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PECB eLearning vs Self-Study: what each format includes

PECB publishes its own definition of each format and the CPD credits each one earns. Here they are side by side, in PECB's words, with every source linked.

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Last reviewed: 24 October 2026

Quick answer

PECB eLearning "is delivered by PECB Certified Trainers in pre-recorded video format", with quizzes and the official course materials on myPECB. PECB Self-Study is the course materials without the video lessons: PECB says "all that is needed is access to the PECB training course materials" and "Videos are only available for eLearning events, not standard training or Self-Study events." Under PECB's CPD Policy a five-day course earns 31 CPD credits as eLearning and 16 as Self-Study.

What each format includes, in PECB's words

Every row comes from PECB's own published pages. Where PECB does not list something for a format, the table says so.

PECB eLearning and PECB Self-Study compared, from PECB's published descriptions, exam rules and CPD Policy
Aspect PECB eLearning PECB Self-Study
Video lessons by PECB Certified Trainers Yes: PECB eLearning "is delivered by PECB Certified Trainers in pre-recorded video format". No: "Videos are only available for eLearning events, not standard training or Self-Study events."
Quizzes Yes: "Participants will take quizzes that will allow for interactivity". Not listed by PECB for Self-Study.
Official PECB course materials on myPECB Yes. Yes: "all that is needed is access to the PECB training course materials".
Exam voucher, retake and certification fee Both formats, when a PECB Partner delivers the course: the training fee includes the first exam attempt, one retake, the certification application fee and the first year of the Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF). Foundation certificates carry no maintenance fee.
CPD credits, two-day course 14 CPD credits 7 CPD credits
CPD credits, three-day course 21 CPD credits 11 CPD credits
CPD credits, five-day course 31 CPD credits 16 CPD credits
Who PECB says Self-Study suits PECB, on Self-Study: "This format is suitable for participants with considerable knowledge of the subject who do not require assisted lecturing."

Scroll the table sideways to see both formats.

Sources: PECB, Training Course Delivery Formats; PECB help centre, pre-recorded videos for eLearning events; PECB Exam Rules and Policies; PECB Certification Maintenance Policy; PECB CPD Policy (June 2026).

How to tell which format a course is

Three things on a course page tell you which PECB format you are buying.

  • The format name. PECB names these formats eLearning and Self-Study, so a course page should say PECB eLearning or PECB Self-Study.
  • Whether video lessons by PECB Certified Trainers are named. PECB eLearning "is delivered by PECB Certified Trainers in pre-recorded video format", and PECB says "Videos are only available for eLearning events, not standard training or Self-Study events." A page that names those video lessons is describing eLearning.
  • The CPD figure. PECB's CPD Policy gives a five-day course 31 CPD credits as eLearning and 16 as Self-Study, a three-day course 21 or 11, and a two-day course 14 or 7.

Every Mindset Cyber course page names its PECB format beside the price.

Which format Mindset Cyber sells

Mindset Cyber sells its ISO courses as PECB eLearning: Lead courses A$699 + GST (A$768.90 inc. GST), ISO 31000 Risk Manager A$409 + GST (A$449.90 inc. GST) and Foundations A$279 + GST (A$306.90 inc. GST), with the exam voucher and two attempts included. Stripe adds GST for Australian buyers and VAT for UK buyers at checkout.

Each of our PECB eLearning courses includes pre-recorded video lessons by PECB Certified Trainers, with quizzes and the official course materials on myPECB.

The 13 courses we sell as PECB eLearning, with the CPD credits PECB's CPD Policy gives each one:

Lead and Risk Manager prices include the PECB exam voucher, two exam attempts, the certification fee, the first year of PECB certification maintenance and 12 months of access.

Foundation prices include the PECB exam voucher, two exam attempts, the certification fee and 12 months of access. PECB Foundation certificates carry no maintenance fee.

Our other 7 PECB courses are sold as PECB Self-Study: Lead AI Risk Manager, Artificial Intelligence Manager (CAIM), Artificial Intelligence Professional (CAIP), EU AI Governance Professional, Artificial Intelligence Security Professional, Lead SOC 2 Manager and NIST Cybersecurity Lead Implementer.

After you buy, we enrol you on myPECB by hand within 24 hours. For prices in other currencies, see All PECB course and exam prices.

Mindset Cyber is a PECB Authorised Titanium Partner, PECB's highest partner level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PECB Self-Study include video lessons?

No. PECB says: "Videos are only available for eLearning events, not standard training or Self-Study events." For Self-Study, PECB says "all that is needed is access to the PECB training course materials". The video lessons belong to PECB eLearning, which PECB says "is delivered by PECB Certified Trainers in pre-recorded video format".

How many CPD credits does PECB eLearning give?

PECB's CPD Policy awards 14 CPD credits for a two-day training course or eLearning, 21 for a three-day course and 31 for a five-day course. Self-Study, which PECB describes as "the traditional study-on-your-own method where training materials are studied by the candidates themselves", earns 7, 11 and 16 CPD credits for courses of the same lengths.

Is the exam included in both formats?

Yes, when a PECB Partner delivers the course. PECB's exam rules say that for candidates who complete a training, eLearning or self-study course delivered by a PECB Partner, the training fee includes the first exam attempt, one retake, the certification application fee and the first year of the Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF). Foundation certificates carry no maintenance fee. Every Mindset Cyber course, PECB eLearning or PECB Self-Study, includes the PECB exam voucher and two attempts.

Related Resources

Find your PECB course

Every course page names its PECB format and what the price includes. Every course includes the PECB exam voucher and two attempts.

Browse PECB courses All PECB course and exam prices

★ 4.5/5 from 18 reviews on Trustpilot (October 2026) PECB Authorised Titanium Partner Exam voucher + 2 attempts included