CPD Program Certification
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The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) certifies continuing professional development (CPD) activities for Mainpro+® credit.
- The CFPC National Committee on Continuing Professional Development (NCCPD) oversees the regulation of Mainpro+ certification
- The CFPC’s Department of Continuing Professional Development and the CFPC Chapter offices administer the program
How does Mainpro+ certification work?
One or more family physicians review the programs that providers submit to ensure they adhere to established criteria and policies, and that content is relevant to family physicians.
Depending on the activity and the type of certification sought, programs might also be subject to ethical review (self-study online programs delivered in Canada, and programs funded without for-profit financial or in-kind support are exempt). This secondary evaluation ensures every time a CPD program is offered, it is conducted according to ethical standards and guidelines as established by the CFPC, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), and Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Innovative Medicines Canada).
Mainpro+ certification requirements*
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Planning committee requirements
- Appropriate scientific planning committee membership:
- Programs delivered in a single province require one active CFPC member from the province of delivery
- Nationally certified programs require three active CFPC members (two- and three-credit-per-hour programs, national online programs, programs delivered in more than one province, and programs delivered outside Canada)
- All scientific planning committee members must complete and submit conflict of interest forms.
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Ethical requirements
- The program’s design and delivery must comply with the ethical requirements of the CFPC, including the National Standard for Support of Accredited CPD Activities and the Canadian Medical Association’s Guidelines for Physicians in Interactions with Industry.
- Programs delivered in the province of Quebec must also comply with the Code of Ethics from the Conseil québécois de développement professionnel continu des médecins.
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Program design and delivery requirements
- Completion of an appropriate needs assessment. Refer to the Mainpro+ Certification Standards and Quick Tips: Needs Assessment.
- Inclusion of learning objectives for the program and for individual sessions (when applicable). Refer to Quick Tips: Writing Learning Objectives.
- Compliance of program design and delivery with the Mainpro+ Quality Criteria Framework.
- Program evaluation design that includes the mandatory CFPC evaluation questions.
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Documentation requirements
Providers must submit these documents with their application for review:
- Completed conflict of interest forms (Declaring and Disclosing Conflict of Interest), for all scientific planning committee members
- Completed CFPC conflict of interest slides
- Program brochure and/or invitation and/or agenda
- Completed program content (slide decks, workbooks, tools, resources, etc.), when applicable
- Needs assessment tools and results
- Evaluation format/forms
- Previous evaluation results (when applicable)
- Speaker communication template (when applicable)
- Copies of the sponsor product and corporate branding if the program has for-profit financial support
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Final steps
- Review the Mainpro+ certification application questions.
- Submit the Mainpro+ certification application using the online CERT+ application platform.
- Pay the application fee.
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Reminder
Program review commences once all CFPC scientific planning members have confirmed their involvement in the program’s development. Payment of the application fee does not guarantee Mainpro+ certification.
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Ethical review and guidelines
To ensure the focus of certified Mainpro+ CPD programming reflects the educational needs of family physicians—and not ancillary benefits such as meals, entertainment, and monetary rewards—the CFPC has instituted a formal ethical review process for all live certified Mainpro+ programs that have received for-profit financial or in-kind support and all activities delivered outside of Canada regardless of the type of support these programs receive.
CPD is an essential component of maintaining proficiency for family physicians. The CFPC recognizes there are many costs associated with planning, developing, and implementing educational events and programs. The CFPC and its local Chapters believe it is ethically acceptable for industry (pharmaceutical, biomedical, etc.) to contribute to CPD events as long as all contributions are at arm’s length and that all parties adhere to the guidelines presented in the Mainpro+ Certification Standards.
Ethical review ensures there’s compliance for the following items with CFPC certification standards and guidelines for ethical conduct as outlined by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Guidelines for Physicians in Interactions with Industry (2007) and the Innovative Medicines Canada Code of Ethical Practices (2016):
- Promotional materials, invitations to and correspondence with potential attendees, and all other published announcements
- Publicity in print or electronic media (including websites, blogs, email invitations, etc.)
- Session location or venue, meals, and entertainment or social events
- Costs to be assumed by attendees (e.g., registration and social events)
- Completed conflict-of-interest forms and slides for speakers at the session being reviewed
After receiving notification from the CFPC of program approval, but before offering an approved Mainpro+ program to physicians, planning providers must complete and submit the ethical review form along with ethical review fee payment using the CERT+ platform. Please allow at least 10 business days for the ethical review process.
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Establishing limits on meal expenses related to certified Mainpro+ events
In January 2017, the CFPC’s NCCPD approved maximum allowable costs associated with certified Mainpro+ sessions. Please refer to the Mainpro+ Certification Standards.
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How do I apply for Mainpro+ certification?
CERT+ is the CFPC’s online application system for Mainpro+ certification. CERT+ enables CPD providers to complete application forms online, upload all supporting documents, and make payments.
CERT+ allows providers to:
- Submit all application materials electronically (slide presentations, evaluations, etc.)
- Pay administrative fees online using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express
- Receive application status updates by email
- Respond quickly to reviewer feedback and questions online
- Track application progress online
- Complete ethical review submissions online
Mainpro+ certification application fees by program type
Program delivery |
Nationally certified programs (includes programs delivered outside Canada) |
Provincially certified programs |
||||
One credit per hour |
Two credits per hour |
Three credits |
One credit per hour |
Two credits per hour |
Three credits |
|
With for-profit support |
$850 |
$950 |
$1,050 |
$650 |
N/A |
N/A |
Without for-profit support |
$500 |
$600 |
$700 |
$450 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A: not applicable
*The CFPC strongly encourages program providers to review the Mainpro+ Certification Standards in detail before applying for Mainpro+ certification.
Related Resources
Quick Tips: Virtual Continuing Professional Development Activity Conversion and Development
Mainpro+® Certification Standards for Faculty Development Activities
A Guide to Using CERT+
Mainpro+ Certification at a Glance: Mainpro+ certification process overview to help program planners submit applications
Understanding Mainpro+ Certification
Mainpro+ Certification Application Questions (for reference only) - General Application
CFPC Planning Committee Job Aide: Guide for speakers in Mainpro+ certified events
National Standard for Support of Accredited CPD Activities (2018)
National Standard for Support of Accredited CPD Activities: FAQs for implementation
Quick Tips: Writing Learning Objectives: Mainpro+ certified programs and events guide for presenters and planning committee members
Quick Tips: Needs Assessments: Mainpro+ certified programs and events guide for planning committee members
Quick Tips: Identification and Management of Conflicts of Interest and Transparency to Learners: Reference guide for evaluating conflict of interest
Quick Tips for Speakers of Mainpro+ Certified Programs: Mainpro+ certified events speaker guide
Three-step Conflict of Interest Template: Mandatory submission with all Mainpro+ certified presentations
Conseil Québécois de développement professionnel continue des médecins (CQDPCM) Code of Ethics (2016)
International Academy for CPD Accreditation: Facilitates peer support for leaders of CPD/continuing medical education (CME) accreditation systems
Quick Tips: Guide for integrating patient perspectives into CPD activities for family physicians
Contact Mainpro+ certification
Local: (905) 361-8233
Toll-free: 1-866-242-5885
Email: [email protected]