How to Define and Report CPD
Continuing professional development (CPD) are activities members undertake to demonstrate they are current in their declared scope of practice. The reason members report CPD annually is to verify their competence as a practicing professional and to document that they are scientifically up-to-date in a rapidly changing industry. Keeping current on CPD hours is a legal requirement under The Agrologists Act for members benefit and protection.
The Institute does not pre-determine or pre-approve CPD activities. Since there are many scopes of practice within the profession of agrology, it is up to each member to determine what to report in order to assure the public of their expertise in their declared scope of practice and situation.
Examples and Categories of How to Report CPD
The following 6 categories are examples that can help identify relevant CPD activities.
- Formal continuing education such as attending structured courses, formal training provided through Universities, Colleges, Technical Institutions, industry, employers including correspondence courses. For example:
- Those in the agronomy or related scopes of practice can report CCA training hours (80 hours maximum)
- Those in project management can report Project Management Professional (PMP) hours
- Informal continuing education such as workshops, seminars, webinars, field days, tours and clinics. This includes reading professional journals relevant to members declared scope of practice. This can include generic or transferable skills training for professionals such as:
- Technical writing seminars
- HR seminars, i.e. “How to manage difficult people”
- Basic photography workshop
- “How to run a successful business meeting” workshop
Maximum 30 hours per year for attending workshops, seminars, webinars, field days, etc.
Maximum 10 hours per year for reading professional scientific articles and reports
- In-house technical, scientific, agribusiness and economic updates offered by employers that focus on keeping current on science industry trends and issues.
- Maximum 30 hours CPD per year in this category
- Maximum 30 hours CPD per year in this category
- Academic contributions such as instructing courses, workshops, seminars, webinars or similar events. Also producing articles, refereed papers, training materials, and presenting technical, scientific, economic and business information. This applies to those in academic teaching and research, for example:
- Teaching or developing a University class = maximum 20 hours CPD per class
- Supervising graduate students = maximum 10 hours CPD per student
- Preparing scientific articles/papers = maximum 10 hours CPD per paper
Members can report and claim CPD in categories Professional Service and SIA Networking as long as 50% of reported activities directly support the member's scope of practice in the 4 categories above.
- Professional service such as a board of directors in a professional scientific or business organization at the local, provincial or national level with a scientific, technical or business focus relating to agrology
- Maximum of 15 hours CPD per year in this category
- Maximum of 15 hours CPD per year in this category
- SIA networking such as attending SIA branch activities, presentations, and networking events or serving on branch executive committees or provincial council.
- Maximum 15 hours of CPD per year in this category.
The weekly Friday Agrology Update email includes a selection of reports, seminars, webinars, conferences, etc. that may assist in identifying CPD opportunities appropriate to members’ scope of practice.
Recording CPD
Annually an online record of continuing professional development (CPD) must be recorded by all members using the CPD Tracker or submitting a hard copy to the Provincial Office demonstrating a minimum of 105 hours of CPD completed over a 3-year period.
As a regulatory body, the Institute is expected to be able to assure the public that members are maintaining competency and practicing ethically.
| CPD TRACKER |
Member in Good Standing
As a regulated profession, on February 15th of each year, the Institute submits a roster of registered members in “good standing” with the provincial government. To be a member in “good standing” annual registration and license to practice fees must be paid, as well as, CPD hours must be recorded online no later than December 31 of each year.
Other Resources
Ensure you are signed in to use the CPD Tracker.
QUESTIONS:
Valerie Pearson, PAg | Executive Director & Registrar
306-242-2606 or valerie.pearson@sia.sk.ca