ATU |Council for Professional Accreditation and Certification

1. Document Control

Document Title: ATU-CPAC| CPD and Renewal Policy
Document Owner: ATU-CPAC Certification and Assessment Committee
Issuing Authority: Arab Trainers Union
Policy Authority: ATU-CPAC Governing Council
Approval Authority: Arab Trainers Union Board of Directors, where required
Effective Date: 1 June 2026
Review Date: Every three years, or earlier where required
Applicability: ATU-CPAC, certified professionals, candidates, approved trainers, assessors, IQAs, EQAs, approved providers, accredited providers, authorized assessment centers, partners, and all persons or organizations subject to CPD or renewal requirements under the ATU-CPAC framework

2. Introduction

The Arab Trainers Union Council for Professional Accreditation and Certification, referred to as ATU-CPAC, is a specialized council operating within the Arab Trainers Union.

ATU-CPAC regulates, monitors, quality assures, and verifies professional certification, accreditation, assessment, registry, and renewal activities under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

Continuing Professional Development, referred to as CPD, is the planned and documented process through which certified professionals, trainers, assessors, internal quality assurers, external quality assurers, and other approved persons maintain and develop their professional competence.

All professional certifications, certificates, accreditation certificates, registry confirmations, and verification records governed by ATU-CPAC are issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

3. Purpose

This policy sets out how ATU-CPAC manages CPD, renewal, recertification, continued competence, expiry, reinstatement, and registry status.

The policy aims to:

1. Protect the credibility of ATU-issued credentials.
2. Ensure certified professionals maintain current competence.
3. Support lifelong learning and professional development.
4. Define renewal and CPD requirements clearly.
5. Ensure renewal decisions are fair, transparent, and evidence-based.
6. Support registry accuracy and public verification.
7. Prevent misuse of expired, suspended, withdrawn, or revoked credentials.
8. Strengthen professional recognition across Arab countries.

4. Scope

This policy applies to renewal and CPD requirements related to:

1. ATU professional certifications.
2. ATU-CPAC-governed certification schemes.
3. Certified trainers.
4. Certified assessors.
5. Internal quality assurers.
6. External quality assurers.
7. Approved experts and reviewers where applicable.
8. Professional membership linked to certification where applicable.
9. Digital badges and registry status.
10. Partner-endorsed or jointly supported professional credentials where applicable.

This policy does not replace the Provider Accreditation Policy, Professional Certification Policy, Assessment Policy, Registry and Verification Policy, or Suspension, Withdrawal, and Revocation Policy.

5. CPD and Renewal Principles

ATU-CPAC| CPD and renewal shall be guided by the following principles.

5.1 Continuing Competence

Renewal shall confirm that the certified professional or approved person remains competent, current, and professionally active within the approved scope.

5.2 Evidence-Based Renewal

Renewal decisions shall be based on documented CPD evidence, professional practice evidence, ethical compliance, and scheme-specific requirements.

5.3 Relevance

CPD must be relevant to the certification title, level, specialization, professional role, or approved scope.

5.4 Integrity

CPD evidence must be authentic, accurate, and not misleading.

5.5 Transparency

Renewal requirements, CPD expectations, deadlines, fees, evidence rules, and registry consequences shall be clearly communicated.

5.6 Proportionality

CPD and renewal requirements shall be proportionate to certification level, risk, sector, professional responsibility, and scheme requirements.

5.7 Fairness

Certified professionals shall have fair access to renewal guidance, reasonable procedures, and appeal routes.

5.8 Public Trust

Expired, suspended, withdrawn, or revoked credentials shall not be presented as active.

6. CPD Requirements

Each professional certification scheme shall define its CPD requirements.

Unless a specific scheme states otherwise, ATU-CPAC may apply the following default CPD guidance:

The approved certification scheme may increase, reduce, or replace these requirements according to sector needs, partner requirements, risk, or Board-approved rules.

7. Recognized CPD Activities

CPD activities may include:

1. Professional training.
2. Workshops and seminars.
3. Conferences and forums.
4. Webinars and online courses.
5. Academic or professional study.
6. Workplace learning.
7. Professional practice reflection.
8. Research and publication.
9. Training delivery.
10. Assessment practice.
11. Quality assurance practice.
12. Mentoring or coaching.
13. Professional speaking.
14. Curriculum or program development.
15. Standards development.
16. Industry or employer engagement.
17. Professional reading with reflection.
18. Participation in ATU or ATU-CPAC committees.
19. Contribution to professional communities.
20. Partner-approved CPD activities.

