Reminder: plan CPD together

24 April 2026

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is most effective when it is planned, supported and reviewed – not just left to chance.

As many practices head into annual reviews or performance conversations, this is a timely opportunity to discuss CPD for the year ahead. An employee's performance development plan developed with their employer/supervisor will usually align with the ‘prepare a CPD plan’ part of the Vet Council’s CPD requirements. To save doubling up, veterinarians can use their performance development plan to form part of their overall CPD plan. This could be included to help meet the planning component of the CPD requirements.

Under the Vet Council’s new CPD approach, the emphasis has shifted away from simply “counting hours” and instead focusses on the process of planning, participating and evaluating learning.

Veterinarians are expected to:

Prepare a CPD plan
Do their CPD
Record CPD activities
Review their CPD plan.

While CPD is an individual responsibility, practices can play a key role in making it meaningful. Annual reviews provide an opportunity to discuss learning needs, future goals, and how CPD can support both the veterinarian and the practice. As a result, this can produce the required documentation of a CPD plan.

More information on the current CPD requirements, including expectations around planning and recording CPD, is available below.