These frequently asked questions addresses common queries about the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements set by the Property Agents Board (the Board) and has been written to assist property agents to understand the Board’s policy and CPD requirements.
What is CPD?
CPD is the means by which members of the property agents industry maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, as well as developing the personal and professional qualities needed throughout their careers.
CPD is the means by which members of the property agents industry maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, as well as developing the personal and professional qualities needed throughout their careers.
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How do I find out if a CPD activity has been approved?
The Board regularly publishes an updated List of CPD Activities on its website. Please refer to this List to check if an activity has been approved or make an enquiry with the Board. Tip – use Ctrl F to search for a name, date or training provider. Who needs to comply with the Board’s CPD policy and how many points are required?
All property agents must complete a minimum of 8 points of CPD activity in each licence period of 12 months (the licence year is 1 July – 30 June). A minimum 6 CPD points must be directly related to the property agents industry which means that if you are only declaring 8 CPD points, the other 2 CPD points can be of a more general nature but must still be relevant to the property agents industry. You can find out whether an activity is characterised as industry specific or non industry specific by referring to the List of Approved CPD Activities that can be downloaded from the Boards’ website. Further, the Board also requires that a minimum of 2 CPD points must be characterised as provided by an external training provider. You can identify whether a CPD activity is characterised as internal or external on the CPD code prefix on the List of Approved CPD Activities. An external training provider is coded with the prefix EP whereas an internal training provider is characterised with the prefix IP. What is industry specific and non industry specific?
A CPD activity is characterised as industry specific if the CPD activity has been created or is organised for the property agents industry and generally covers property industry topics. Industry specific CPD is important as the property industry is ever changing and expanding. As such, the Board considers that undertaking a variety of contemporary CPD activities assists in keeping up to date on trends and will allow a property agent to undertake their role in a more efficient and meaningful way. Why has the Board made me undertake at least 2 points that are provided by an external training provider and who is an external training provider?
The term ‘external training provider’ means that the CPD activity is delivered by a person external to the property agent’s organisation. The rationale for this concept is to create a mechanism to ensure that all property agents are provided with an opportunity to receive contemporary and different perspectives through CPD activity that may not necessarily be reflective in the property agent’s own organisational culture. It should be noted that a training activity that is for in house staff only can still be characterised as external as there can be external presenters and speakers – check the prefix of the CPD code on the List of Approved CPD Activities. When do I need to complete my minimum 8 points of CPD?
CPD operates on an annual cycle based on the licence year 1 July - 30 June. It is recommended that the property agent completes his or her 8 points of CPD before 30 April each year. However, property agents have until 30 June to comply and provide notification to the Board with evidence of his or her compliance. What if I have completed more than 8 points of CPD? Should I declare it on the Application for Licence (Renewal) form?
Yes. You should list all CPD activities that you have completed as this provides the Board with a complete history of your compliance and may strengthen your case if you apply for an exemption due to extenuating circumstances in the future. Does travel and preparation time count towards the CPD activity?
No. Only the hours spent on the actual CPD activity count towards the entitlement. To see how many points have been allocated for a specific CPD activity, please check the information on the List of Approved CPD Activities that is regularly updated and published on the Board’s website. Can the Board staff help me choose a CPD activity?
What CPD you wish or need to do is a personal choice. It is not appropriate for the Board staff to recommend a specific course. The Board’s role is approving the CPD activities and making sure that you have met your CPD requirements. The Board also does not have a role in assisting you meeting your CPD requirements by organising your attendance or going through the List of Approved CPD Activities and making enquiries with the training provider on your behalf. Keep reviewing the List of Approved CPD activities to see if something is of interest to you. I attended a CPD training activity which has been approved for 8 CPD points and is characterised as industry specific and has the prefix EP in the CPD code. Have I satisfied my CPD requirements in order to have my licence renewed by doing just this one CPD activity?
Yes. You have satisfied the Board’s CPD policy as you have undertaken at least 8 CPD points and at least 6 of those 8 CPD points are industry specific and you have at least 2 of those 8 CPD points provided by an external training provider. I have undertaken 12 points of CPD. Of those 12 points, 4 are characterised as industry specific and all of the 12 points have the CPD code EP. Have I met my CPD requirements?
No. There is a requirement that at least 6 CPD points must be industry specific. Therefore, you will need to undertake 2 more industry specific CPD points which can be provided by an external or internal training provider. How long do I need to keep a record of the evidence of my CPD compliance?
