In short:
- The CPF personal training account is credited with 500 euros per year of work, up to a cap of 5,000 euros.
- Funding is raised to 800 euros per year, capped at 8,000 euros, for certain groups.
- Training during working hours requires a request to the employer 60 or 120 days in advance.
- Rights are kept when changing employer or during a period of unemployment.
CPF personal training account: definition
The CPF personal training account (compte personnel de formation) accompanies each person from entry into working life until retirement. It is credited in euros and funds eligible training.
The rights are attached to the person. They are kept when changing employer or losing a job and cannot be transferred to a third party.
How the account is funded
| Employee’s situation | Annual amount | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Working half-time or more | 500 euros | 5,000 euros |
| Working less than half-time | Amount proportional to working time | 5,000 euros |
| Higher funding | 800 euros | 8,000 euros |
Who receives higher funding
- Employees who have not reached CAP or BEP qualification level.
- Employees recognised as disabled workers.
- Victims of a workplace accident or occupational disease with a permanent incapacity of at least 10%.
- Holders of a military disability pension.
- Holders of a mobility inclusion card marked invalidity.
Eligible training
The CPF funds in particular:
- training leading to a professional qualification or certification;
- validation of acquired experience;
- skills assessments;
- training for starting or taking over a business;
- certain driving licences.
Using the CPF
- Outside working hours: no agreement from the employer is required.
- During working hours: the employee asks for leave of absence at least 60 days before the training, or 120 days if it lasts 6 months or more.
- Financial contribution: a contribution is payable by the account holder, except where an exemption applies. Its amount is revised every year and must be checked on the official guide.
The CPF is one of the topics discussed during the career path review. Informing employees about their training rights is also part of the hiring formalities. Finally, the rights are kept after the contract ends, whichever route is chosen between mutual termination or resignation.
Checking the account and getting the employer’s answer
Where to check rights
Rights can be checked on the moncompteformation.gouv.fr website or on the Mon compte formation mobile application. A social security number is enough to create an account. Rights are displayed in euros.
The employer’s response time
When training takes place during working hours, the employer has 30 calendar days to give its answer to the request for leave of absence. No answer within that time counts as acceptance.
If the rights are not enough
When the amount in the account does not cover the cost of the training, additional funding can be requested, for example from the employer, Agefiph or the regional council.
The CPF replaced the individual right to training (DIF). It can still be used during a period of unemployment.
Frequently asked questions
How does the CPF personal training account work?
The personal training account (compte personnel de formation, CPF) is an account in euros that follows employees throughout their working life. It is credited with 500 euros per year of work, up to a cap of 5,000 euros, for an employee working at least half-time. It funds eligible training, and the rights are kept when changing employer or during unemployment.
Is the employer's agreement needed to use the CPF?
Outside working hours, no agreement is needed. For training during working hours, the employee asks the employer for leave of absence at least 60 days before the training starts, or 120 days if it lasts 6 months or more.
Who receives higher CPF funding?
Funding is raised to 800 euros per year, up to a cap of 8,000 euros, notably for low-qualified employees who have not reached CAP or BEP level and for employees with disabilities.
Sources
- Service-Public, Compte personnel de formation (CPF) d’un salarié du secteur privé, guide consulted on 4 October 2026.