OT CPD: A Practical Guide to Continuing Professional Development for Occupational Therapists
OT CPD: A Practical Guide to Continuing Professional Development for Occupational Therapists
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an important part of working as an occupational therapist (OT). It helps practitioners maintain and develop the knowledge, skills and professional judgement needed to support people in changing situations and settings. CPD can be formal or informal, provided it contributes to professional learning and improves practice.
What does OT CPD involve?
OT CPD is the ongoing learning that occupational therapists undertake throughout their careers. It may relate to clinical practice, research, leadership, education, service development or another area relevant to an OT’s role. The aim is not simply to collect certificates, but to reflect on learning and consider how it can benefit practice and the people who use services.
CPD might include:
- attending a course, conference, webinar or professional event
- taking part in supervision, mentoring or peer discussion
- reading research, guidance or professional publications
- learning a new assessment approach or clinical skill
- contributing to a service evaluation or quality improvement project
- teaching, presenting or sharing knowledge with colleagues
- reflecting on a challenging case or an aspect of everyday practice
Why is CPD important for occupational therapists?
Occupational therapy spans a wide range of people, conditions and environments. Evidence, technology, legislation and service needs can change over time. Regular learning can help OTs keep their practice current, respond thoughtfully to new challenges and identify areas where further development may be useful.
CPD can also support career development. An OT may use learning to build expertise in a specialist area, move into management or education, strengthen research skills, or prepare for a different role. Just as importantly, reflective CPD can help practitioners recognise what is working well and where changes could improve the quality or safety of care.
Planning CPD around your role
A useful CPD plan starts with the needs of your practice. Consider the people you work with, the responsibilities of your role and any feedback or learning needs identified through supervision, appraisal or reflection. You could ask:
- What knowledge or skills would help me in my current role?
- Have changes in guidance, evidence or service delivery affected my practice?
- What feedback have I received from colleagues or people who use services?
- Is there an area of practice I would like to explore in more depth?
Set realistic goals and review them regularly. A plan does not need to be complicated: a learning objective, a suitable activity and a note about what you hope to apply can be enough to provide direction.
Making CPD meaningful
Learning is most useful when it is connected to practice. After an activity, take time to consider what you learned, whether it challenged any assumptions and how it might affect your work. You may decide to discuss the learning with a colleague, adapt an approach, share a resource with your team or identify a further question to investigate.
Not every CPD activity will lead to an immediate change. Some learning builds understanding over time, while other activities may confirm that your current approach is appropriate. Recording these outcomes helps show the value of CPD beyond attendance alone.
Keeping a CPD record
Maintaining a clear record makes it easier to review your development and prepare for professional discussions or regulatory requirements. For each activity, you might record:
- the date and type of activity
- the topic or learning objective
- what you learned
- how the learning relates to your role
- any impact on your practice or plans for further learning
Records should be concise, accurate and stored securely, particularly where reflections refer to workplace situations. Avoid including information that could identify a patient, client or colleague.
Professional requirements in the UK
Occupational therapists should check the current requirements of the regulator and professional bodies relevant to where they practise. In the UK, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) sets standards for registrants, including expectations relating to continuing professional development. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) also offers professional resources and development opportunities for its members.
Requirements and guidance can change, so consult the latest information published by the relevant organisation rather than relying on an old CPD template or advice intended for a different profession.
Building a sustainable CPD habit
CPD does not have to depend on expensive courses or large amounts of time. Short, regular activities—such as discussing a case in supervision, reading a relevant article or reflecting on feedback—can contribute to ongoing learning. A balanced approach can include formal training, workplace learning and independent study.
By choosing learning that is relevant, reflecting on its impact and keeping a thoughtful record, occupational therapists can make CPD a practical part of everyday professional life. The result is a stronger foundation for responsive, evidence-informed and person-centred practice.
Essential FAQs on CPD for Occupational Therapists in the UK
- What does CPD mean for occupational therapists?
- Why is continuing professional development important for occupational therapists?
- What are examples of CPD activities for occupational therapists?
- How many CPD hours do occupational therapists need to complete each year?
