How to Meet the 50-Hour CPD Requirement: A Doctor’s Guide to the 2025 Framework

A step-by-step guide for doctors in Ireland to fulfill the Medical Council’s new 50-hour CPD requirement. Learn how to plan your year, complete your Professional Development Plan (PDP), engage in practice reviews and work-based learning, track your progress, and stay compliant under the 2025 CPD framework.

Staying on top of your CPD obligations may sound daunting, but with a clear plan it becomes very manageable. Under the 2025 MPC framework, doctors need to complete 50 hours of CPD each year (across four categories). Below is a practical, step-by-step guide to help you comply with the 50-hour requirement and make the most of the new CPD system:

1. Enroll in a Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) on time. Every doctor must be enrolled in a PCS each year – and under the new rules, you need to enroll within 60 days of the scheme year’s start (by June 30). Mark your calendar each year on May 1 (the start of the CPD year) to ensure your enrollment and fee payment are done. Enrolling on time means you’ll have access to the PCS’s tools for logging CPD and you’ll receive important updates. Failing to enroll promptly could leave you playing catch-up later in the year.
2. Complete your Professional Development Plan (PDP) at the beginning of the year. The PDP is now a mandatory CPD activity and a great way to kick-start your year. Set aside time in May to reflect on your learning needs and career goals, and write down a plan. Identify which skills or knowledge areas you want to improve in the coming year (e.g., “update my knowledge of new diabetes treatments” or “improve my communication skills with palliative patients”). Then list the CPD activities that can help you get there (such as specific courses, conferences, reading, or practice changes). Completing a well-thought-out PDP not only gives you up to 5 CPD hours credit, but also serves as a roadmap for the rest of your CPD activities. Use your PCS’s PDP template or tools if available. Remember to revisit and update your PDP mid-year and towards year-end – your goals may evolve as you complete activities.
3. Undertake a Practice Review project (audit or quality improvement). If you are engaged in clinical practice, plan to carry out at least one practice review activity (around 10 hours) during the year. This could be a clinical audit, a quality improvement project, or another practice evaluation. Choose a topic that is meaningful for your work – perhaps an audit of hypertension management in your clinic, or a QI project to reduce waiting times in your department. Aim to start this project early, or at least define it in the first quarter of the year. Many doctors find it helpful to do the data collection or initial phase in the summer, implement changes by autumn, and then measure results before the year ends. Completing this not only satisfies the requirementfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl, but also improves your practice. If you’re not actively practising (e.g. in an academic or administrative role), you can skip this, but practising doctors must include a practice review as part of their 50 hours. Don’t leave it until last minute – audits and QI projects often take longer than expected!
4. Engage in Work-Based Learning (WBL) throughout the year. At least 15 of your CPD hours should come from work-based learning activities, so it’s wise to accumulate these gradually. Keep a simple journal or use your PCS online platform to record WBL moments. For example, after an interesting case or a complication, spend a few minutes reading guidelines or discussing with a colleague – that’s a learning activity. Attending regular clinical meetings, grand rounds, or case conferences can also count. The key is to document it: note the date, what you did (e.g., “Neurology MDT meeting – discussed 3 complex cases, learned about new treatment protocol for MS”), and what you learned. Aim for roughly 1–2 hours of WBL per month. This not only gets you to the required 15+ hours of WBL, but also reinforces a habit of reflective practice. Tip: Many PCS platforms have a section for “Personal/Work-Based learning” where you can log these entries – try to update it every week or two while events are fresh in mind.
5. Accumulate at least 20 hours of Accredited CPD. Plan your formal education for the year to ensure you hit the 20-hour accredited CPD minimum. This typically includes conferences, workshops, courses, diplomas, webinars or e-learning modules that are accredited for CPD points. Early in the year, identify a few relevant events – for instance, your specialty’s annual conference (which might give 6-12 hours), some evening workshops, or online courses. If you can, spread these out rather than cramming all in one go; that way your learning (and CPD compliance) is more balanced. However, if a single conference covers a big chunk of hours, that’s fine too. Just remember to obtain proof of attendance (certificates) and ensure the activities are accredited by a recognized body (in Ireland or abroad). Generally, if an event is approved for CPD by a college or medical training body, it counts – but if in doubt, confirm with your PCS. By the end of the year, you should have at least 20 hours in this category – many doctors will exceed this, which is okay, but keep in mind you can’t carry over surplus hours to the next yearfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl.
6. Track and document all your CPD activities. Good record-keeping is essential. Use the PCS online portal to log activities as you complete them – don’t wait until the last minute. For each activity, record the date, category (External/Accredited, WBL, etc.), and hours/credits, and upload evidence if available. Keep a personal folder (physical or digital) for certificates from conferences, proof of e-learning completion, audit reports, etc. The Medical Council now requires doctors to retain evidence of CPD for 6 yearsfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl, so maintain your records in an organized way (for example, a binder or a dedicated folder on your computer). This makes it easy if you’re selected for verification or audit by your scheme. Regularly updating your CPD diary also lets you see progress toward 50 hours – which can be motivating or a wake-up call if you’re falling behind. Aim to log activities monthly or at least quarterly. By December/January, you should be reviewing your CPD log to identify any shortfalls while you still have time to fix them. And remember, plan to meet around 50 hours, but not excessively beyond – any extra hours you do cannot be rolled over to the next year’s requirementfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl.
7. Cover all the Domains of Good Professional Practice (over 3 years). The new framework asks that over a three-year span, your CPD touches on each of the Eight Domains of Good Professional Practice at least oncefile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl. These domains include: Patient Safety and Quality of Care, Communication and Collaboration, Management (including Self-Management), Scholarship (knowledge & skills), Professionalism, Clinical Skills, etc. While you don’t need to cover all eight every single year, it’s smart to be mindful of them in your CPD planning. For example, if all your activities are clinical or technical, consider doing something in an “non-clinical” domain like communication (workshop on breaking bad news), management (a leadership course), or health advocacy (attending a seminar on healthcare policy) in one of the years. Your PDP is a good place to map out domain coverage: maybe focus on a few domains each year. By the end of three years, check that none of the eight domains have been neglected. This approach not only keeps you compliantfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl, but also ensures you are developing as a well-rounded professional.
8. Plan for life changes – use pro-rata rules and inform your PCS. If you know you will be taking extended leave during the year (maternity leave, a sabbatical, etc.) or if you end up needing time off unexpectedly, remember that pro-rata CPD adjustments are now part of the rulesfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl. Don’t panic – you won’t be required to do a full 50 hours if you were, say, on leave for half the year. What you should do is promptly notify your PCS of this change in circumstance (it’s actually required to inform them of material changes)file-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl. The scheme can then advise you on your adjusted target for the year – for example, they might say, “Aim for ~30 hours instead of 50 given your 4-month leave.” With that in mind, you can focus on the most important CPD activities during the time you are active. Keep documentation (e.g., a letter confirming your leave) just in case. And if you enroll in a scheme partway through the year, the same pro-rata principle applies. The key is communication: engage with your scheme early so you know where you stand. This will help you allocate your effort properly and avoid stress. Remember, the new flexibility is there to support youfile-ufkcsuxqtxbp1qtvdmtxxl – use it when needed.

By following these steps, Irish doctors can confidently navigate the new CPD requirements. The 50-hour target, spread across specific categories, is very achievable with a bit of planning and steady progress. The payoff isn’t just staying compliant – it’s also engaging in continuous professional development that genuinely benefits your career and your patients. Plan, act, and track your CPD through the year, and you’ll find meeting the 50-hour requirement to be a smooth process under the 2025 MPC framework. Good luck!