I am recording my CPD activity for my employer – do I have to duplicate this for the CII scheme?
Answer. No. The new scheme and online tool is designed to keep the recording of CPD as simple as possible. As long as your CPD meets the requirement of the CII’s CPD scheme we are happy to accept records from employers, other professional bodies or any regulator (e.g FSA).
I haven’t been able to record my CPD recently because I have just changed jobs and have been too busy to go on courses or attend local institute lectures. What can I do?
Answer. When you change jobs you are constantly learning and developing. The new learning can be used as a basis for your CPD. CPD is not always about going on ‘courses’ and there is a comprehensive range of potential ways in which you can plan activity to ensure you are enhancing competence and developing professionally.
I already use an online recording system/I don't have access to the internet
Answer. Use of the CII's online planning and recording tool is not compulsory. It has been designed to make the process of CPD as easy as possible for those who choose to use it. Submission of alternative logs is still accepted by the CII provided they meet the principles of the CII scheme. There is also a paper version of the log available for those people who wish use it.
The credits allocated to things like training courses and seminars don't include any reference to the length of time taken to complete. Surely this is unfair?
Answer. The CII no longer uses a time based approach to CPD. It is important to assess what activity is relevant to the development need and objective identified. The time taken to achieve the required knowledge or skill is not important - only that the learning or development has taken place.
Are there any checks on organisations which claim their events count as CII CPD?
Answer. The CII offers an accreditation service to training providers, event organisers and employer training programmes (CII Training Advisory Service) which involves evaluating the training event or training course, ensuring that it is of an appropriate quality. These events should only be recorded as CPD if the content is relevant to the individual's development. The CII has a list of such accreditations on its website ( www.cii.co.uk)
Why is there no difference in the scheme’s requirements for the different levels of qualification?
Answer. The CII’s CPD scheme is ‘self-certifying’ and places the responsibility for CPD development and completion with the individual. Only the individual and/or their employer can determine what activity is right for them. All activity needs to be appropriate to someone’s level of capability and experience. The credit amounts are therefore allocated irrespective of the learning level of content. The credits are awarded for the type of development activity, i.e. a training course aimed at someone with an Advanced Diploma qualification carries the same number of credits as a course aimed at someone with a Certificate in Insurance. The course objectives and learning outcomes for each would be significantly different.
If I accumulate more than 100 credits in a year can I carry them forward?
Answer. No. Development activity has to be current and relevant to changing needs and requirements.
How much CPD activity do I need to do if I work on a part-time basis?
Answer. The CPD requirements for part-time and full-time workers are the same. The key requirement is to maintain competence and ensure knowledge is up-to-date at all times. In addition, the CII scheme actively encourages further professional development which may or may not be related to the current role.
I am no longer employed in the financial services and insurance industry and am unable to conduct CPD activity
Answer. The new CPD scheme is part of our overall drive to raise professional standards within the Insurance & Financial Services industry and its requirements form an important part of our members’ Code of Ethics & Conduct which was issued in January 2005.
The scheme’s priority objective is to ensure that qualified members are keeping their insurance & financial services knowledge up to date and importantly that they are conducting developmental activity which is relevant to them. Some of the activities you already engage in connection with your current role may be equally appropriate to the membership designation you hold and can therefore be recorded as such. However, a proportion of your activity must directly relate to financial services to enable use of your designation in any capacity.
Your qualification will remain unaffected by any CPD requirement, however if you are unable to comply with the CPD scheme it will affect your ability to use a professional membership designation.
I am no longer employed/on long-term sick leave. What do I have to do?
Answer. The scheme’s priority objective is to ensure that qualified members are keeping their insurance & financial services knowledge up to date. If however, you are not engaged in any employment activity and are not using the professional membership designation in any capacity there will be no requirement on your part to comply with the CPD scheme for the time being.
As and when you return to the financial services sector you will be able to resume development activity in line with the scheme at that point.
I qualified a long time ago/before CPD was a requirement and do not agree that I should be asked to do it.
Answer. The new CPD scheme is part of our overall drive to raise professional standards within the Insurance & Financial Services industry and its requirements form an important part of our members’ Code of Ethics & Conduct which was issued in January 2005.
The scheme’s priority objective is to ensure that qualified members are keeping their insurance & financial services knowledge up to date. The CII's requirements are not intended to create duplication of effort. Most people already do a significant amount of CPD activity and this can be used on your logs for both the employer/regulator and the PFS/CII. It is absolutely essential that we strive to raise standards and along with most other professional bodies CPD is a fundamental part of restoring the consumers/governments/regulators faith in our industry.
Your qualification of Associate or Fellowship level will remain unaffected by any CPD requirement. However if you are unable to comply with the CPD scheme it will affect your ability to use either the ACII or FCII professional membership designation.
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