CPD Guide for GP Training


CPD Guide for GP Training


CPD Guide for GP Training

This guide is exclusive to the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) and Fellowship Support Program (FSP) Pathways’ Registrars.

Practice Experience Program Specialist (PEP SP) participants, please refer to the CPD information specific to your program, continuing Practice Experience Program Standard (PEP ST) participants, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.

CPD requirements

The 2023 Medical Board of Australia (MBA) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Registration Standard indicates that all registered medical practitioners from PGY3 onwards who are engaged in any form of practice are required to participate regularly in CPD that is relevant to their scope of practice and meet the annual minimum CPD requirements.

For specialist trainees, their CPD requirements will be met by participating in an accredited specialist training program, and their CPD home is their accredited specialist medical college.

Registrars participating in the RACGP – Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) or Fellowship Support Program (FSP) (education component) -  for at least one semester within the calendar year meet their CPD requirements. The RACGP CPD home becomes their CPD Home by default and will report their annual CPD compliance status to Ahpra each year.

Find more information about the Medical Board of Australia’s CPD Registration Standard in the MBA FAQs.

CPD requirements while on leave from GP training

  • General practice registrars on leave and not working as a doctor do not need to seek a CPD exemption for their period of leave whilst enrolled in the training program.
  • General practice registrars on leave but who undertake work as a doctor outside the training program are personally responsible for meeting their MBA CPD requirements.

A CPD exemption or variation may be available depending on when a registrar started working as a doctor outside of the training program while on leave. For example, if a registrar is on an approved continuous leave for 6 months prior to working, then we can grant a CPD variation for that 6 months thereby reducing the required number of CPD hours the registrar must complete within a calendar year.

Registrars working as a doctor outside the training program while on approved leave from training who have not completed one semester of GP training placement within the given calendar year must complete the RACGP AGPT and FSP CPD declaration, exemption or variation application form.

Deferment from GP training

A trainee or registrar who defers training must meet the MBA CPD requirements. This means having a CPD home, completing a professional development plan (PDP) and meeting the 50 hours of CPD according to the different CPD types, including the program-level requirements.

Registrars may use this form to apply for an exemption or variation if  currently on leave from practice during a GP Training deferment (i.e. a registrar have not yet commenced GP Training).

Fellowship

On achievement of Fellowship, a registrar will receive a confirmation letter outlining relevant CPD credits aligned with the RACGP New Fellows modified CPD program requirements.

Newly Fellowed GPs (FRACGP) will have modified CPD requirements for the year Fellowship is ratified. Fellows could be entitled to either full or partial ‘credit’ towards the MBA requirements. The RACGP will award 30 CPD hours credit for those who Fellow between January and June, allocated as 15 hours Educational Activities, 7.5 hours Reviewing Performance and 7.5hrs Measuring Outcomes. To meet the remainder of the MBA’s CPD requirements, they will need to complete: 

  • professional development plan (PDP)
  • 10 hours of any CPD activity type
  • 10 hours of reviewing performance and/or measuring outcomes.

If the date of Fellowship is from July onwards, a ‘full credit’ for the remainder of the year will be granted.