Healthcare practitioners have a responsibility to continually update their professional knowledge and skills for the end benefit of the patient or client. To this end the HPCSA has implemented a Continuing Professional Development programme.
Practitioners are required to accumulate Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per twelve-month period; including the ethics, human rights and medical law.
Each CEU will be valid for 24 months from the date on which the activity took place (or ended, in the event of post-graduate studies) after which it would lapse. This means that practitioners should aim to accumulate a balance of 60 CEUs by the end of their second year of practise, and thereafter top-up the balance through additional CPD as each 24 –month validity period expires.
Mandatory random audits are conducted to ensure compliancy. Once a practitioner’s name has been selected, they are required to submit a CPD portfolio to Council within 21 days. Non-compliant practitioners will be given six months in order to comply. After the period of 6 months a practitioner will again be audited and if there is still non-compliance, the Professional Board will consider appropriate action. Practitioners are only required to submit their CPD portfolios when their names are drawn from a random sample audit and when requested to submit their completed form CPD 1 IAR with accompanying proof of CPD activities undertaken.
Guidelines
| CPD Guidelines | View document |
Frequently Asked Questions
| CPD FAQ’s | View document |
Accreditors
| Application for recognition as an Accreditor – Form 4 | View document |
| Approved Accreditation Fees | View document |
| Criteria guidelines for accreditors | View document |
CPD FORMS
| For Practitioners | |
|---|---|
| CPD Manual | View document |
| Health Practitioner’s Individual CPD Activity Record | Form CPD 1 |
| Feedback Form – Evaluation of HPCSA CPD Accredited Activity | Form CPD 7 |
| Application for Recognition as an Accreditor of CPD Activities | Form CPD 4 |
| For Accreditors/Accredited CPService Providers | |
|---|---|
| Application for Approval of CPD Activities | Form CPD 2A |
| Application by Institutions or Associations for Accredited Service Provider Status | Form CPD 2 |
| Certificate of CPD Attendance | Form CPD 3 |
| Annual Report | Form |
| Professional Boards | |
|---|---|
| Process Flow: New Application and Re-application for Accreditor Status | Form CPD 8 |
| Checklist for Accreditors & Accredited Service Providers | Form CPD 11 |
Service Providers
| Activity Programme and Presenter CV’s – Form CPD 2-A | View document |
| Application as an accredited Service Provider – Form CPD 2 | View document |
| Attendance Certificate – Form CPD 3 | View document |
| Criteria and Guidelines for Service Providers | View document |
Approved Accreditors
| Professional Boards | |
| Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy & Oral Hygiene | View document |
| Dietetics and Nutrition | View document |
| Emergency Care | View document |
| Environmental Health | View document |
| Medical, Dental and Medical Science | View document |
| Medical Technology | View document |
| Occupational Therapy & Medical Orthotics, Prosthetics and Arts Therapy | View document |
| Optometry & Dispensing Opticians | View document |
| Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics | View document |
| Psychology | View document |
| Radiography & Clinical Technology | View document |
| Speech, Language and Hearing | View document |
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Khan Academy:
Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
-
Best Free Online Courses : FutureLearn:
FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Alison:
Alison offers a wide range of free online courses, including diploma and certificate programs, covering various subjects.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Open Yale Courses:
Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.
-
Best Free Online Courses : UC Berkeley Online:
UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Google Digital Garage:
Google Digital Garage provides free courses on digital skills, including online marketing, data analysis, and more.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Codecademy:
Codecademy offers free coding courses, interactive exercises, and coding projects to help individuals learn programming languages.
-
Best Free Online Courses : LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com):
LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.
Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.