A Quarterly CPD Review That Makes Annual Renewal Easier

An annual renewal is easier to prepare when learning records are reviewed during the year. A quarterly review is a practical organisational habit, not an additional ICPHAA requirement stated by this article. Use the review to check progress against the actual criteria and to make sure your records explain the learning you have completed.

Check the applicable period and criteria

Confirm the dates your renewal covers and the current CPD requirements. Record where you found the information. Avoid assuming that the calendar year, your employment year and your membership year are identical.

Review any category or evidence rules before adding totals. If different types of activity are treated differently, preserve those distinctions. Ask about an unclear activity while there is still time to obtain supporting information.

Reconcile the record with the evidence

Compare your activity list with certificates, attendance confirmations and reflective notes. Check dates, titles and duration. A missing certificate is easier to request soon after an event than months later when the organiser's records may be harder to locate.

Look for duplicate entries or repeated claims for the same activity. Keep the record accurate even if the total is lower than you expected. The purpose of a review is to reveal the real position so that you can plan appropriately.

Review the learning, not only the total

Ask which activities addressed your priorities and which left questions unresolved. Look for learning you intended to apply but have not yet revisited. A short follow-up action may be more valuable than immediately booking another unrelated workshop.

Consider changes in your work since the plan was written. A new role or responsibility can alter what you need to learn next. Update the plan with a brief explanation so that the record reflects professional reasoning.

Plan the next quarter

Choose a small number of priorities and identify suitable activities. Allow time for completion evidence and reflection before the renewal deadline. Do not leave every gap to be resolved through last-minute attendance.

Keep a simple status for each item: complete, evidence outstanding or planned. This makes it clear which activities can currently support the renewal and which cannot yet be relied on.

Frequently asked questions

Is quarterly review mandatory?

This article suggests it as an organisational routine. Follow the review and submission requirements actually set by your professional body or employer.

What if I find a shortfall near renewal?

Check the current process and contact the relevant organisation promptly. Do not invent activity or assume an extension is available.

Refer to ICPHAA membership information, Standards & Ethics and Contact for the current Association arrangements.