CPE Requirements

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) should be delivered through structured educational activities that have clearly defined learning objectives, appropriate educational content, qualified personnel, reliable participation records, and appropriate evaluation processes.

The specific requirements applicable to a CPE activity may depend on its subject area, delivery method, provider, accreditation pathway, and any external professional or regulatory requirements.

Core CPE Requirements

A quality CPE activity should be designed and delivered through a structured educational process.

Depending on the applicable requirements, this may include:

Defined educational purpose and learning objectives
Relevant and appropriate educational content
Qualified instructors, faculty, or trainers
Appropriate educational delivery methods
Defined participation or completion requirements
Appropriate evaluation of the educational activity
Accurate CPE credit calculation
Reliable participant records
Appropriate certificate or completion documentation
Record retention and quality-assurance processes

Learning Objectives

Each CPE activity should have clearly defined learning objectives.

Learning objectives should communicate what participants are expected to learn, understand, develop, or demonstrate through the activity.

Objectives should be sufficiently clear to guide the development of educational content and, where applicable, the evaluation of learning outcomes.

Educational Content

CPE content should be relevant to the stated educational objectives and appropriate for the intended participants.

Providers should ensure that educational materials are accurate, current, appropriately structured, and suitable for the level and professional context of the learners.

Content should support meaningful learning rather than simply documenting attendance.

Qualified Instructors and Trainers

CPE activities should be delivered by individuals with appropriate knowledge, qualifications, experience, or professional expertise for the subject being taught.

Providers should maintain appropriate information about instructors, faculty, speakers, or trainers where such documentation is required.

Delivery Methods

CPE may be delivered through different educational formats, provided that the method is appropriate for the learning objectives and applicable requirements.

Examples may include:

Classroom-based education
Workshops and seminars
Conferences and educational sessions
Live online learning
Self-paced online learning
Distance education
Structured professional training

Providers should maintain appropriate controls to verify participation or completion according to the nature of the activity.

Participant Participation

Providers should establish a clear method for determining whether a participant has completed the requirements for the CPE activity.

Depending on the activity, participation may be documented through attendance records, registration systems, completion records, assessments, learning activities, or other appropriate evidence.

CPE Credit Calculation

The credit assigned to a CPE activity should be calculated using the applicable CPE or credit-hour framework.

Providers should maintain documentation supporting the credit value assigned to each activity.

Participants should verify whether the CPE credit awarded by a provider is accepted by the professional body, employer, licensing authority, credentialing organization, or regulator for which the credit is being claimed.

Evaluation of CPE Activities

CPE providers should evaluate their educational activities to determine whether they are achieving their intended purpose and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Evaluation methods may include:

Participant feedback
Course evaluations
Assessment of learning outcomes
Instructor or trainer review
Analysis of participation and completion data
Review of identified improvement opportunities

The evaluation approach should be appropriate to the type and purpose of the activity.

Participant Records

Accurate records should be maintained for participants completing qualifying CPE activities.

Records may include:

Participant name
Activity title
Date of participation or completion
Activity duration
CPE credit awarded
Provider information
Completion or attendance status
Certificate or other evidence of completion

CPE Certificates

Where certificates are issued, they should accurately identify the educational activity and the CPE credit or completion information associated with it.

Certificates should not contain unsupported claims concerning external licensing, regulatory, professional, or credentialing recognition.

Record Retention

CPE providers should establish appropriate procedures for maintaining educational and participant records.

Records should be retained for the period required by the applicable IABCET requirements or by any relevant external professional, regulatory, contractual, or organizational requirement.

Quality Assurance

CPE providers should maintain processes for reviewing and improving the quality of their educational activities.

Quality assurance may include regular review of educational content, instructor qualifications, learning objectives, participant feedback, completion records, assessment methods, and documented improvement actions.

Provider Responsibility

The provider is responsible for ensuring that information about its CPE activities is accurate and supported by appropriate documentation.

Providers should clearly communicate the activity’s educational purpose, learning objectives, participation requirements, credit value, and completion requirements.

External Requirements

CPE requirements can differ between professions, employers, licensing authorities, professional associations, credentialing organizations, and regulators.

An activity that qualifies as CPE under one framework may not automatically satisfy another organization’s continuing education requirements.

Professionals should therefore confirm the acceptance requirements of the organization to which they are required to report their continuing education.

Related CPE & CEU Information

Important Note

The requirements described on this page provide a general framework for CPE quality and documentation. Specific IABCET requirements, credit calculations, record-retention periods, and eligibility conditions should be established through the applicable current IABCET policies and procedures.

External professional or regulatory requirements may also apply and should be verified separately by the participant or provider.