CPD must be relevant to the credential, role, level, or specialization being renewed.

8. CPD Evidence

Certified professionals and approved persons must maintain CPD evidence.

Acceptable evidence may include:

1. Certificate of attendance.
2. Certificate of completion.
3. Assessment result.
4. Training record.
5. Attendance record.
6. Conference participation record.
7. Webinar confirmation.
8. Reflective learning log.
9. Work sample.
10. Published article or research evidence.
11. Presentation or speaking evidence.
12. Mentoring record.
13. Employer confirmation.
14. Professional practice record.
15. Portfolio of evidence.
16. Committee participation record.
17. Quality assurance report.
18. Peer or supervisor confirmation where appropriate.

ATU-CPAC may reject CPD evidence that is irrelevant, unclear, unverifiable, duplicated, misleading, or insufficient.

9. CPD Log

Certified professionals and approved persons should maintain a CPD log.

The CPD log should include:

1. Name of participant.
2. Certification title.
3. Certification number.
4. CPD activity title.
5. Date of activity.
6. Provider or organizer.
7. Number of CPD hours or equivalent value.
8. Learning outcomes.
9. Relevance to professional practice.
10. Evidence attached.
11. Reflection on impact or improvement.
12. Signature or declaration.

ATU-CPAC may require submission of the CPD log during renewal, audit, investigation, or quality assurance review.

10. Renewal Cycle

Each certification scheme shall define the validity and renewal cycle.

Unless a scheme states otherwise:

1. Professional certification is normally valid for two years.
2. Renewal should be submitted before expiry.
3. Renewal requires CPD evidence and continued compliance.
4. Late renewal may be accepted within a defined grace period.
5. Expired certifications may require reinstatement or reapplication.
6. High-risk or specialist certifications may require reassessment.
7. Partner-endorsed certifications may follow partner renewal rules.

The renewal date and expiry date shall be recorded in the official registry.

11. Renewal Requirements

Renewal may require:

1. Renewal application.
2. Updated personal and professional information.
3. CPD log and evidence.
4. Evidence of continued professional practice.
5. Professional conduct declaration.
6. Confirmation of no unresolved ethics, malpractice, or misconduct matter.
7. Updated membership status where applicable.
8. Payment of approved renewal fees where applicable.
9. Reassessment or interview where required.
10. Partner approval where applicable.
11. Registry and digital badge update.

Renewal is not automatic and must be approved according to ATU-CPAC requirements.

12. Professional Practice Evidence

Where required, renewal applicants must demonstrate continued professional practice.

Professional practice evidence may include:

1. Employment confirmation.
2. Consultancy record.
3. Training delivery record.
4. Assessment record.
5. Quality assurance record.
6. Project evidence.
7. Portfolio evidence.
8. Employer or client confirmation.
9. Professional service record.
10. Publications or professional outputs.
11. Sector contribution.
12. Reflective professional statement.

Professional practice evidence must relate to the scope of the certification being renewed.

13. Renewal Application Process

The normal renewal process includes:

1. Renewal reminder issued where applicable.
2. Renewal application submitted.
3. CPD evidence submitted.
4. Administrative screening completed.
5. CPD and practice evidence reviewed.
6. Ethics and conduct declaration reviewed.
7. Additional evidence requested where required.
8. Renewal decision made.
9. Certificate, digital badge, and registry updated where approved.
10. Applicant notified of outcome.

ATU-CPAC may request additional evidence before approving renewal.

14. Renewal Outcomes

ATU-CPAC may issue one of the following renewal outcomes:

1. Renewed
   The applicant meets renewal requirements.
2. Renewed with Conditions
   Renewal is approved subject to defined actions or limitations.
3. Deferred Pending Evidence
   Renewal decision is delayed until additional evidence is submitted.
4. Renewal Rejected
   The applicant does not meet renewal requirements.
5. Reassessment Required
   The applicant must complete assessment, interview, portfolio review, or other evidence-based review.
6. Expired
   The applicant did not renew before expiry or within the approved grace period.
7. Suspended
   Status is temporarily restricted due to unresolved compliance, ethics, CPD, or evidence concerns.
8. Withdrawn
   Status is ended due to non-renewal, voluntary withdrawal, or failure to maintain requirements.
9. Revoked
   Status is cancelled due to serious breach, fraud, falsified CPD evidence, misconduct, or misuse.

