Understanding CPD requirements for doctors: a practical guide

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career advice

What are the CPD requirements for doctors in Australia?

Under current Medical Board of Australia (MBA) standards for continuing professional development (CPD), all registered doctors must belong to an accredited CPD home and complete at least 50 CPD hours each year across three categories.

The changes were introduced in 2023 to “build in structured support that links individual doctor's CPD choices to their particular practice and learning needs,” an MBA spokesperson told InSight+.

The 50 annual CPD hours explained

To meet the mandatory CPD requirements, you need to complete:

• 25 hours of reviewing performance and measuring outcomes activities (at least five hours of each);
• 12.5 hours of educational activities; and
• 12.5 hours free choice of activities.

These requirements are based on an evidence review confirming that CPD that includes measuring outcomes and reviewing performance activities “improves practitioner performance and patient health outcomes,” the spokesperson says. 

Within these hours, “doctors also need to include program-level requirements in culturally safe practice, addressing health inequities, professionalism, and ethical practice (CAPE requirements), as well as any specialist high-level requirements.”

Examples of CPD activities 

Educational activities (EA)

These help ensure your knowledge is up to date, the spokesperson explains. Examples include:

• conferences, workshops and webinars;
• self-directed learning (eg journal reading);
• online learning modules; and
• college education programs.

Reviewing performance (RP)

These activities provide feedback on your professional practice, and include:

• peer review meetings;
• patient experience surveys;
• workplace performance appraisals; and
• observation of your practice by a colleague.

Measuring outcomes (MO)

These involve evaluating the results of clinical care. Examples include:

• clinical audit projects;
• morbidity and mortality meetings;
• incident report analyses; and
• quality improvement initiatives.

Choosing your CPD home

CPD homes are accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to provide CPD programs that meet the Medical Board's registration standard. 

At your chosen CPD home, you can:

• record your professional development plan;
• document your CPD activities;
• access educational resources and support; and
• report your CPD compliance to the Medical Board.

There are currently 23 homes with AMC accreditation in Australia.

CPD tracking and documentation

Writing your professional development plan (PDP)

This is now a core part of CPD compliance. According to the Medical Board spokesperson, a PDP should help you:

• identify knowledge or skills gaps;
• plan meaningful educational activities;
• connect your learning with clinical practice; and
• reflect on your progress throughout the year.

“CPD homes can help doctors develop their individual CPD plans, and many have examples to guide their members,” they say. “Many CPD homes have catalogues of CPD activities that members can access, and all can provide support.”

Recording CPD activities through the year

CPD homes also have platforms for CPD tracking, and most doctors find it easier to log activities as they go, although this is not mandatory, the MBA spokesperson notes.

“The CPD must be completed within the calendar year (1 January to 31 December), however CPD homes allow activities to be logged in the early months of the following year. Each CPD home has different cut-off dates, so doctors should confirm the deadline for logging their CPD activities with their CPD home.”

Useful evidence for a CPD audit can include:

• certificates of attendance;
• learning reflections;
• meeting records;
• peer review documentation; and
• quality improvement project records.

How CPD compliance is assessed

Your CPD home will review the activities you’ve recorded and report compliance to the Medical Board. You must also declare whether you’ve met Ahpra CPD obligations on registrationrenewal.

Compliance assessment generally considers whether you have:

• completed 50 hours of CPD;
• met minimum requirements across activity categories;
• completed a PDP;
• fulfilled CAPE requirements; and
• met any specialist-specific requirements.

What to do if you’ve fallen short of your CPD requirements?

"Towards the end of the calendar year, if a doctor is worried they may not meet the requirements, they should talk to their CPD home about CPD activities that will help them close any gaps," the spokesperson says.

“If a doctor has not met the requirements by the end of the calendar year, they will be reported as not compliant and they need to declare they did not meet the CPD registration standard when they renew their registration in the following August/September.”

“The individual doctor will be asked to provide details of what they have completed and reasons why they did not meet the requirements. Ahpra works with doctors to help them meet the previous requirements, as well as not falling behind on the current year’s CPD.”

Repeated failure to comply may result in regulatory action, they add.

Annual CPD planning checklist

□ Check your CPD home membership is current

□ Create your professional development plan

□ Schedule educational activities throughout the year

□ Plan reviewing performance activities early

□ Include at least one measuring outcomes project

□ Complete CAPE requirements

□ Record activities as you do them

□ Check your progress quarterly

□ Confirm your chosen CPD home when you renew your registration

□ Review your CPD record before the end of the calendar year

FAQs

What counts toward CPD and what does not?

CPD includes educational, reviewing performance, and measuring outcomes activities. Routine clinical work and activities that cannot be linked to professional development generally do not count.

How many CPD hours do I need each year, and how are they split?

You must complete 50 hours of CPD annually, including at least 12.5 hours of educational activities and 25 hours of reviewing performance/measuring outcomes (minimum five of each). You can allocate the remaining hours as desired.

Which CPD home should I choose for my specialty?

Most doctors choose their specialist college's CPD program. If you don’t belong to a college, you can join an accredited non-college CPD home.

How do I track and document my CPD activities?

Most CPD homes have an online portal where you can record activities, upload evidence, and monitor your progress. 

What happens if I do not meet my CPD requirements?

You must declare non-compliance during registration renewal. Ahpra may request further information and work with you to resolve the shortfall. Repeated non-compliance may lead to regulatory action.

Can I claim online courses for CPD hours?

Yes. You can claim many online activities provided they meet your CPD home's requirements and are appropriately documented.

Do all doctors need a CPD home?

Yes. Since 2023, all registered medical practitioners must belong to an accredited CPD home.

What are CAPE requirements?

CAPE stands for culturally safe practice, addressing health inequities, professionalism, and ethical practice. These topics must be included in your CPD program.

Are there any exemptions to CPD requirements?

Yes. For example, interns and doctors in some PGY2 training programs don’t need to do Medical Board CPD. Your CPD home may grant an exemption if you won’t be practising for six to 12 months under certain circumstances (eg, serious illness).