Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement for all members who are currently working, as outlined in our Code of Professional Conduct. To ensure compliance, we conduct an annual audit of 3% of eligible members.

If you are selected for a CPD audit, it's important to understand the steps you need to take. You can also find information below on how to appeal an audit decision if you are dissatisfied with the outcome.

For full details on our CPD requirements and processes, including the appeals procedure and policy guidance, please follow the link below.

STEP members are required to maintain a record of their CPD, This is done by completing and submitting CPD record form, which features an option to upload CPD recorded through an employer’s learning and development system, and/or another professional body or regulator’s recording tools.

STEP conducts ongoing reviews of members’ CPD records and may request to see them at anytime during the year. If requested to submit a CPD record then a member should return their CPD record, plus the CPD Cover Sheet, within two months of the original request to [email protected]

Watch Elaine Blades TEP talk about reflective practice, which is at the heart of STEP's CPD Policy.

STEP operates an outcomes-based approach to CPD with a focus on the maintenance and development of professional competence through undertaking CPD that is relevant to the individual. Using role benchmarking, members are required to match their CPD against the key responsibilities in their work role. In this way, they can meet their stakeholders’ reasonable expectations of them in their work role and their obligations as a professional.

It encompasses technical competence, but should also include skills that help you to perform as a rounded professional. Therefore you should also consider personal, management and business skills as key development areas. Refreshing an awareness of ethical practice, in line with the STEP Code of Professional Conduct, is also essential CPD.

STEP members are required to undertake at least one ethics-related CPD activity annually. Visit our Ethics Hub, where we have pulled together resources to help you understand the role of ethics in professional practice and undertake ethics-related CPD.

A summary of the main trends, strengths, and areas for improvement highlighted in the 2022 and 2023 CPD audits thematic review.

View the previous year below:

• 2022 and 2023 Thematic Review (PDF)