- What are the HCPC’s CPD requirements for occupational therapists?
- How should occupational therapists record and reflect on their CPD?
- What evidence can occupational therapists use to show they have completed CPD?
- Can workplace learning, supervision and self-study count as OT CPD?
- Where can occupational therapists find CPD courses and learning opportunities in the UK?
What does CPD mean for occupational therapists?
For occupational therapists, CPD means continuing professional development: the ongoing learning that helps them maintain and build the knowledge, skills and judgement needed for their work. It can include formal training, reading research, supervision, peer discussions and reflecting on practice. Effective CPD is more than attending courses; it involves considering what has been learned and how it can support safe, effective and person-centred practice.
Why is continuing professional development important for occupational therapists?
Continuing professional development (CPD) helps occupational therapists keep their knowledge and skills up to date as evidence, guidance and people’s needs change. It supports reflective, safe and effective practice, helping OTs identify areas for growth and apply new learning to their work. CPD can also contribute to career development and help practitioners meet the professional standards and regulatory requirements relevant to their role.
What are examples of CPD activities for occupational therapists?
Examples of CPD activities for occupational therapists include attending courses, conferences or webinars; reading research and professional guidance; taking part in supervision, mentoring or peer discussions; learning a new assessment or intervention technique; and contributing to research, service evaluation or quality improvement. Reflecting on cases, feedback or everyday practice can also support CPD. Choose activities that are relevant to your role, record what you learned and consider how it may influence your practice.
How many CPD hours do occupational therapists need to complete each year?
There is no set number of CPD hours that occupational therapists in the UK must complete each year. The HCPC does not specify a minimum annual total; instead, registrants are expected to undertake ongoing, relevant learning and meet its CPD standards across their registration cycle. Keep a record of your activities and reflect on how they support your practice, checking the latest HCPC guidance for current requirements.
What are the HCPC’s CPD requirements for occupational therapists?
The HCPC requires registered occupational therapists to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) that is continuous, relevant to their current or future scope of practice, and beneficial to the quality of their work and the people who use their services. Registrants must keep a record of their CPD and, when selected for audit, submit a profile showing how their learning meets the HCPC’s standards. Activities can include courses, supervision, reading, peer learning and reflective practice; there is no set number of hours or points. Check the HCPC website for the latest requirements and guidance.
How should occupational therapists record and reflect on their CPD?
Occupational therapists should keep a clear, up-to-date record of CPD activities, noting what they did, what they learned and how it relates to their role and practice. Reflection is just as important as recording attendance: consider whether the learning has changed or confirmed your approach, how it may benefit the people you support, and whether any further learning is needed. Records should be concise, confidential and in line with current HCPC requirements; check the latest guidance to ensure your portfolio meets the standards.
What evidence can occupational therapists use to show they have completed CPD?
Occupational therapists can use a range of evidence to show they have completed CPD, including certificates of attendance, course notes, reflective accounts, supervision records, feedback, presentations, research or reading notes, and examples of changes made to their practice. Evidence does not have to come only from formal training: workplace learning, peer discussion and self-directed study may also count. Keep a clear record of what you did, what you learned and how it relates to your work, while protecting confidential information. Check the latest HCPC guidance for the specific requirements that apply to your registration.
Can workplace learning, supervision and self-study count as OT CPD?
Yes. Workplace learning, supervision and self-study can all count as occupational therapy CPD when they support your professional development and are relevant to your practice. This might include discussing a case with a supervisor, learning a new approach from a colleague, reading research or reflecting on feedback. Keep a record of what you learned, how it relates to your role and whether it influenced your practice. Check the current HCPC CPD requirements and guidance to make sure your activities and records meet the standards.
Where can occupational therapists find CPD courses and learning opportunities in the UK?
Occupational therapists in the UK can find CPD opportunities through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), NHS and local employer training programmes, universities, specialist professional networks and reputable healthcare education providers. Conferences, webinars, peer learning, supervision and relevant research can also support professional development. Check that each opportunity suits your role and learning goals, and keep a record of what you learned and how it informs your practice.