Back to guides
Skills Development
7 min
NewHow to Use Your Training Account
Your training account is an often unexploited treasure. Thousands of euros are sitting in your account, which could fund your skill development. Yet many don't know their rights or how to use them effectively. This guide explains everything: how much you have, how to use it, and most importantly how to choose the right training.
1
Understand your CPF rights
The CPF (Personal Training Account) is a right acquired by every worker in France.
Who is concerned: • Private sector employees • Job seekers • Self-employed workers • Public servants (with specific rules)
How it works:
Account funding • €500/year for full-time (capped at €5000) • €800/year if low-qualified (capped at €8000) • Pro-rata for part-time >50% • Acquired rights are never lost
What it funds: • Certifying or qualifying training • Skills assessments • VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) • Driving license (B, C, D) • Business creation/takeover
Check your balance: 1. Go to moncompteformation.gouv.fr 2. Log in with FranceConnect 3. Your balance appears on the dashboard
Beware of scams: • Never any legitimate phone solicitation • Never share your social security number • Only use the official website
Who is concerned: • Private sector employees • Job seekers • Self-employed workers • Public servants (with specific rules)
How it works:
Account funding • €500/year for full-time (capped at €5000) • €800/year if low-qualified (capped at €8000) • Pro-rata for part-time >50% • Acquired rights are never lost
What it funds: • Certifying or qualifying training • Skills assessments • VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) • Driving license (B, C, D) • Business creation/takeover
Check your balance: 1. Go to moncompteformation.gouv.fr 2. Log in with FranceConnect 3. Your balance appears on the dashboard
Beware of scams: • Never any legitimate phone solicitation • Never share your social security number • Only use the official website
2
Choose the right training
Not all CPF training is equal. Here's how to make the right choice.
Selection criteria:
Professional relevance • Is this skill in demand in the market? • Will it help me in my professional project? • Is it recognized by recruiters?
Training quality • Qualiopi certified organization (mandatory) • Reviews from past participants • Certification pass rate • Support offered
Practical details • Format: in-person, remote, hybrid • Duration compatible with your schedule • Support and follow-up after training
Most requested training:
| Domain | Examples | Average budget | |--------|----------|----------------| | Languages | English, TOEIC, BULATS | €1500-3000 | | IT | Excel, office suite | €500-1500 | | Digital | Digital marketing, SEO | €1500-3000 | | Management | Leadership, project management | €2000-4000 | | Business creation | Business plan, accounting | €1000-2500 |
Tip: Prioritize recognized certifications (RNCP, RS) over in-house training.
Selection criteria:
Professional relevance • Is this skill in demand in the market? • Will it help me in my professional project? • Is it recognized by recruiters?
Training quality • Qualiopi certified organization (mandatory) • Reviews from past participants • Certification pass rate • Support offered
Practical details • Format: in-person, remote, hybrid • Duration compatible with your schedule • Support and follow-up after training
Most requested training:
| Domain | Examples | Average budget | |--------|----------|----------------| | Languages | English, TOEIC, BULATS | €1500-3000 | | IT | Excel, office suite | €500-1500 | | Digital | Digital marketing, SEO | €1500-3000 | | Management | Leadership, project management | €2000-4000 | | Business creation | Business plan, accounting | €1000-2500 |
Tip: Prioritize recognized certifications (RNCP, RS) over in-house training.
3
Steps to register
The process is simple but requires some verifications.
Step 1: Create your account • Go to moncompteformation.gouv.fr • Log in via FranceConnect (impots.gouv.fr, Ameli, etc.) • Verify your information is correct
Step 2: Search for training • Use filters: domain, location, format, price • Read the program carefully • Check prerequisites • Compare several similar offers
Step 3: Verify the organization • Qualiopi certification mandatory • Search for external reviews (Google, Trustpilot) • Contact the organization to ask your questions
Step 4: Register • Click "Register for this training" • Complete the registration file • Wait for organization validation (within 2 business days)
Step 5: Confirm and pay • Check the summary • Accept the conditions • Payment is automatic via your CPF
Deadlines to plan: • Registration: minimum 11 business days before start • If remaining balance: payment within 4 days • Free cancellation: up to 7 days before
Step 1: Create your account • Go to moncompteformation.gouv.fr • Log in via FranceConnect (impots.gouv.fr, Ameli, etc.) • Verify your information is correct
Step 2: Search for training • Use filters: domain, location, format, price • Read the program carefully • Check prerequisites • Compare several similar offers
Step 3: Verify the organization • Qualiopi certification mandatory • Search for external reviews (Google, Trustpilot) • Contact the organization to ask your questions
Step 4: Register • Click "Register for this training" • Complete the registration file • Wait for organization validation (within 2 business days)
Step 5: Confirm and pay • Check the summary • Accept the conditions • Payment is automatic via your CPF
Deadlines to plan: • Registration: minimum 11 business days before start • If remaining balance: payment within 4 days • Free cancellation: up to 7 days before
4
Optimize your CPF
Some tips to get the most out of your CPF.
