RIBA CPD - Notes for Members
Introduction|
RIBA rules|
1. What are the RIBA's rules for CPD?
2. How do the points work?
3. What is 'structured' CPD?
4. Do I need attendance or CPD certificates?
CPD core curriculum|
5. How does the core curriculum work?
6. What are the knowledge levels for the core curriculum?
7. What is the curriculum?
8. What is a learning outcome?
9. Do I have to do every subject every year?
10. Can I determine my own programme?
Monitoring your CPD|
11. How does the RIBA monitor CPD compliance?
12. Do you monitor CPD for the practice as a whole or individual members?
Recording and planning your CPD|
13. How do I record my CPD?
14. How do I plan my CPD?
15. How does the CPD year run?
Exemptions and personal circumstances|
16. I don't actually practice as an architect though I am a chartered member - what rules apply?
17. What if I work part-time?
18. What if I have been on maternity leave?
19. What if I can't attend courses or seminars?
20. Are there any exemptions?
What counts (guidance)|
21. What is valid CPD?
22. What kind of activities count?
23. Do my practice's in house seminars count as CPD?
24. Do I have to obtain my CPD from the RIBA?
25. Does CPD have to be endorsed by the RIBA to be valid?
26. Does the RIBA accredit material?
What's on offer (guidance)|
27. What's on offer from the RIBA?
28. How can I find other CPD?
Employers (guidance)|
29. What are my responsibilities as an employer?
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is the requirement that the members of a profession or organisation undertake training to maintain their competence, knowledge, skills and integrity on a regular, structured basis after they qualify. Dozens of professional organisations - especially in the construction, legal, medical and financial sectors - require CPD of their members.
What follows are the RIBA's notes on CPD for chartered architects. This document covers what you need to know to undertake your CPD obligations. It is a combination of rules and guidance.
1. What are the RIBA's rules for CPD?
All chartered members of the RIBA are required to do the following in order to maintain their competence through CPD:
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100 points per year
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35 hours per year, comprising:
- 17.5 hours of the 35 from a set curriculum
- At least two hours from the 35 health and safety CPD
- At least 15.5 hours of the 35 in other CPD
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Half of your CPD should be structured wherever possible
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Record and plan your CPD, preferably online
This is expected no matter where you practice or what you do. The only exception is for fully-retired members.
2. How do the points work?
You are required to accumulate 100 points each year. Each activity you undertake attracts from 1 - 4 points. The points are an indication of what you personally got out of the activity, and how much you feel it contributed to your own development. The assignment of points is your responsibility and no CPD provider should tell you how many points an activity is worth. The points quota was developed to give you a means to reflect on your individual activities set against your overall goals.
3. What is 'structured' CPD?
This denotes any activity in a structured learning environment with structured learning aims and outcomes, whether face to face, online or at a distance. Examples include seminars, in house seminars, workshops, courses, conferences, degrees, diplomas and online and distance learning. We ask that, where possible, half of your CPD be structured.
4. Do I need attendance or CPD certificates?
The RIBA does not expect its members to collect or obtain attendance certificates, and we do not wish (and will never ask) to see them. Your CPD record sheet is self-certified. If you wish to obtain a certificate for any CPD you have undertaken, then ask the course organiser to provide it for you.
5. How does the core curriculum work?
In order to ensure that CPD could be used to maintain competence, rather than to merely rack up hours and points, the RIBA introduced a mandatory new core curriculum (or syllabus). We require that just over half your yearly CPD quota come from this curriculum. The subject list is a generic one based on key skills every architect needs, and with suggested learning outcomes for each subject.
You are required to access CPD from six general areas, with three levels of knowledge you could attain. You must attain 17.5 hours each year from the curriculum, plus at least two hours CPD on health and safety. In other words, your quota from prescribed areas will now be to attain at least 19.5 hours per year. The remaining part of your CPD quota will still be up to you, provided it demonstrably enhances your professional development as an architect. You do not have to study every core curriculum subject every year, but you will aim to cover the entire curriculum every five years.
Attaining your core curriculum CPD is very easy. It does not require any extra CPD time of you - it's part of your regular 35 CPD hours. The syllabus covers subjects that most members are doing for CPD anyway. You do not have to do every subject every year, and, at the general awareness level, you do not have to take special courses. How you get your CPD, when, and at what level is entirely up to you.
6. What are the knowledge levels for the core curriculum?
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General awareness
Keeping up-to-date with changes in professional practice particularly in the areas of legislation and regulations, and changes in the industry. Knowing where to go for further advice and information. Maintaining and enhancing this awareness could be achieved through reading, research or through RIBA CPD Providers Network lunchtime seminars. It is intended that all members will maintain a general awareness regardless of the work they do. It is also very likely that many members will only ever need general awareness of any particular subject.
