One of the most asked questions we receive at the moment is “what is the difference between CPD and Regulated qualifications? Both qualifications and accreditations hold a purpose… hers why:
CPD accredited courses stands for; Continuous Professional Development courses. It is training to continue your development from a course that you have already completed. As we know the industry changes all the time, continuing your development in what you are qualified to work in, will help to boost your knowledge and improve confidence. You would already need to have a general qualification so that you can continue to develop and grow in an area that you are trained in. It’s advised that throughout the year, to keep up your knowledge, confidence and understanding, that we all continually develop professionally develop (CPD) for around 30 hours a year.
In the past CPD courses have taken control of the industry, to the point that some therapists thought they were level 7 trained due to all the training that they had developed on. However, this is not the case. You are qualified up to the level that you are fully trained at. For example if you have completed, level 2 beauty then you are trained at Level 2 and so on. Where it gets confusing if that some CPD courses have been levelled – this is because you want to continue your development within that level. However, this is not a qualification. Qualifications for Beauty come from organisations such as Qualifi, VTCT, TQUK, CIBTAC, Focus Awards, and FAA. If your past qualifications do not hold any of the regulated organisations stamps, then it is more than likely that you have completed a CPD course. Every training provider is committed to giving you the best training and can offer recognised prior learning, but they would need to see the previous work you have completed, so that they can work with you on your RPL.
Regulated Courses: Unlike CPD courses, regulated courses have several levels of competency and there are different sizes at each level. An award is a shorter qualification, that usually consists of one – three units which can be completed within a few days. A certificate will include more units which can take more time to complete and a diploma is more comprehensive and will take months to complete.
All regulated courses will be OFQUAL approved, OFQUAL is the Office of Qualifications and Exams Regulation. This is an English regulatory body that overseas qualifications, examinations and assessments. They are the governing body that regulates Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) CIBTAC, Qualifi, TQUK, Focus Awards and FAA, these are specialist awarding and assessment organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications in a range of service sectors that meet employers’ requirements and soon to be regulatory requirements.
When it comes to starting a career in your preferred field, starting with regulated certificates will provide a solid basis for the future. CPD should only used as a stepping stone to continue your development and confidence in an area that you are already qualified within.
As part of the Health and Care Act 2022, the government intends to enforce a NEW licensing scheme that covers all cosmetic procedures, including lasers, micro needling, skin peeling and injectable procedures. It will require those who provide these treatments to be suitably trained and qualified.
In the past many people have done Anatomy and Physiology courses and then completed Laser or skin courses.
Going forward you would need to have completed qualified courses to be able to get your treatment license.