CPD rules vary widely between professions. A plain-English guide to what social workers, nurses, teachers, accountants and others are expected to record - and what counts.
Ask three professionals what CPD they have to do and you will get three different answers. Some have fixed hours, some have points, some have no number at all - just an expectation that you can show you stayed up to date. This guide sets out the essentials for the professions we hear from most, so you can check your own position.
Social workers
There is no fixed hours target. Instead, you must record CPD on the Social Work England online portal before renewing your registration each year, with the renewal window closing on 30 November. You need at least one piece of CPD recorded, and at least one of your records must include peer reflection - a discussion with another professional about what you learned. Social Work England audits a sample of registrants each year, so records need to be genuine and reflective, not a list of courses.
Nurses and midwives (NMC)
Revalidation happens every three years. You need 35 hours of CPD, of which at least 20 must be participatory - learning with others, such as courses, workshops or supervised practice. You also need five pieces of practice-related feedback, five written reflective accounts, and a reflective discussion with another NMC registrant. The CPD must link to the Code.
Teachers
There is no statutory CPD hours requirement for teachers in England, but appraisals, the Teachers' Standards and (in FE) the ETF Professional Standards all expect evidence of ongoing development. Many schools and colleges set their own expectations, and a well-kept CPD log makes appraisal conversations far easier.
Accountants
Requirements depend on your body. ICAEW and ACCA both use a combination of verifiable and non-verifiable CPD, with ACCA members typically completing 40 units a year (21 verifiable) unless on a different route. Ethics CPD is expected as part of the mix. Keep evidence - certificates, notes, reflections - because bodies do sample members' records.
Healthcare professions (HCPC and others)
HCPC-registered professionals - paramedics, physiotherapists, radiographers and others - must keep a continuous, up-to-date CPD record and be able to show it meets the HCPC standards: a varied mix of activities, and learning that has benefited your service users. There is no set hours figure; quality and relevance matter more than volume.
The common thread
Whatever your regulator, three things hold everywhere:
- Variety counts. Courses alone rarely satisfy anyone. Reading, supervision, peer discussion, mentoring and learning from incidents all belong in your record.
- Reflection is the evidence. Regulators want to see what changed in your practice, not just what you attended.
- Little and often beats a November panic. A short entry every week or two is easier and more credible than reconstructing a year in one evening.
A free CPD log that lets you record any activity, reflect on it and export the lot when your regulator asks takes most of the stress out of this.
Frequently asked questions
- How many CPD hours do social workers need?
- Social Work England sets no hours target. You must record CPD on their portal before renewing by 30 November each year, and at least one record must include peer reflection.
- How many CPD hours do nurses need for revalidation?
- 35 hours over the three-year period, of which at least 20 must be participatory learning with other people.
- Do teachers have a CPD hours requirement?
- No statutory hours requirement in England, but appraisals and professional standards expect evidence of ongoing development, and many employers set their own expectations.
- What happens if I do not complete my CPD?
- It depends on the regulator. Some audit a sample and can remove registration if records are inadequate; others treat it as an appraisal issue. Either way, an empty record is a risk not worth taking.
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