Renewing your registration with Ahpra – navigating CPD declarations in the new portal

This year’s registration renewal will look a little different, with an extra twist: Ahpra has launched its new practitioner portal.

For most, the new system is straightforward once you’re set up. There may, however, be some confusion, particularly for trainees, around Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In this article, we want to help you understand what to expect and how to navigate the CPD questions so you can renew smoothly.

The new Ahpra portal

When you log into the new portal, you’ll notice a few changes:

Two-factor authentication is required to access your account. If you haven’t already set this up, you’ll need to do so before you can begin your renewal.

Ahpra has provided step-by-step instructions on their website.

You can also watch a video on their renewal information page which talks you through the process.

If you are having trouble logging in, troubleshooting information is available on the Ahpra website.

Once logged in, you’ll see a renewal task alert. Following the prompts will take you through your renewal. Here you will find new CPD questions to be answered. These questions refer to your CPD undertaken in the 2024 calendar year.

For those accessing the Ahpra portal via a workplace network: Please be advised that the new portal has been optimised for best use with a desktop or laptop computer. Ahpra has advised that for people undertaking this activity via a work computer, there may be delays in page loading times due to employer IT security settings. Should you be blocked from accessing Ahpra via your workplace network, you may be able to ask your employer to make this a safe and trusted address. The portal address is: https://portal.ahpra.gov.au/s

The CPD Home question

All practitioners – whether you’re a trainee, a Fellow, or a registered specialist working towards a second specialty – will be asked to nominate a CPD Home. At this point, you should select RACP, as well as any other CPD Homes you were a member of in 2024.

This is where confusion can happen. In previous years, many trainees assumed they were “CPD exempt” because their training program satisfies the Medical Board’s CPD standard. However, in the new portal, clicking “I am CPD exempt” will now automatically trigger a request for you to upload evidence of exemption.

For most RACP trainees, no such certificate exists. That’s because you are not exempt from CPD; rather, your training program itself is recognised as meeting your CPD requirements.

The CPD compliance declaration

The next step in the renewal process is the compliance declaration. This is where you confirm whether or not you have met the Medical Board’s CPD registration standard for the 2024 calendar year.

You’ll be prompted to answer the question ‘Have you complied with the Board’s CPD registration standard for 2024?’.

You’ll have the option to click on ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘I was exempt’.

Your MyCPD dashboard will show if you were compliant in 2024, so use that information to answer the question.

If you are in an accredited RACP training program, you should select that you have complied, as your training program itself meets the CPD standard.

If your training was interrupted for more than six months in 2024, it won’t meet the CPD standard. We recommend getting in touch with the Training and CPD teams for advice, as you may have been eligible for a CPD exemption if your interruption was due to parental, sick or carer’s leave.

If you are a Fellow who has been granted an exemption, or a trainee in interrupted training who has received an exemption, you should declare that you are CPD exempt and may be asked to provide a supporting letter. If you’re unsure, please contact us before you submit your renewal.

Why accuracy matters

When you submit your declaration, Ahpra, on behalf of the Medical Board of Australia, cross-checks your answer with information provided by CPD homes, like the RACP. If you declare that you are exempt without evidence, or if you declare that you have complied but your CPD home reports otherwise, Ahpra may follow up directly with you.

In some cases that might be deemed concerning by the Board, this can result in additional CPD requirements or conditions being placed on your registration. Being clear and accurate from the outset helps avoid unnecessary stress later.

We’re here to help

We know this is a new process. We’re here to help. As more information becomes available, we’ll endeavour to communicate updates with our trainees and Fellows. In the meantime, if you’re unsure what to select or need help understanding your situation, please get in touch with the CPD Team.

Email: MyCPD@racp.edu.au

Phone: 1300 697 227 (Australia) | 0508 697 227 (Aotearoa NZ)