what are cpd points

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development, which is the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience that professionals gain both formally and informally throughout their careers. CPD points are a way of measuring the time and quality of learning and development activities. Most professional bodies use CPD hours as their measure, and where CPD points or credits are used, these are typically a 1:1 ratio with CPD hours. CPD points are a measure of the educational value of an activity, while CPD hours are the actual amount of time spent participating in an activity. During a three-year certification period, certificants can earn CPD points for working in the field, training, and other activities. Accredited CPD training means the learning activity has reached the required Continuing Professional Development standards and benchmarks. The CPD process helps professionals manage their own development on an ongoing basis, and it involves both formal and informal learning. CPD may be a requirement of membership of a professional body, and it can help professionals reflect, review, and document their learning and to develop and update their professional knowledge and skills.