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Detailed knowledge
Practical applied knowledge of the subject area achieved through learning and experience and consequently being able to advise others of the implications. This knowledge level could be maintained and enhanced by attendance at RIBA regional seminars, and other courses or conferences (whether face to face, online or distance) plus experience. This level of knowledge is appropriate in a particular subject area for members who need to apply that subject in their regular work (i.e. detailed up-to-date knowledge on managing projects if you are a project architect).
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Advanced knowledge
Specialisms within the general practice of architecture which an architect would market to clients and employees to obtain specialist employment. This can be maintained and enhanced by courses leading to certificates of achievement or to diplomas or by way of relevant additional degrees; plus specific detailed research and informed experience.
7. What is the curriculum?
There are six areas to the curriculum:
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Health and safety - all members are required to undertake at least 2 hours per year on top of other requirements.
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Professional context - clients' and society's requirements
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Practice management - managing the business
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Managing projects - managing the construction process
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Construction skills - technical, statutory and cross professional knowledge
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Personal skills development - your training needs
Each area of the curriculum will have pointers for ways in which you can maintain knowledge. The record sheet on the CPD website contains a drop down box explaining each learning area. The level of learning can be adjusted to be relevant to your age, experience, practice type, size and specialism, as well as the current and future needs of the business. For each area, you will identify how you acquired the knowledge and how you will put it into practice.
8.What is a learning outcome?
A learning outcome is a general term that is used to state specifically what students should know and be able to do in measurable terms as a result of an activity.
9. Do I have to do every subject every year?
Other than health and safety, no. We expect you to attain a minimum of 19.5 hours per year, including the two hours of health and safety. How you allocate this is up to you, however, you should aim to cover the entire curriculum every five years.
10. Can I determine my own programme?
Yes, both within the core curriculum and the 15.5 hours of other CPD left to you. Your programme ought to reflect your personal, professional and business needs, your staff requirements, other professional requirements, your long term future, and any skills shortages.
11. How does the RIBA monitor CPD compliance?
At the beginning of every year, we select a random sample of 5% of members asking to see evidence of the above for the previous year by way of your CPD record sheet. We will write to or email you privately. We will check that you have undertaken the minimum required CPD for the year, including the core curriculum. We will also offer feedback and advice.
Those members who refuse to comply could, after a series of warnings, be expelled from the RIBA. This would be as a last resort. We would rather help you to achieve your CPD goals by working with you.
We find, when talking to and counselling people who think they have a problem undertaking CPD, that they are usually pleasantly surprised at how much CPD they are actually doing anyway. From here, it's usually a small matter to more actively plan for, record and reflect on CPD activities on a regular basis.
12. Do you monitor CPD for the practice as a whole or individual members?
We monitor the CPD records of individual members only. Your employers - and indeed any other third party - will not be made aware that you have been selected.
13. How do I record my CPD?
You are asked to record and plan your CPD online. You will find the CPD recording facility in the members only area. This facility enables you to create a CPD record sheet and professional development plan. The record sheet is a diary of your CPD activity as you carry it out. The PDP is a yearly CPD plan. This allows you to plan - in general terms - what CPD you need and how you will carry it out. The two items work together to help you best target and benefit from CPD.
You will need your membership number and password to log into this or any other members only service. This facility is based on a combination of pop up boxes, drop down menus, ticks, and some free text. Everything you input by way of these pop ups, drop downs, ticks and free text ends up automatically on clear spreadsheets. These spreadsheets are kept online for you. You can also print them out, or import or save them into other packages. There are three spreadsheets: the PDP, the record sheet, and the five year curriculum record. The RIBA is then able to examine these if required. You are also able to print them out for your own purposes, or, if asked, to provide evidence of competence.
The core curriculum subjects and knowledge levels have pop up boxes offering further explanation of the learning outcomes you are aiming for, when you record your activities. These pop ups are revealed when you point the cursor over the relevant text, for example, 'health and safety'.
14.How do I plan my CPD?
Where possible, set learning and development goals for yourself using the RIBA's Professional Development Plan. You might use it to review and explore your personal and professional needs, taking into account time and budget available and preferred learning styles. Try to think about and set down your strengths, weaknesses and interests. We recommend that to get the most out of CPD, you implement a cycle of regular planning, development, reflection on what you have learned and how you will put it into practice, implementing your learning, and regular review, analysis and re-appraisal.
15. How does the CPD year run?
Normally from January to December. However, many businesses plan their CPD around financial years. If your business does this and you are chosen for CPD compliance study, you may submit records for the closest previous 12 month period.
16. I don't actually practice as an architect though I am a chartered member - what rules apply?
The rules for CPD apply to all chartered members regardless of the job they do. However, you are free to tailor your programme to your own needs and requirements. For the portion of the CPD requirements relating to the core curriculum, all you will ever be likely to need is general awareness. If your circumstances should change, so should your CPD programme.
