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What a useful CPD record should show
A CPD record should make the activity understandable to somebody reviewing it later. Record what happened, when, why it mattered to the role and what was learned rather than relying on a certificate title alone.
Different professional bodies and schemes use different categories, cycles and evidence rules. Keep the template aligned with the current requirements that apply to the person.
- Activity, category, provider or source and date
- Hours where the scheme requires them
- Learning outcome and relevance to the role
- Reflection or intended change
- Evidence reference, reviewer and next action
CPD log examples by profession
Each professional body sets its own rules. The NMC asks nurses and midwives for 35 hours of CPD over three years, at least 20 of them participatory. The HCPC sets no minimum number of hours, but audits 2.5% of each profession at each renewal. The Engineering Council's CPD Code sets no minimum time, but recording CPD is mandatory and licensed institutions sample records every year.
The examples below are fictional. Check your own body's current rules before you rely on them.
Nurse or midwife (NMC)
Example activity
Half-day sepsis workshop with colleagues, 3.5 hours, participatory
What to record
Date, topic, hours, whether it was participatory, how it links to the Code and the evidence
Allied health professional (HCPC)
Example activity
Peer review of three case notes with a senior physiotherapist
What to record
What you learned, how it improved your practice and how it benefits service users
Engineer (Engineering Council)
Example activity
Short course on a revised design standard
What to record
What you planned to learn, what you did and how it changed your work
Reflection makes the record useful
Reflection explains what the person learned, confirmed or questioned and how that may affect their work. It does not need to be long, but it should say more than attended course.
A useful reflection might identify a change to test, an issue to discuss in supervision, a skill to practise or evidence that current practice remains appropriate.
Keep evidence proportionate
Evidence may include a certificate, agenda, reading note, work output, feedback, assessment or supervision record. The right evidence depends on the activity and the applicable scheme.
Do not treat an uploaded file as automatically accepted proof. Record who reviewed it, when and what further action is needed if it is incomplete or unclear.
Connect CPD with development and registration
SkillProof CPD Tracking keeps activities, categories, evidence, reflection and review together. Managers can follow the records they are authorised to see while individuals keep their own development history current.
Where CPD supports a professional registration, SkillProof Professional Registration Tracking can hold the registration record, dates, evidence and manual check history separately. SkillProof does not verify a register or determine whether the evidence meets a regulator's rules automatically.
Review the record before closing it
Check that the activity is clear, the learning is specific, the reflection is relevant and the evidence supports what was recorded. If the activity creates another development need, give it a next action rather than closing the record as complete.
A CPD tracker template works for a small personal log. Move to a shared workflow when several people, schemes, evidence files, review decisions or renewal dates must be kept current.
Official guidance used for this guide
Checked
The template is deliberately regulator-neutral. The official HCPC and NMC sources illustrate why records should cover learning, reflection, evidence and current scheme requirements rather than hours alone.
Questions this guide answers
What should a CPD record include?
Record the activity, date, category or source, hours where relevant, learning outcome, relevance, reflection, evidence, reviewer and next action. Follow the current requirements of the applicable professional body or scheme.
How many CPD hours do I need?
It depends on your professional body. The NMC asks for 35 hours over three years, at least 20 of them participatory. The HCPC and the Engineering Council set no minimum hours but expect an up-to-date record. Check your body's current rules.
Is a certificate enough for a CPD record?
Not always. A certificate may show attendance, but many schemes also expect learning, relevance, reflection or impact. Check the applicable standard rather than assuming one document is sufficient.
Does SkillProof decide whether CPD meets regulator rules?
No. SkillProof organises records, evidence, review and follow-up. The person and organisation remain responsible for checking current scheme or regulator requirements and making any professional judgement.