Definition of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The SMTO defines CPD ‘as a range of learning activities through which professionals grow and develop throughout their careers to ensure that they retain their capacity to practise safely, effectively and legally within their evolving scope of practice.’ Learning activities include anything that can advance a Member’s professional competence (see Appendix C: FAQs Q3&4).
SMTO Standards for CPD
Our standards dictate that Members must:
1. maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities
2. demonstrate that their CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice
3. seek to ensure that their CPD has contributed to the quality of their practice
4. seek to ensure that their CPD benefits their clients
5. complete a minimum of 18 hours of CPD per annum, and then confirm this as part of the renewal process each year
6. be able, on request by the SMTO, to submit evidence of how they have met these CPD standards
N.B. CPD is a compulsory component of SMTO membership, and all Members are required to complete a minimum of 18 hours per annum. However, practical hours can be carried forward for up to three (3) years i.e. so if 100 practical hours were completed in 2013 those CPD hours can be used for renewing in 2013, 2014 & 2015, thereafter any unused hours will expire.
You can find more details by downloading the SMTP CPD Policy here
CPD Log Sheet
The CPD log sheet provides space for recording:
• the number of hours
• types of activities
• the learning you have gained from each activity
• your reflection on the learning
• how you plan to put this into practice in your work
A downloadable template ‘log sheet’ can be found here