The CPD Participant Policy sets out the formal policy principles that apply to medical practitioners participating in the CPD Program. This policy provides the governance framework for CPD participation and compliance. The policy supports clear expectations for CPD Participants and explains how the RACP CPD Program aligns with registration and recertification requirements in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Purpose of the CPD participation policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish the requirements for participation in the RACP CPD Program and support consistent application of CPD obligations.

The policy is intended to:

• clarify CPD Participant obligations
• support transparency, fairness and consistency
• promote meaningful engagement with CPD
• support accountability and compliance
• provide assurance to regulators and the community that CPD obligations are being met

What the policy covers

At a high level, the CPD Participation Policy addresses:

• participation in the RACP CPD Program
• eligibility and participant groups
• annual CPD Program requirements
• CAPE Program Level Requirements and CPD Categories
• MyCPD recording requirements
• program fees and access to the CPD Program
• dual Fellows and recognition of alternative CPD programs
• exemptions and variations
• compliance, audit and regulatory reporting
• roles and responsibilities
• further training and remediation support

Operational detail is addressed through supporting frameworks, tools, guidance and related CPD Program policies.

Participation principles

The CPD Participation Policy is informed by principles that include:

• professional responsibility for ongoing development
• relevance to scope of practice
• fairness and consistency
• transparency of expectations
• accountability for meeting CPD requirements
• alignment with regulatory and accreditation requirements

These principles guide how CPD participation requirements are applied.

Roles and responsibilities

At a policy level, the CPD Participation Policy outlines:

• CPD Participant responsibilities in meeting annual CPD requirements
• expectations for accurate recording and evidence in MyCPD
• the RACP’s role in administering and supporting the CPD Program
• the RACP’s role in audit, compliance monitoring and regulatory reporting
• responsibilities related to privacy, records and participant information

Detailed guidance is provided through participant-facing sections of the CPD Program website and the MyCPD Handbook.

Relationship to other CPD Program policies

This policy operates alongside other CPD Program policies and guidance, including:

• CPD Audit Policy
• CPD Exemption and Variation Policy
• RACP Complaints Management Policy
• RACP Re-entry into Practice and Remediation Support Guidelines

Together, these documents support a consistent framework for participation, compliance, support and quality assurance within the RACP CPD Program.

Governance and review

The CPD Participation Policy is monitored and evaluated by the CPD Team and reviewed every three years, or sooner if legislative changes or other amendments require.

The policy may be updated to reflect changes to CPD requirements, regulatory standards or CPD Program design.

Using this policy

This page provides a summary of the CPD Participant Policy.

For practical guidance, refer to:

• CAPE Program-Level Requirements
• CPD Categories
• Recognition of CPD Activities
• Templates, Tools and Supporting Resources

Where there is any difference between this summary and the formal policy document, the formal policy document takes precedence.

Related policy document

You may wish to refer to:

CPD Participation Policy (PDF), which supports the RACP CPD Program and the CPD Recognition and Assessment Framework.