What’s the Difference Between CPD and Accredited Beauty Courses?

You’re ready to boost your skills. You want to take your beauty career to the next level. But the more you look at courses, the more confusing it gets...

CPD? Accredited? Insurable? Recognised?
It can feel like a different language.

If you've ever asked yourself “Which course is right for me?”, you're not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common questions we hear from new and returning students.

So let’s break it down—clearly, honestly, and without the jargon.

🟣 What Is an Accredited Beauty Course?
An accredited course is one that has been formally reviewed and approved by an external awarding body (such as ABT, VTCT or CPD Certification Service). This means:

- The course meets industry standards
- It’s designed for real-world, professional use
- It’s usually insurance-approved
- It provides a recognised qualification or certificate

These courses are ideal for:

- Beginners starting their beauty career
- Therapists offering treatments to paying clients
- Anyone who needs to prove formal qualifications (e.g. to employers or insurers)

At C-Training, all our main courses are accredited, giving you peace of mind and credibility from day one.

🔵 What Is a CPD Course?
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. These courses are designed to help qualified professionals:

- Learn new skills
- Update existing techniques
- Stay current with industry changes

CPD courses do not always lead to a formal qualification, but they do help you grow professionally. They're a great option if:

- You already have an accredited base qualification
- You want to specialise in a niche treatment
- You’re looking for short, practical refreshers

Many CPD-certified courses are also insurance-eligible, but this depends on the provider and your insurer—so always double-check.


🏆 Why Both Matter
The truth is—they complement each other. Most successful therapists take a mix of both:

- Start with accredited training
- Top up regularly with CPD to stay competitive
- Use both to build confidence and expand your client offer

At C-Training, we offer both formats, clearly labelled, with transparent support so you always know what you’re getting.

🚀 Let’s Plan Your Next Step
Not every course is created equal. But when you know what to look for, you can make the best decision for you.

👉 Browse our CPD and accredited courses
👉 Speak to a course advisor if you're unsure where to start

C-Training – Empowering Beauty Professionals with Clarity and Confidence.
Because knowledge is beautiful.