Top up your CPF if insufficient:
Employer contribution • Ask your company to supplement • Many have coverage agreements • Especially for strategic training
Pôle Emploi contribution • If job seeker, Pôle Emploi can supplement • For training related to your return-to-work project
Personal contribution • You can pay the difference by credit card • Remaining balance = training price • CPF balance
Free or inexpensive training: • Certified MOOCs (Coursera, OpenClassrooms) • Some training is subsidized • Compare prices for the same certification
Usage strategy:
If you have few rights • Prioritize short, targeted training • Supplement with free MOOCs • Request a contribution
If you have many rights • Invest in long, recognized training • Aim for high market value certification • Don't let your money sit idle
Tax tip: CPF training is not taxable. It's a net benefit.
Top up your CPF if insufficient:
Employer contribution • Ask your company to supplement • Many have coverage agreements • Especially for strategic training
Pôle Emploi contribution • If job seeker, Pôle Emploi can supplement • For training related to your return-to-work project
Personal contribution • You can pay the difference by credit card • Remaining balance = training price • CPF balance
Free or inexpensive training: • Certified MOOCs (Coursera, OpenClassrooms) • Some training is subsidized • Compare prices for the same certification
Usage strategy:
If you have few rights • Prioritize short, targeted training • Supplement with free MOOCs • Request a contribution
If you have many rights • Invest in long, recognized training • Aim for high market value certification • Don't let your money sit idle
Tax tip: CPF training is not taxable. It's a net benefit.
5
Avoid pitfalls
The CPF unfortunately attracts scams. Protect yourself.
Common scams:
Phone solicitation • NEVER any legitimate call for CPF • Hang up immediately • Don't give any information
Fake training • Inflated prices for mediocre training • Unrecognized certifications • Ghost organizations
Identity theft • Theft of your FranceConnect credentials • Registration without your knowledge • Emptying your account
How to protect yourself:
Mandatory checks • Qualiopi certified organization • RNCP or RS certification • Verifiable online reviews • Legal existence (SIRET, address)
Best practices • Only use the official website • Never click on links received by SMS/email • Regularly change your FranceConnect password • Monitor your account regularly
In case of fraud: 1. Report on moncompteformation.gouv.fr 2. File a complaint 3. Contact the DGCCRF
Questions to ask before registering: • What is the certification pass rate? • How many hours of actual training? • What support after training? • Can I speak with former participants?
Common scams:
Phone solicitation • NEVER any legitimate call for CPF • Hang up immediately • Don't give any information
Fake training • Inflated prices for mediocre training • Unrecognized certifications • Ghost organizations
Identity theft • Theft of your FranceConnect credentials • Registration without your knowledge • Emptying your account
How to protect yourself:
Mandatory checks • Qualiopi certified organization • RNCP or RS certification • Verifiable online reviews • Legal existence (SIRET, address)
Best practices • Only use the official website • Never click on links received by SMS/email • Regularly change your FranceConnect password • Monitor your account regularly
In case of fraud: 1. Report on moncompteformation.gouv.fr 2. File a complaint 3. Contact the DGCCRF
Questions to ask before registering: • What is the certification pass rate? • How many hours of actual training? • What support after training? • Can I speak with former participants?
Conclusion
Your CPF is a precious right. Use it wisely to invest in your professional future. Don't let your money sit idle. Identify a skill to develop and find the right training. Start today: log into your account and check your balance. That's the first step.