The Mandatory CPD Scheme
Generally modelled on the Voluntary CPD Scheme, the key features of the Mandatory CPD Scheme are as follows –
Scope
Registered Veterinary Surgeons (“RVSs”) who wish to apply for a practising certificate or renewal of a practising certificate are required to fulfill the mandatory CPD requirement.
CPD Requirement
An RVS is required to obtain at least 40 CPD points in a rolling two-year reporting cycle, of which a minimum of 25 points must be from structured activities (the “CPD requirement”) in order to be entitled to be issued with a practising certificate conferring the full right to practise veterinary science or provide veterinary services in the following year.
Reporting Cycle
Every two-year reporting cycle begins on 1 October two years preceding to the year of application for renewal of a practising certificate valid for the following year until 30 September of the year of application for renewal of the said practising certificate (the “Reporting Cycle”).
The first Reporting Cycle starts on 1 October 2023 and ends on 30 September 2025 for renewal of a practising certificate for 2026. The second Reporting Cycle starts on 1 October 2024 and ends on 30 September 2026 for renewal of a practising certificate for 2027, so on and so forth.
Reporting of CPD and Compliance with CPD Fulfilment
When an RVS applies for renewal of a practising certificate, he will be required to
declare in the application form whether he has fulfilled the CPD requirement. Separately, the RVS must
complete the “CPD Point Record Sheet” and
retain documentary proof of participation in CPD activities. The completed CPD Point Record Sheet and supporting documentation must be kept by the RVS for
at least 6 years and readily presented to the Board for inspection upon request. An
annual audit of selected RVSs with reference to their completed CPD Point Record Sheets and supporting documentation will be conducted to monitor compliance with the CPD requirement.
Application for Deferment
If an RVS is unable to fulfil the CPD requirement in a particular Reporting Cycle, he may apply for a
deferment of two years to make up for the shortfall in CPD points in that cycle when he applies for renewal of the practising certificate. If he is granted the deferment, he will be required to undergo a CPD audit shortly after the two-year deferment period.
Please refer to the useful links below for details about the Mandatory CPD Scheme.
Briefing Session
To facilitate RVSs’ understanding on the Mandatory CPD Scheme, a briefing session was conducted by the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong on 29 August 2023.