My CPD Record guidance

There are a several ways in which you can approach planning, undertaking and evaluating your CPD, but we would like to share with you a four-step plan that makes this process simple – plan, act, record, reflect:

• Plan – consider your professional role and set your benchmark
• Act – address your learning and development needs
• Record – document your CPD activity
• Reflect – evaluate what you have learned

A CPD record should include the activity undertaken, its purpose, what was gained, your reflections on the benefits, and next steps. If you have multiple roles, specialisations or areas of interest, this should be reflected in your record. Below are a few examples:

• Example CPD record (PDF, 91KB)
• Example CPD record for classified roles (PDF, 131KB)
• Example CPD record for teachers (PDF, 122KB)
• Example CPD record for retirees (PDF, 89KB)

You can use the My CPD Record to document your CPD activities. For step-by-step guidance on how to record your learning activities, please view the guidance notes below.

We encourage you to use the new My CPD Record, but you are also free to use your own format to record your CPD. A simple spreadsheet with activities presented in a chronological order would suffice. If you already record your CPD on another platform or template, you may continue to do so – we do not expect you to duplicate your work. Please note, the IOP's My CPD tool accessed via the Career Development Hub will no longer be available from December 31 2024. 

Regardless of the format, the following must be included for each activity:

• What CPD activity have you undertaken?
• Which learning category does your activity fall under?:
  • Professional activity
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work-based learning
  • Formal/educational 
  • Informal learning
• Activity start date
• Activity completion date, where applicable
• Activity status: ongoing, repeated or completed
• Reflective questions - professional registration holders are required to answer all four questions below
  • Why did you choose this activity?
  • What did you learn as a result of this activity?
  • How did you and others benefit from you completing this activity?
  • As a result of this activity, what are your next developmental steps?

The IOP encourages members to undertake a broad range of CPD activities to enhance their learning. This can include reading journals and articles; learning from colleagues by sharing information and exchanging ideas; coaching and mentoring; volunteering and engaging in professional activities; attending conferences and undertaking online learning. Please view Continuing professional development | Institute of Physics to explore the full range of IOP CPD activities 

Your CPD record entries can be viewed in the summary section. You can also: 

• add a new entry 
• view an existing  entry 
• select the full CPD record to view and print (PDF/paper version)

Select 'Add entry' to record a CPD activity. See below for guidance on how to complete each entry.

Professional registration holders will need to complete all fields for each activity before submitting their CPD record, when requested by the Professional Registration team.

Reflective practice is an active method of considering your thoughts and actions. It is particularly useful for capturing learning from informal activities. It is a way of thinking meaningfully about activities and identifying progress, and turns your learning into CPD.

Briefly describe the CPD activity your are adding to your record. 

For example, Attended an AI conference.

You will need to select one from the five learning categories:

1. Professional activity
2. Self-directed learning
3. Work-based learning
4. Formal/educational 
5. Informal learning

Please select the date this CPD activity started.

If you know the activity completion date, in the past or future, please enter this when you first add a new entry, or you can add it at a later date.

Please select one of the three activity status options:

1. Ongoing - this includes any activity that is in progress, for example a course.
2. Repeated - this includes activities that you repeat, reading Physics World monthly, for example.
3. Completed - this is for activities that have already finished.

Why did you choose this activity?

Briefly explain how this activity supports your objectives.

Word limit: 300 words.

What did you learn as a result of this activity?

Briefly explain what you have learnt.

Word limit: 300 words.

How did you and others benefit from this activity?

Briefly explain how you have benefited, and if relevant, others.

Word limit: 300 words.

As a result of this activity, what are your next developmental steps?

Briefly explain your future learning, if applicable.

Word limit: 300 words.

You can view each saved CPD entry and have the option to edit or delete, as required. 

To view an entry, select 'View' from the My CPD Record summary.

You can edit content previously saved and/or add content not previously included. Select 'Save' once you have finished editing your entry. You can revisit each saved entry to edit as many times as you need.

To edit an entry, select 'View' from the My CPD Record summary, and then select 'edit'.

You can delete a CPD entry. You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete this entry before it is actioned. Deleting an individual CPD activity entry will will not delete the full record. Please note once an entry has been deleted it cannot be recovered.

To delete a CPD entry, select 'View' from the My CPD Record summary and then select 'Delete'.

Select 'Full CPD record' from the My CPD Record summary.

This will display all of your CPD entries in full. It will include all the reflective questions and help you identify those that are yet to be answered.

You can print your full CPD record. This will include your name and all of your CPD activity entries. It will not display any questions you have not answered.

To print to PDF (or paper version), please use your browser; below are the steps to print to PDF/paper from a browser:

1. Open the Print Dialog: Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) on your keyboard, or select 'Print' from your browser’s menu.
2. Select Save as PDF/local printer: In the print dialog, choose 'Save as PDF' or 'Microsoft Print to PDF' as the destination, or print using your local printer.
3. No need to adjust Settings: The CSS for the Print for My CPD Record will only print your record and no other webpage content. Please bear in mind this may not work fully on older browser versions.
4. Save the file: Click ‘Save’ and choose a location on your computer to save the PDF, if saving to PDF.

All data in My CPD Record is stored in accordance with GDPR regulations. Members can delete their records within My CPD Record, or request, in writing, for the Membership Department to undertake the task on their behalf. More information can be found in the IOP's Privacy notice and cookie policy.