This is your personal record, and you can keep it in whatever way is most convenient for you.
We will not ask to see a complete copy of your personal record, but if you were audited, we would ask you to give us details of the activities you have completed over the previous two years and send us some supporting evidence. So keeping a good record will mean that you can do this easily.
What format should I use to record my CPD?
There is no necessary format for recording your CPD, although some professional bodies and employers do have recommendations.
You might choose to keep a binder or folder including documents – such as certificates and notes – relating to your CPD, or you might keep this record electronically. You might follow a format provided by your professional body or by your employer.
There are online tools available, registrants can use them, but we do not endorse any and they don’t guarantee ‘success’ in our audits.
However, please make sure that you will always have access to your record so that you can submit it: storing it at your employer's workplace, for example, is risky as you may change employment.
Recording little and often
It might often feel difficult to record CPD, on top of carrying it out. But a few simple changes make a big difference.
Thinking about it differently, you might find you are undertaking CPD multiple times a day without realising it. These instances can be recorded little and often, without needing to set aside chunks of time, and can become second nature.
Recording activities in this way should make your CPD workload much more manageable, and can inform your work going forward.
Reflecting on your scope of practice
You may find it helpful to reflect on your scope of practice and how your chosen CPD activities align with your practice and the needs of your service users. There are resources to support you to complete a professional narrative including career / professional development frameworks from many of the professional bodies, which can be found on their websites. We also have a template to help you define and demonstrate your scope of practice at advanced levels of practice.
You can use our sample CPD profiles and guidance on putting your profile together as a starting point to support you in completing your CPD profile.
Do I submit my record for audit?
If you are selected for audit, we will be interested in the CPD you have done over the previous two years (the length of your registration cycle).
We will not ask to see a complete copy of your record. Instead, we ask you to give us details of the activities you have completed over the previous two years and to send us some supporting evidence.
If you have kept a good record, you will be able to do this easily.
