What’s the Difference Between All These Accredited Courses? ABT, VTCT, CPD Explained

If you’re looking into beauty training, you’ve probably seen a lot of unfamiliar abbreviations: ABT, VTCT, CPD.
But what do they actually mean—and which one is best for you?

Let’s break them down one by one, so you can choose your path with clarity and confidence.

ABT – Flexible, Practical & Fast
ABT (Associated Beauty Therapists) is one of the most widely recognised accreditation bodies in the UK beauty industry. Courses with ABT accreditation are designed to get you qualified quickly, while still meeting the professional standards required by most UK insurers.

They’re ideal if you want to:

- Learn a treatment like brows, lashes, waxing or microneedling
- Complete your training in 1 to 3 days
- Start working with clients immediately after certification
- Get insured without delay

Many C-Training favourites like the Brow Course and Microneedling Course are ABT accredited.

It’s a great option if you want to move quickly and gain practical, hands-on skills with industry recognition.

VTCT – Government-Recognised Qualifications
VTCT stands for Vocational Training Charitable Trust. These courses are officially regulated and recognised by Ofqual (the UK government’s qualification regulator).

VTCT courses often include Levels (e.g. Level 3, Level 4, Level 5), which indicate depth and complexity. They usually:

- Take longer to complete (from a few weeks to a few months)
- Include both theory and practical assessments
- Require coursework or exams
- Are ideal for career changers or those seeking regulated, clinic-level work

If you're aiming to work in medical aesthetics, laser therapy, or advanced clinical skin treatments, VTCT may be your best route. C-Training offers several Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications under VTCT.

CPD – Continuous Professional Development
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. CPD-accredited courses are often shorter, more focused, and aimed at professionals who are already qualified but want to expand their skills.

These courses are:

- Great for keeping up with trends and techniques
- Useful if you already have a core qualification but want to add more services
- Often 1–2 day workshops, in-person or online
- Sometimes eligible for insurance—always double-check with your provider

At C-Training, you’ll find CPD courses for niche treatments like LED therapy, hydrogen facials or HIFU skin tightening.

So… Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple way to decide:

Choose ABT if you want to learn quickly, offer treatments straight away, and need flexible hands-on training.

Choose VTCT if you’re building a long-term career and need official, regulated qualifications for clinic or advanced work.

Choose CPD if you’re already working in beauty and want to keep growing, upskilling, or specialising.

Still not sure? That’s totally normal—accreditation can be confusing. That’s why we’re always happy to help.

👉 View our full course range here
👉 Message our team here and we’ll guide you based on your background and goals.

C-Training – Helping You Make the Right Move, Not Just the Fast One.
Training made clear. Accreditation made simple.