The Board recommends that you keep evidence of your participation in an approved CPD activity for a period of two years. This ensures that you have evidence to provide to the Board if you are selected for a random audit of CPD. What if I don’t meet my CPD points requirements?
At the time of renewal, you need to make a declaration about your CPD points that you have completed in that licence period. However, you can apply for an exemption for meeting your CPD requirements and a full or partial reduction may be granted. The Board may also grant you an extension to complete your CPD points |
My licence was granted on 10 December. Do I still have to do a minimum of 8 points of CPD in order to have my licence renewed?
Yes. As per the Board’s CPD policy, you will be required to complete a minimum of 8 points as the Board has determined that all property agents who have their licence granted on or before 31 March in each licence year are required to complete a minimum of 8 CPD points. What if I have completed more than 8 points of CPD? Should I declare it on the Application for Licence (Renewal) form?
Yes. You should list all CPD activities that you have completed as this provides the Board with a complete history of your compliance and may strengthen your case if you apply for an exemption due to extenuating circumstances in the future. Can I carry over CPD points into the next licence period?
No. Whilst the Board commends your commitment and dedication to ongoing learning, if a licensee participates in more CPD activities than required in any one licence period, these excess points cannot be carried over into the next licence period. Do I still need to complete CPD if I am licensed but not working in the property agents industry?
Yes, if you are licensed and seek to have your licence renewed, you must comply with the CPD policy. Therefore, you must undertake CPD. My licence was granted on 19 April. Do I still have to do a minimum of 8 points of CPD in order to have my licence renewed?
No. As per the Board’s CPD policy, the Board has determined that all property agents who have their licence granted on or after 1 April will not be required to complete any CPD for the remainder of that licence year. I want to do a CPD activity that has not occurred, and it is not approved. What do I do?
Either a participant in an upcoming training activity or the training provider can request that future training activity be approved by the Board by using a Request for CPD Activity Approval form available on the Board’s website. Can I count a training activity that I have already undertaken but it is not on the List of Approved CPD Activities?
The Board does not usually approve CPD activities retrospectively, however it can exercise its discretion to do so. This will only apply in special circumstances and only to those CPD activities which are specifically catering to the property agents industry. If a property agent or a training provider retrospectively applies for a CPD activity to be approved, he or she will need to submit a Request for Retrospective CPD Activity Approval form which can be found on the Board’s website. Why did the Board approve a workshop for 2 points when it was an all-day event?
The Board’s approval for CPD has become stringent and hours allocated/approved for CPD will not necessarily reflect the hours of attendance at a CPD activity. The Board in making its assessment takes the following factors into account:
The Board also administratively excludes meals and other breaks that are in a CPD activity and sessions of a more general, sponsorship or induction nature. What CPD should I do?
The Board acknowledges that some of the approved courses are in house training only but there are a number of external training providers who have open house events or online activities that any person may register to attend to obtain CPD points. It might be helpful for you to engage with your colleagues to see what sort of training activity they are attending or find beneficial and see if any of these may interest you. I have undertaken 16 CPD points of training organised by my employer. All of these CPD points are characterised as industry specific but have the prefix IP in its CPD code. As I have done at least 8 points does this mean that I have met my CPD requirements?
No. At least 2 CPD points must be provided by an external training provider. Therefore, you will have to undertake at least 2 CPD points by an external training provider in order to meet your CPD requirements. I have done 24 CPD points that are characterised as industry specific with the prefix EP which I understand means provided by an external training provider. I have heard that you have to undertake at least 2 points of internal training in order to get your licence renewed– is this right?
No. You can complete all training by an external training provider. However, you cannot complete all training with an internal training provider in order to meet your CPD requirements as you must undertake at least 2 CPD points with an external training provider. As you have completed at least 8 CPD points and at least 6 of those CPD points are industry specific and at least 2 CPD points are provided by an external training provider, you have met your CPD requirements in order to have your licence renewed. Will everyone be audited?
No. The Board selects a random number of property agents to be audited at any time. If selected for random audit, you will need to show evidence that you have completed the minimum 8 hours CPD activity requirements for the previous licence period year (1 July – 30 June). How do I apply for a CPD extension or exemption?
You can apply to the Board in writing and may need to supply additional documentation to support your request such as:
Each application will be considered on its merits. |