15. Grace Period and Late Renewal

ATU-CPAC may allow a grace period after expiry, subject to scheme rules.

During the grace period:

1. The credential may be shown as expired or pending renewal in the registry.
2. The holder must not claim active status unless ATU-CPAC permits conditional status.
3. The holder may be required to submit additional evidence.
4. Late fees may apply where approved.
5. Digital badge status may be paused or updated.
6. Certificate use may be restricted.

After the grace period, the person may be required to apply for reinstatement or complete a new certification process.

16. Reinstatement

A person whose certification has expired, been withdrawn, or been suspended may request reinstatement where permitted.

Reinstatement may require:

1. Reinstatement application.
2. CPD evidence.
3. Professional practice evidence.
4. Explanation for lapse or suspension.
5. Updated ethics declaration.
6. Corrective action evidence where applicable.
7. Reassessment where required.
8. Payment of approved fees where applicable.
9. Approval by the competent authority.

ATU-CPAC may approve reinstatement, approve with conditions, require reassessment, require reapplication, or reject reinstatement.

Revoked certification may be reinstated only in exceptional circumstances, normally after appeal, correction of error, or formal decision by the competent authority.

17. CPD Audit

ATU-CPAC may audit CPD records to confirm accuracy and compliance.

CPD audit may include review of:

1. CPD log.
2. Attendance certificates.
3. Completion certificates.
4. Professional practice evidence.
5. Reflective statements.
6. Employer confirmation.
7. Portfolio evidence.
8. Duplicate or repeated CPD activities.
9. Relevance to certification scope.
10. Authenticity of documents.

Selection for audit may be random, risk-based, complaint-based, or linked to renewal review.

18. Falsified or Misleading CPD Evidence

Submission of false, altered, misleading, duplicated, purchased, or irrelevant CPD evidence may lead to action.

Possible actions include:

1. Rejection of CPD evidence.
2. Request for additional evidence.
3. Renewal hold.
4. Renewal rejection.
5. Suspension.
6. Withdrawal.
7. Revocation.
8. Registry status update.
9. Ethics or malpractice investigation.
10. Referral to ATU leadership.

ATU-CPAC may verify CPD evidence directly with issuing organizations where required.

19. Registry and Digital Badge Updates

Renewal status shall be reflected in the official registry.

Registry status may include:

1. Active.
2. Conditional.
3. Pending renewal.
4. Expired.
5. Suspended.
6. Withdrawn.
7. Revoked.
8. Reinstated.
9. Under review.

Digital badges and QR verification records shall be updated according to the renewal outcome.

Expired, suspended, withdrawn, or revoked credentials must not be represented as active.

20. Membership Link

Where ATU membership is linked to certification, membership status shall follow ATU membership rules.

A candidate accepted into an approved professional certification pathway may receive student membership according to ATU-approved membership arrangements.

A certified professional may receive or renew professional membership according to the certification level, membership category, renewal period, and ATU membership rules.

Membership does not replace certification renewal requirements unless expressly approved by ATU-CPAC.

21. Non-Compliance with CPD and Renewal Requirements

Failure to comply with CPD and renewal requirements may result in:

1. Renewal delay.
2. Renewal rejection.
3. Additional evidence request.
4. Reassessment requirement.
5. Conditional renewal.
6. Expired registry status.
7. Suspension.
8. Withdrawal.
9. Revocation where false evidence or misconduct is confirmed.
10. Restriction on use of title, certificate, digital badge, or registry status.

Actions shall be proportionate to the seriousness, impact, evidence, recurrence, and risk.

22. Use of Certification Title During Renewal

Certified professionals may use their certification title only while the certification is active and within the approved scope.

They must not:

1. Use expired certification as active.
2. Use suspended, withdrawn, or revoked status.
3. Misrepresent renewal status.
4. Alter digital badges or verification records.
5. Claim renewal before approval.
6. Claim certification outside the approved scope.
7. Use post-nominals or titles not approved by the certification scheme.

ATU-CPAC may require correction, registry update, suspension, withdrawal, or revocation where title misuse occurs.

