Continuing Professional Development
Undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as part of lifelong learning is essential to being a professional. Creation of a competent, innovative, forward-looking profession as well as the individual is attained by proactive and targeted learning.
What is the requirement for members?
How much learning a member needs to undertake depends on individual circumstances to enable them to do their work competently. The outcome of the learning is as important as the number of hours spent on it. However, the Institute expects all practising Fellows and Professional Members to undertake a minimum of 100 hours of CPD in every three year period. As CPD is continuous, this should normally equate to around 33 hours each year.
What qualifies as CPD?
Different activities and methods will suit different learning styles and different objectives but should be driven by the reasons you identify for undertaking the learning in the first place. For example do you need to remain competent for the benefit of your clients or employer? Do you need to gain knowledge to move into a new area of business? To keep abreast of new advances in technology?
CPD can take different forms, such as:
- professional work-based activities
- personal and informal learning
- courses, seminars and conferences
- voluntary or charity work
How do I keep a record of my CPD?
All practicing Chartered members are required to maintain a record of their learning activities. A simple way to do this is by using the online system in the Members’ Area. This is quick and easy to use but if you prefer you can record your records how you chose in a way that clearly demonstrates your obligation to lifelong learning.
All records will be monitored annually by the Professional & Educational Standards Committee.
Further details can be found on our CPD Information Note.
