We have provided guidance on the steps for our CPD Approval Process below. Please also ensure you familiarise yourself with the BDA Standards for CPD Approval, and our terms and conditions before applying.
Fees
The BDA CPD Approval fee schedule for 2024/25 can be found here.
Application
Determine which application route you require:
- Fast track (approval within three weeks or retrospective)
- Standard (approval within four to six weeks)
Complete the appropriate online application form. Either:
- CPD Approval: General
- CPD Approval: Conference
- CPD Re-approval
Submission
The BDA will acknowledge receipt of an application and the associated fees within five working days. An invoice for the application fee will also be issued within seven to ten working days.
The application will then go through:
Stage one: Internal assessment
This involves the BDA endorsement team undertaking an initial suitability and completion check.
Factors considered will include, but are not limited to:
- Appropriateness for the nutrition and dietetic profession
- The involvement of dietitians
- The sponsorship and/or funding arrangements
- Any conflicts of interest
- If the content is in direct competition with a BDA Classroom course
- Compatibility with BDA Policy and Positions
- Author and origin
- The peer review process
If an application is considered unsuitable by our internal team, an email will be sent detailing the reason for this. The BDA reserves the right to refuse an application at this stage.
Applications which are successful at stage one, will progress to:
Stage two: External assessment
This involves the application and all supporting information being sent to a BDA CPD Approval Assessor.
From time to time, assessors may be required to ask BDA staff to obtain further information or clarification from the applicant. This may extend the processing time of applications.
The Assessor will complete the BDA CPD Approval Assessor form, and provide a decision to the internal team, alongside supporting comments.
Decision
A decision will be made to either approve or decline the resource. The decision of the BDA is final.
If the decision is to decline approval for the learning activity, details of the decision will be provided. An application can be re-submitted; a new application fee will apply.
If the decision is to approve the learning activity you will be sent the following:
- An outline of statements that can be used in respect of CPD Approval
- Confirmation of the 12-month agreement term
- Invoice for the approval fee, where applicable
- Individualised BDA CPD Approval logo, and associated guidance
- Website advertisement form
Post Approval
As part of our approval agreement, we will support the promotion of Approved learning activities in the following way:
All BDA Approved CPD learning activities will be added to our BDA CPD Approved Hub, either until the event date has passed or until the term of the approval ends. The website advertisement form will be sent within the confirmation email, and must be completed for this to be actioned.
CPD learning activities with single dates will be including in the BDA Events calendar.
During the period of your approval term, you must notify the BDA of any changes to the learning activity via email to [email protected]. Any substantive change will require submission of a new application for approval, alongside the associated fees.
Four weeks prior to the approval period ending and if there are no changes, or only minor changes, to the content or delivery of the learning activity, providers can apply for re-approval via our BDA CPD Re-approval Application Form.
Re-approval applications receive a 50% reduction on the approval fee.
Re-approval applications must be submitted four weeks ahead of the expiry date. If received after this date, they may not be accepted for the 50% discount.
Re-approval is only available for one consecutive year. At the end of the second year of BDA CPD Approval, a full application would need to be completed.
If the initial 12-month approval period has expired and there are major changes to either the content or delivery a new CPD Approval form must be submitted, standard fees would apply.
Access the form you need here:
