noun

CPD

see-pee-DEE

CPD (noun) means continuing professional development: the training, courses and structured learning that people in a regulated profession must undertake to keep their skills and registration current. Example: “Teachers must log 30 hours of CPD each year.”

noun

Continuing professional development: the training, courses and structured learning that people in a regulated profession must undertake to keep their skills and registration current.

"Teachers must log 30 hours of CPD each year."

"The conference counts towards your CPD."

A course, event or activity that counts towards this requirement.

"The webinar is a free CPD for practice nurses."

How to Use CPD

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTraining you keep doing to stay qualified in your job.

When to use it

Standard in British, Irish and Commonwealth professional life; North American bodies more often say continuing education, or CE credits.

Memory tip

CPD is uncountable when it means the ongoing process ('some CPD') but countable when it means an individual course ('a CPD').

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

CPD vs CME CPD vs CE credits

Common pairings

CPD hours CPD points accredited CPD CPD requirements CPD log

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Teachers must log 30 hours of _____ each year.

Etymology

An initialism of continuing professional development.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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professional development in-service training continuing education

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CPD mean?

Continuing professional development — the learning that qualified professionals such as nurses, teachers, engineers, solicitors and accountants must keep doing after they qualify. Most regulators set a minimum number of hours or points per year.

What is the difference between CPD and CME?

CME, continuing medical education, is the doctors' version and focuses on clinical knowledge. CPD is broader, covering any profession and including non-clinical skills such as leadership, ethics and communication.

What counts as CPD?

Formal courses, conferences, webinars and qualifications usually count, and many regulators also accept structured reading, mentoring, peer review and reflective writing. What matters is that it relates to your role and that you can evidence it.