Continuing professional development for veterinary practitioners in Victoria

Guideline 10 of the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria requires all registered veterinary practitioners to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a condition of their registration.

Continuing professional development is an essential part of a profession’s activities. CPD provides assurance to the general public and professional peers that registered veterinary practitioners are continually updating and improving their skills. CPD strengthens the collaboration between the veterinary practitioner, the veterinary team and an owner in the delivery of contemporary veterinary services to a standard expected by the public and professional peers.

More information: Guideline 10 - Continuing Professional Development

Counting and recording CPD points

The Board requires veterinary practitioners registered in Victoria to undertake a minimum of 60 points of CPD points over a rolling three-year cycle, at least 15 of which must be structured points. When a practitioner renews their registration, they will be asked to declare whether they have fulfilled their professional obligations in relation to CPD. Currently, practitioners registered in Victoria are not required to submit CPD records to the Board though CPD records must be retained for at least three years from date of completion.

CPD records should include the CPD date, name and type of activity, field of learning, specific learning or development achieved, points accrued and validation documents. Vets may use their own record system (e.g. an Excel spreadsheet) or the Board's record form to record their CPD.