CPD for UK Healthcare Professionals: Requirements, Activities & Tools
Every registered UK healthcare professional must maintain their Continuing Professional Development as a condition of ongoing registration. The specific requirements — number of hours or credits, accepted activity types, and evidence standards — differ significantly across regulators. myCPD Tracker supports all major UK regulatory bodies and applies the correct rules for your profession automatically.
Key Features
- All UK healthcare regulators supported — GMC, NMC, GDC, GPhC, HCPC, and GOC are built in — with the correct point targets, approved activity types, and preferred CPD providers for each.
- Specialty-specific CPD support — Over 50 UK healthcare specialties are available, each with curated lists of relevant CPD providers and tailored activity suggestions.
- AI-powered learning recommendations — The AI coach analyses your CPD history and suggests relevant activities to address gaps in your portfolio or meet specific regulatory requirements.
- Suitable at every career stage — From foundation doctors and newly registered nurses to consultants, GPs, and senior allied health professionals — the tool adapts to your role and experience level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPD in healthcare?
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is structured learning that healthcare professionals undertake to maintain and improve their knowledge, skills, and professional performance. In the UK it is a regulatory requirement for registration renewal and revalidation. Activities range from formal courses and conferences to peer review, teaching, clinical audit, and e-learning.
Are CPD requirements the same for all healthcare professions?
No. GMC-registered doctors need 50 CPD credits per year (250 over 5 years). NMC registrants need 35 hours of CPD per 3-year period. HCPC registrants need to demonstrate ongoing CPD in line with their standards. GDC requires 100 verifiable hours over 5 years. GPhC expects pharmacists to reflect on their CPD and demonstrate its impact on patient care.
What activities count as CPD for healthcare professionals?
Most UK regulators accept: formal courses and conferences, e-learning modules, clinical audit, peer review, teaching and supervision, research and publication, mandatory training, simulation exercises, and structured self-directed learning such as journal reading with a written reflection.
Do I need to record CPD during a career break?
If your registration is lapsed you may not need to accumulate CPD during that period, but you will likely need to demonstrate an appropriate level of CPD to return to the register. myCPD Tracker can help you plan and record a structured return-to-practice development programme.
How does myCPD Tracker know the CPD requirements for my profession?
During profile setup you select your regulatory body and specialty. myCPD Tracker then applies the correct annual or revalidation-cycle point targets, filters CPD providers to those most relevant to your discipline, and highlights activity types that are particularly valued by your regulator.