23. Partner CPD and Renewal Requirements

Where a certification is partner-endorsed or jointly supported, renewal may also be subject to partner requirements.

Partner requirements may include:

1. Specific CPD hours.
2. Approved CPD topics.
3. Reassessment.
4. Partner CPD platform.
5. Professional practice evidence.
6. Renewal reporting.
7. Digital badge update.
8. Partner registry update.
9. Partner review or audit.
10. Partner fees where applicable.

No partner renewal claim may be made unless approved by the relevant agreement.

24. Responsibilities of ATU-CPAC

ATU-CPAC shall:

1. Define CPD and renewal requirements.
2. Publish renewal guidance.
3. Review renewal applications fairly.
4. Maintain registry and digital badge updates.
5. Audit CPD evidence where required.
6. Investigate false or misleading renewal evidence.
7. Apply renewal outcomes consistently.
8. Protect the credibility of ATU-issued credentials.
9. Review CPD and renewal trends.
10. Improve certification schemes based on evidence.

25. Responsibilities of Certified Professionals

Certified professionals shall:

1. Maintain current professional competence.
2. Complete CPD requirements.
3. Maintain CPD records.
4. Submit renewal before expiry.
5. Provide authentic and accurate evidence.
6. Maintain ethical and professional conduct.
7. Use certification titles correctly.
8. Report changes affecting certification status.
9. Cooperate with CPD audit.
10. Stop using expired, suspended, withdrawn, or revoked credentials.

26. Responsibilities of Providers

Approved providers involved in CPD or renewal activities shall:

1. Deliver CPD activities within approved scope.
2. Issue accurate CPD evidence.
3. Maintain attendance and completion records.
4. Avoid misleading CPD claims.
5. Protect participant data.
6. Cooperate with ATU-CPAC audits.
7. Report suspected misuse of CPD evidence.
8. Use ATU and ATU-CPAC names only as authorized.

27. Complaints and Appeals

Applicants may submit complaints or appeals related to CPD or renewal decisions according to the ATU-CPAC Complaints and Appeals Policy.

Appeals may relate to:

1. Renewal rejection.
2. CPD evidence rejection.
3. Reassessment requirement.
4. Expired status.
5. Suspension.
6. Withdrawal.
7. Revocation.
8. Registry or badge status.

Appeals should be submitted within 15 days from notification of the decision unless another approved procedure applies.

Appeals shall be reviewed impartially by persons not involved in the original decision.

28. Records Management

ATU-CPAC shall maintain CPD and renewal records.

Records may include:

1. Renewal applications.
2. CPD logs.
3. CPD evidence.
4. Professional practice evidence.
5. Ethics declarations.
6. Renewal review notes.
7. CPD audit records.
8. Renewal decisions.
9. Registry updates.
10. Digital badge updates.
11. Reinstatement records.
12. Appeals records.
13. Investigation records.
14. Partner renewal records where applicable.

Records shall be retained according to ATU policy, ATU-CPAC requirements, applicable laws, and partner requirements where applicable.

29. Continuous Improvement

ATU-CPAC shall use CPD and renewal data to improve:

1. Certification schemes.
2. CPD guidance.
3. Renewal forms.
4. Professional development pathways.
5. Registry controls.
6. Digital badge systems.
7. Provider CPD quality.
8. Partner CPD arrangements.
9. Ethics and conduct monitoring.
10. Communication with certified professionals.

Trends shall be reviewed by the Certification and Assessment Committee and reported to the ATU-CPAC Governing Council where required.

30. Review of Policy

This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier where required due to:

1. ATU Board decision.
2. Legal or regulatory change.
3. ATU-CPAC standards update.
4. Certification scheme changes.
5. CPD or renewal trends.
6. Registry or digital badge incidents.
7. Ethics or malpractice cases.
8. Partner requirements.
9. Stakeholder feedback.
10. Operational need.

31. Definitions

Final Policy Statement

ATU-CPAC| CPD and Renewal Policy exists to ensure that certified professionals and approved persons maintain current competence, professional integrity, and continued eligibility under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

Through documented CPD, renewal review, registry updates, professional conduct declarations, audit, reinstatement controls, and continuous improvement, ATU-CPAC protects the credibility and ongoing value of ATU-issued professional certifications across Arab countries.