CPD is a requirement for many different professions, chiropractic included. Learn more about CPD requirements for chiropractors with Breeze Academy, one of the UK’s leading CPD providers. In this blog, we outline CPD requirements for chiropractors, examples of CPD courses for chiropractors, and what happens when chiropractors fail to meet CPD requirements.
What is CPD Chiropractic?
Continued professional development (CPD) is an essential part of a chiropractor’s professional life. The practice ensures that skills and knowledge are constantly being maintained and developed and that an enhanced level of professionalism is maintained. This allows them to continually deliver high-quality, safe, and effective care.
CPD requirements for Chiropractors
30 hours of CPD activity is required each year by the General Chiropractic Council. 15 of these hours must be completed learning alongside others. The remaining 15 hours are the choice of the individual, provided that it meets the GCC's requirements and the individual’s learning plan.
The General Chiropractic Council stipulates that that members must complete a basic set of requirements each year:
- Identify learning needs/interests and produce a plan to address them
- Undertake and record at least 30 hours of CPD activities
- 15 hours of CPD must be learning alongside others
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of CPD undertaken
On top of this, CPD undertaken must be considered a learning experience and must be focused on advancing professional development.
CPD Waivers
In exceptional circumstances, if a registrant has not completed all or part of their CPD requirements for the year, a registrar may waive or postpone CPD requirements if circumstances prevented the individual from completing CPD requirements by the end of the year. Cases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, however, ill health and bereavement are usually acceptable reasons.
What happens When CPD Requirements are Not Met?
The GCC will attempt to open a discussion with any members that do not meet CPD requirements for the year to attempt to gain an understanding of why requirements were not met.
Where possible, the GCC will attempt to resolve any issues but, if a member does not engage with the process or shows no intention to complete CPD, the GCC will remove the individual from the register. This can be appealed within 28 days.
CPD Course Examples for Chiropractors
There is a great variety of CPD courses available for chiropractors, as well as CPD options in less formal teaching environments. We’ve listed just a few options below for you to consider.
CPD Course Examples
CPD courses are considered formal learning environments which can help to develop new skills, update knowledge, and maintain a safe practice.
- Acupuncture and Dry Needling
- Sports Massage
- Yoga Teacher Training
- Conferences
Informal CPD Examples
Informal CPD activities can count towards the 15 hours of CPD which must be spent learning alongside others. Whilst individuals may not be in a formal teaching environment, the activity must still be considered a learning experience.
- Peer review and observation
- Case discussions
- Shadowing other chiropractors or healthcare professionals
- Talking to other healthcare professionals to discuss their approach
What Other Healthcare Professions can Benefit from CPD?
To support their professional development and stay up to date with industry standards, CPD must be completed. As well as Chiropractors, the following specialities are required to complete some level of CPD:
Occupational Therapists
The required CPD hours for Occupational Therapists is 30 per year, to maintain and improve competence in Occupational Therapy. Best practice maintaining an up-to-date portfolio, detailing any CPD activities completed. Check out our blog on CPD for Occupational Therapists to find out more about how to meet the requirements.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists are required to maintain an accurate record of 30 CPD hours per year before submitting it to the Health and Care Professions Council. Upon renewing your registration, you will be required to sign a declaration, confirming that you will continue to meet their standards. Check out our blog on CPD for Occupational Physiotherapists to find out more about how to meet the requirements.
Nurses
To comply with the criteria set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, nurses are required to complete at least 35 hours of CPD every 3 years. This should include 20 hours of participatory learning, learning whilst interacting with one or more healthcare professionals. We have a full blog available to tell you everything you need to know about CPD for Nurses.
Doctors
Doctors are obligated to complete 50 hours worth of CPD every year. A minimum of 25 of these hours must take place outside of the workplace. To find out more about the requirements of CPD for Doctors and what activities count towards this, check out our in-depth blog.
CPD Courses for Chiropractors at Breeze Academy
Breeze Academy is one of the UK’s leading CPD course providers. We offer a range of CPD courses for healthcare professionals, including Foundation Acupuncture and Dry Needling, Yoga Teacher Training, Sports Massage, and Tutor Coaching.
Find out more about our CPD courses for Chiropractors here, or get in touch with the team today to learn more about your CPD opportunities with Breeze Academy.