be aware of") and ask for sharper alternatives.
2. Content currency — Is the material based on current standards, regulations, and evidence? When was it last reviewed? Sources cited where appropriate? CPD content goes stale quickly in regulated areas; we expect a defensible review cadence.
3. Content accuracy — Is the information factually correct, balanced, and free of misleading claims? Where there's professional debate, is it acknowledged rather than glossed over?
4. Structured learning time — Does the claimed CPD hour value match the actual structured learning required? We use the calculator-style breakdown of instruction + active exercises + discussion + assessment, and we'll send back inflated claims.
5. Assessment design — Does the assessment actually measure the stated outcomes? Is the depth of assessment matched to the depth of the outcome? A "evaluate" outcome assessed only by a multiple-choice quiz fails this test.
6. Accessibility — Are subtitles, transcripts, and alt text present? Can the course be navigated by keyboard, screen-reader, or with reduced motion preferences? We hold this dimension firmly — accessibility gaps are not minor edits.
7. Learner support — Is there a clear way for learners to ask questions, raise concerns, or access help? For courses with assessment, is there a feedback or appeal mechanism?
8. Provider operating standards — Are your terms, refund policy, data handling, and complaint process clearly published? We don't audit your finances, but we do check that the operating wrapper around the course meets a fair-trading bar.

A course passes accreditation when all eight dimensions are at or above standard. Most first-time submissions hit six or seven cleanly and need adjustments on one or two — typically assessment design or accessibility. Revisions are nearly always small; we don't ask anyone to start over.

Most providers can complete the application form in 15–20 minutes if these are ready in advance. Don't worry about polish — we'd rather see a working draft than a re-edited brochure.

• Course title, one-line description, and target learner profile.
• 3–5 stated learning outcomes (use observable verbs).
• Outline of content sections with approximate time per section.
• Description of the assessment (what learners do, how it's marked).
• Sample of the actual content — slides, video clip, learner workbook, or LMS access. We don't need everything; a representative sample is enough.
• Your terms / refund policy / privacy notice URLs.
• An estimate of total structured learning time (the CPD hour calculator helps).

If you're missing a piece, apply anyway — we'll flag what's needed in the initial review. Application doesn't trigger payment; that happens at the accreditation grant step.