FAQs for Psychology Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in psychology refers to the ongoing process of learning and developing professional skills and knowledge beyond initial qualifications. It helps psychologists stay updated with the latest research, techniques, and best practices in their field.

CPD is essential for psychologists because it ensures they stay competent, relevant, and effective in their practice. It helps them provide the best possible care for their clients, remain current with advancements in psychology, and maintain their professional standards. In South Africa our Health Professions Council (HPCSA) requires practitioners to obtain CPD points annually in order to stay registered.

CPD activities can include attending workshops, seminars, conferences, and webinars; participating in peer supervision or case consultations; conducting research; publishing papers; taking advanced courses; engaging in self-directed learning, and more.

CPD requirements vary depending on the professional body and country. For instance, in some countries, psychologists may need to complete a specific number of CPD hours annually, typically ranging from 10 to 40 hours.  South African psychologists require 30 points per year (including a minimum of 5 ethic points).  The HPCSA now require practitioners to have 60 active points (including a minimum of 10 ethic points) at any given point in time which implies that practitioners need to be compliant for 2 years at all times.

Yes, many CPD activities are available online, such as webinars, e-learning courses, and virtual conferences. These digital options offer flexibility and convenience for psychologists to earn CPD credits remotely and in their own time.

Again, this depends on the guidelines of the professional body. Some may allow carrying forward a limited number of excess CPD hours into the following year, while others may require you to start fresh each year.  The HPCSA guidelines state that you points have a 2 year “shelf-life” which implies that points can be carried over to the next year.  If, for example you require 30 points for 2023, but you completed 40 points in total, 10 of your points can be carried over and used towards your 2024 points.

First and foremost, in South Africa our Health Professions Council (HPCSA) requires practitioners to obtain CPD points annually in order to stay registered.  CPD can also significantly enhance your career by demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. It can open up opportunities for advancement, specialization, and recognition within the field.

While the core principles of CPD apply to all psychologists, there may be specific courses or recommended activities tailored to different specializations within psychology. According to the HPCSA practitioners may obtain their units within their own discipline, speciality or sub-speciality or within another relevant discipline, speciality or sub-speciality that is relevant to their own professional practice. The HPCSA also accredits our courses for all categories of psychology registration, so you can do any of the courses to obtain your points (some topics may just be of less interest to you). If a CPD activity has been accredited by an Accreditor for a specific professional board, all health care professionals may attend that activity if it is relevant to their specific scope of practice. Health practitioners will therefore not need to apply for that activity to be re-accredited by their own professional board in order to claim the CEUs accrued for attending that activity.

Health practitioners who are registered in two different professions or categories must meet the requirements of the boards that are applicable. Health practitioners registered in more than one category within the same professional board should only need to meet requirements for one category.

Yes, in many cases, teaching or mentoring other psychologists can count as CPD. Sharing knowledge and expertise with peers contributes to your professional development and may earn you CPD credits.

If you find yourself falling short of the required CPD hours for a particular year, the HPCSA does allow you to make up the points in the current year.  If, for example, you only acquired 10 points in 2023, you can do an additional 20 points in 2024 in order to make up the shortfall for 2023.  You will then have to do 50 points in 2024 to get up to date. The HPCSA will accept these points.  Providers are not allowed to give you access to their courses of a previous year as the courses are HPCSA accredit per year and the points will then no longer be valid.

New HPCSA regulations state that providers now submit points on behalf of practitioners.   Once submitted from a provider’s side, the HPCSA will confirm the upload with you via automated message.  Providers have now also been requested to no longer issue certificates as this leads to confusion / double submissions.