17. What if I work part-time?
There is no difference in the amount required from you if you are in part time employment.
18. What if I have been on maternity leave?
You are technically not exempt from your CPD obligations when you are on maternity or any other kind of parental leave, as you still need to maintain your competence and skills. However, we would not expect you to attend structured events. You can keep up-to-date by way of reading or research, or, if possible, online or distance learning. If you have been chosen to provide evidence of your CPD for this time, make a note on your record sheet to explain your circumstances.
Please note that this also applies if you have been on long term sick leave or you are unemployed.
19. What if I can't attend courses or seminars?
If you are in one of the following categories:
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Maternity leave
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Any other kind of parental or carers leave
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Long term sick leave
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Unemployed
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Practising in remote rural locations
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On TA or other military duty
You are technically not exempt from your CPD obligations, as you still need to maintain your competence and skills. However, we would not expect you to attend structured events. We would be content for you to keep up-to-date by way of reading or research, or, if at all possible, online or distance learning. If you have been chosen to provide evidence of your CPD for this time, make a note on your record sheet about your circumstances. If you have any difficulties, please contact us - we're here to help, and are willing to make allowances where needed, and also to help you find low cost, low impact provision.
20. Are there any exemptions?
Other than fully retired members, no.
21. What is valid CPD?
Any relevant activity that demonstrably enhances one's ability to practice architecture is valid CPD. Members are generally expected to undertake CPD that supports the actual work and job they do. The activity does not have to be accredited, approved or provided by the RIBA to count as valid CPD. You do not have to ask the RIBA if it counts or for permission. Please note however that the RIBA only assesses CPD content for third party providers through the RIBA CPD Providers Network. You are not required to use the Providers Network - this is provided as a service for you.
22. What kind of activities count?
Again, any relevant activity that demonstrably enhances your ability to practice architecture is valid CPD. Examples include seminars, workshops, courses, degrees, diplomas, advanced certificates, online or distance learning, conferences, reading, research, study tours, exhibition visits, mentoring, writing, relevant volunteer work. Again, these are only examples. You will no doubt be able to think of other kinds of activities yourself. You do not ever have to seek the RIBA's permission for any activity.
See the separate guidance for this section.
23. Do my practice's in house seminars count as CPD?
Yes. They do not have to be approved, accredited or endorsed by the RIBA.
24. Do I have to obtain my CPD from the RIBA?
No. While the RIBA organises a comprehensive CPD programme, this is offered as a service. You are free to access your CPD from any source you wish. This is true for both the core curriculum and for your other CPD.
25. Does CPD have to be endorsed by the RIBA to be valid?
No, however, the third party cannot claim that it is endorsed, supported, accredited, validated or assessed by the RIBA. Only RIBA CPD Providers Network members can claim their CPD has been accredited by us. The latest listing will always be online on this website.
26. Does the RIBA accredit material?
Only for members of the RIBA CPD Providers Network. We do not otherwise accredit CPD material.
27. What's on offer from the RIBA?
You will find the following on this website:
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Your regional office for CPD seminars and conferences of a detailed knowledge nature
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Your local RIBA branch for informal events and networking
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RIBA CPD Providers Network for free or low cost RIBA assessed CPD in your practice at lunchtime
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RIBA skilled learning: Project Management, Access Consultancy, Construction Management
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RIBA Trust
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RIBA Programmes
Also available:
28. How can I find other CPD?
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Construction and design trade press
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Other construction professions: RICS, ICE, CIBSE, ICE, RTPI, etc
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Other construction organisations: CIRIA, HSE, BRE, Constructing Excellence
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The UK government: the Small Business Service, DTI, DIUS
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Other organisations: the CBI, Investors in People, Institute of Directors, Institute of Management, Institute of Personnel and Development
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Schools of architecture post-graduate programmes
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Commercial training organisations
We are always able to advise you on this and on any other CPD-related issue. Phone 020 7307 3697 or email cpd@inst.riba.org|
29. What are my responsibilities as an employer?
There is no specific guidance or legislation on this. CPD is an individual obligation. However, chartered practices are required to have a CPD management system in place. There is no compulsion for what, how or when. See the separate guidance for this section.
In addition, all RIBA members who employ architects are required in the code of conduct to allow them time to fulfil their CPD obligations.
Ethically, all responsible employers will have an appraisal programme in place tied to yearly objectives and training, at which time individual and group training needs are addressed. To do otherwise is to harm the business, erode staff morale, and ensure low retention rates.
Finally, the responsible architectural practice will want to ensure that its staff are up to date on at least the relevant statutory and regulatory information, the latest construction trends, technical innovations and so on.