CPD (Continuous Professional Development)
CPD is the ongoing process of maintaining and developing professional knowledge and skills throughout your career.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is the deliberate maintenance and expansion of your professional capabilities over time. It encompasses all learning activities—formal and informal—that help you develop professionally.
For some professions, CPD is mandatory. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, and teachers must complete specified CPD hours to maintain their professional registration. Even where not mandatory, CPD demonstrates commitment to excellence and keeps skills current.
CPD activities include courses, conferences, workshops, reading, mentoring, research, and reflective practice. Many professionals keep a CPD log documenting activities, what they learned, and how they've applied new knowledge.
Key Points
- Ongoing learning throughout your career
- Mandatory for many regulated professions
- Includes formal training, conferences, self-study, and reflection
- Often requires documentation and logging of activities
- Demonstrates professional commitment to current and future employers
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I record CPD activities?
Keep a log noting the date, activity, time spent, learning outcomes, and how you've applied the learning. Many professional bodies provide CPD tracking templates or online portals.
What counts as CPD?
Formal courses and conferences count, but so do reading professional literature, attending webinars, mentoring others, on-the-job learning, and reflective practice. It's about active professional development.