Continuing Professional

Development (CPD)
Policy

www.ciob.org
Introduction
As a Professional Body with a public benefit remit,
CIOB and its Board of Trustees have deemed that
all members of the Institute should undertake
Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which
maintains and extends currency of practice as
described in Rule 10 of the Rules and Regulations
of Professional Competence and Conduct.
Ideally, the process of CPD should be treated as cyclical rather than
the pursuit of certifications or hours of learning. It is important that
members take time to plan, undertake and reflect on their learning
throughout their career using the “Plan>Do>Review” approach to ensure
that learning has meaningful impact on their professional activities.
In addition to this self-directed professional development, the Board
of Trustees have stipulated that members should also take time to
examine and build upon their ethical practice through a process of
reflective learning.

What is CPD?
CPD
For the purposes of this policy, CPD is defined as learning activity which
maintains and extends a member’s occupational knowledge, skills and
professionalism to improve competence. This may be based on any
topic which members deem to be pertinent to their role.

CIOB CPD in Ethical Practice

For any occupation, applying ethics in practice is the hallmark of a true
professional. This means that ethics should inform your decision-making
in everything you do in the workplace. Therefore, any occupational
or technical learning or development activities must include ethical
consideration for best practice. CPD in ethical practice requires that
members reflect upon the ethical aspects of any learning they have
undertaken and how they have applied those in practice.

Competence
For the purpose of this policy, competence is defined as skills,
knowledge, experience and behaviours applied consistently, in practice,
over time to fulfil a defined role, function or activity.

What is the Benefit of CPD?

Undertaking regular CPD will benefit members, employers, clients and,
more importantly, the general public as users of the built environment.
In addition, it will enhance the image of our industry and will drive the
industry towards a professional status.
CPD in ethical practice will encourage members to think about the
health, safety and wellbeing of the users and creators of the built
environment.

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The Scope of this Policy
This policy covers all members’ obligations, with the exception of
RetMCIOB and RetFCIOB, to maintain and extend their professional
competence under the provisions of the Rules and Regulations of
Professional Competence and Conduct (in particular Rule 10 of the
Rules and Regulations of Professional Competence and Conduct).

By becoming a member of CIOB, you are agreeing to abide by CIOB’s

Rules and Regulations of Professional Competence and Conduct and
make a commitment to ongoing self-development.

In addition, the Policy outlines requirements for CPD in the field of

ethical practice and the evidence of this that will be requested at audit.

Reasonable Adjustments and Special

Considerations
Members may apply for reasonable adjustments regarding this CPD
policy in circumstances involving extended leave from professional
work. This could be due, but not limited, to parental or carer’s leave
or long-term illness. Consideration will be given to an exemption
upon notification from the member concerned at the earliest possible
opportunity. Members on long-term leave are not required to complete
CPD, but a one year forward plan is required upon return to practice.
Members engaged in part-time work need to be as competent as those
in full-time roles, so will need to keep up to date with CPD requirements.

What are the Requirements for CPD?

Members should undertake CPD which is relevant to their professional
role. In addition to this, all members must also complete CPD in ethical
practice and there follows a list (Figure 1) of indicative themes/content
which members could use to direct their learning.

Figure 1:

Indicative themes for CPD in ethical practice

Ethical Leadership and Leading people, leading organisations and leading the sector
Management ethically. Promoting ethical behaviour throughout your organisation.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion in construction, inclusive
and accessible design, social value and corporate social
responsibility, respect, fair trade and ethical employment practices.

Ethical Standards Commitment to meet standards that improve the quality of life for
those who create and use the built environment.
Tackling Modern Slavery and labour exploitation, bribery and
corruption, improving access to the built environment. Using
transparent business practices. Promoting cultural change, ethical
behaviours and codes of practice.
Whole life safety and quality in construction.

Supporting Social, Promoting sustainability of the built environment and construction

Environmental and process for public benefit, through technology or modern methods
Economic Sustainability of construction.

Promoting Improved Health, Improving the life of those who create and use the built
Safety and Wellbeing environment.

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How is CPD in Ethical Practice Measured?
Whilst the central focus is on reflective CPD, for the purposes of
measurement each CPD activity will have a points allocation (Figure
2). Members will be required to undertake a minimum of 10 points
under the theme of ethical practice in each subscription year. If called
to provide evidence, members will be required to provide a reflective
account of their learning and how they have applied it in practice. It
is advisable that members take the time to reflect upon their learning
at the earliest opportunity after its completion. A template for this
reflective account will be provided.

What Activities Count Towards CPD?

CPD activities in ethical practice may be formal or informal and
members should strive to achieve a balance.

Formal CPD is defined as structured learning which includes, but is not

limited to, formal courses or industry certifications and CIOB learning
materials.

Informal CPD is defined as unstructured learning which includes, but

is not limited to, mentoring either as a mentee or mentor, attendance
at events and conferences and volunteering and voluntary activities
related to your role.

Figure 2:

Ways to gain points

Self-Directed Learning Self-directed reading; research or other informal learning

(1 point per activity) relevant to your role or development plan.

Work-Based Learning Lunch and learn presentations; work demos; formal company
(2 points per activity) training; knowledge sharing; mentoring and coaching;
Professional Body activities such as Committee or Hub
activities; outreach work promoting construction.

Conferences and Seminars Participating in conferences, webinars, seminars or

(3 points per activity) roundtables; attending workshops for MCIOB or FCIOB.

Contribution to the Discipline Production of research; engaging in policy developments;

(5 points per activity) presenting at conferences, webinars or seminars.

Formal Learning Learning towards a formal qualification in the built environment,

(10 points per activity) such as a degree, Master’s degree or vocational qualification;
achieving MCIOB or FCIOB, CEnv or Proficient or Certified
Building Conservation specialist.

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Certifications and CPD
There are additional CPD requirements stipulated by CIOB Certification
Schemes, and all scheme members must follow the additional/directed
CPD as determined by the individual scheme.

If a scheme member is a CIOB member the specific learning carried out

for the scheme can count towards CPD in ethical practice or towards
general CPD that keeps you up-to-date with modern technologies/
methods etc.

CIOB Audit
CIOB audits a representative sample of members in each subscription
year.

Members of CIOB Working Groups, Panels, Committees and Boards

fulfil a vital function and bring great value to the Institute. Whilst we
understand that such work can contribute to their own development,
and that of their teams, this policy applies to all members without
favour.

CIOB will make all reasonable efforts to support the small number of
members who may, in exceptional circumstances, have difficulties in
meeting their requirements.

Failure to submit a record with sufficient content or points at audit may

result in a breach of Rule 10 of the Rules and Regulations of Professional
Competence and Conduct and make the member subject to disciplinary
proceedings.

Any questions on the audit process should be directed towards the

CIOB Governance team (cpdaudit@ciob.org.uk).

Confidentiality and Data Protection

CIOB regards any CPD records submitted and held by the Institute as
personal information for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018.