The definitive list of activities that count as CPD - from courses and conferences to reading, mentoring and reflective practice.
CPD is much broader than courses. Most professional bodies accept any activity that develops your knowledge or skills - as long as you record it and reflect on it. Here are 100 that count, organised by type.
Formal learning
- Accredited online courses
- Classroom training days
- Qualifications and certificates
- Webinars (live or recorded)
- Conferences and seminars
- Workshops
- E-learning modules
- University or college modules
- Awarding body training
- Professional body events
Work-based learning
- Shadowing a colleague
- Being shadowed (explaining as you go is learning)
- Secondments and job rotations
- Stretch projects above your current level
- Covering a colleague's role
- Leading a meeting for the first time
- Dealing with a new type of case or client
- Implementing a new process
- Learning new software or equipment
- Taking on a new responsibility
Reading and research
- Industry journals and magazines
- Professional body guidance updates
- Books related to your field
- Research papers
- Government or regulator publications
- Newsletters and bulletins
- Blogs from credible industry sources
- White papers
- Case studies
- Technical manuals
Listening and watching
- Podcasts in your field
- Recorded conference talks
- Documentaries relevant to your work
- YouTube tutorials from credible sources
- Webinar recordings
- Online lectures
- Audiobooks on professional topics
- Panel discussions
- Expert interviews
- Training videos
Teaching and sharing
- Delivering a training session
- Writing guidance or procedures
- Mentoring a colleague
- Coaching sessions you deliver
- Presenting at a team meeting
- Running a lunch-and-learn
- Writing an article or blog post
- Creating training materials
- Supervising students or trainees
- Answering questions in professional forums
Being developed by others
- Being mentored
- Receiving coaching
- Supervision sessions
- Appraisal and review conversations
- Feedback sessions you act on
- Peer review of your work
- Action learning sets
- Professional networking events
- Community of practice meetings
- Peer discussion groups
Reflective practice
- Writing reflective accounts
- Reviewing a difficult case or project
- Analysing what went wrong (and right)
- Keeping a learning journal
- Reviewing feedback you have received
- Setting and reviewing development goals
- Updating your personal development plan
- Reviewing your CPD log itself
- Discussing practice with peers
- Self-assessment against professional standards
Voluntary and community
- Volunteering in a related role
- Trustee or committee work
- School governor or charity board duties
- Community projects using your skills
- Pro bono professional work
- Mentoring outside work
- Industry association involvement
- Judging or moderating
- Examining or assessing
- Standards-setting participation
Digital and self-directed
- Online quizzes and assessments
- Virtual reality or simulation training
- App-based learning
- Online discussion groups
- LinkedIn Learning or similar platforms
- Professional body e-learning hubs
- Virtual conferences
- Online networking events
- Web-based research projects
- Digital badges and micro-credentials
Events and visits
- Trade shows and exhibitions
- Site visits to other organisations
- Factory or facility tours
- Museum or gallery visits relevant to your work
- Careers and industry events
- Award ceremonies and showcases
- Product demonstrations
- Open days at partner organisations
- Study tours
- Professional body branch meetings
The rule that makes them count
Any of these counts when you can answer: what did I do, what did I learn, and what changed? Log it with those three answers and it is CPD.
Related reading
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