We are simplifying the certification process and activity categories by replacing two- and three-credit-per-hour certification with a new model of Optional Enhanced Activities. All activities will be certified at one credit per hour with the ability to earn additional credits by adding optional elements to CPD programs.

This gives you the opportunity to customize programs and extend and reinforce learning.

We’ve been listening to providers and understand that some CPD activities are more longitudinal in nature. In recognition of this we have extended certification periods for specific activities.

• Certified Activities – 12 months
• Certified Assessment Activities – 36 months
• Faculty Development Activities (either Certified or Certified Assessment) – 36 months

We are simplifying the original Quality Criteria Framework to enhance your delivery of CPD activities, allowing them to be more inclusive, reflective, and thoughtful for participants. The new criteria will still include requirements and standards but we’ve made it easier to understand and follow by offering reader-friendly compliance examples and simplified language.

The improved Quality Criteria Framework addresses:

1. Needs Assessment and Practice Relevance
2. Active Learning, Engagement, and Program Format
3. Incorporation of Evidence
4. Evaluation and Outcome Assessment

Note: There will be one set of criteria each for Certified Activities and Certified Assessment Activities.

No. Enhanced activities are optional add-ons for participants and providers. They do not need to be included in an application. They are simply a tool that can be implemented if providers are seeking ways to extend learning for their participants. The same goes for participants—they have the choice to accept or decline participating in the enhanced learning activities.

The scientific planning committee (SPC) and the CPD provider are responsible for determining when participants should complete activity requirements to optimize learning. All components of a program must be completed within the certification period.

No. With only minimal tweaks, most CPD providers should be able to submit similar applications for two- and three-credits-per-hour activities. Please confirm by reviewing the Quality Criteria program design and delivery requirements for Certified Assessment Activities, https://www.cfpc.ca/en/understanding-mainpro-certification.

Yes, program applications must be submitted by October 17, 2024. Ethical review submissions will be accepted until November 6, 2024.

Programs approved as Certified Activities on or after December 16, 2024, will have a certification period of 12 months from the date of approval.

Programs approved as Certified Assessment Activities will have a certification period of 36 months from the date of approval.

Faculty development activities, whether they are Certified or Certified Assessment, will have a certification period of 36 months from the date of approval.

All migrated active programs will retain their original expiration dates.

**A reminder that all two- and three-credits-per-hour programs will have expiration dates no later than December 31, 2025. **

This varies, based on provincial or national certification:

• Provincial Certification: at least one Practising class CFPC member from the province/territory of program delivery
• National Certification: at least two Practising class CFPC members

CERT+ goes offline as of November 13, 2024, and no changes can be made to the system between then and December 16, 2024.  Please email [email protected] with proposed updates or changes to an approved session. While we will attempt to accommodate, we cannot guarantee that requests will be approved.

No, the CFPC is unable to issue refunds for programs not approved before the blackout period starts. We encourage CPD providers to submit complete applications with required documentation as soon as possible. Once submitted and paid—by credit card for timely processing—providers will want to: 1) immediately follow up with SPC members to confirm participation; 2) respond to feedback as soon as possible to facilitate the review process.

No, the CFPC will not be backdating programs approved after the blackout period.

The SPC member must confirm their involvement before a program application can be approved. For unique situations, please contact the CFPC office for further details.

No changes will be required to host sessions after December 16, 2024; however, the CFPC will not be backdating sessions for any hosted during the blackout period. Although ethical review will no longer be required as of December 16, 2024, sessions still need to be submitted and are subject to audit. Should the activity be found to be in violation of the certification standards, the CFPC will be in touch with next steps. To learn more, please read Standard 8.0 Audits and Addressing Mainpro+ Certification Policy or Procedure Violations of the updated standards, https://www.cfpc.ca/en/understanding-mainpro-certification.

If you are hosting a session between October and the end of December 2024, be sure to submit copies of the sessions well before November 6, 2024.

Sessions that require ethical review and are not already approved will not be migrated into the new system. Submit the copies of the session materials early to allow sufficient review time. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

All eligible and active provider organization accounts will be migrated to the new system. Some providers may be required to undergo the provider eligibility application process but this will be done at no cost to that provider. Individual users will receive an email communication with registration and login information when the new platform launches.

Documents are in development and will be made available via this landing page.

All activities will still require sessions. The only change is that none will go for ethical review. Sessions remain an important way of recording information about different instances tied to an activity. For example, the different dates of a webinar or in-person series, breakdown of hospital rounds, etc. Session IDs will also still be required for participants to claim credits.

Starting December 16, 2024, CPD providers will be asked to share their approach to EDI for each application. While no application will be rejected for not incorporating the EDI elements, we may send it back for more information to better understand and/or prompt EDI principles in future development.

No, not on their own. Applications seeking Certified Assessment activity credits “must include the review of and reflection on practice data relative to previously established standards, protocols, and norms.” Knowledge-based assessments alone, such as multiple-choice questions, are not sufficient forms of interactivity and engagement; they should be used in combination with other activities as part of a more comprehensive reflection upon practice. For more information, please see the Quality Criteria program design and delivery requirements for Certified Assessment Activities, https://www.cfpc.ca/en/understanding-mainpro-certification.

Examples of active learning for asynchronous online activities include: quizzes and multiple-choice questions built into online program content; Interactive, multi-scenario case exercises; game-based learning; immersive scenarios; and discussion boards. For more information, please review the updated certification standards, https://www.cfpc.ca/en/understanding-mainpro-certification. 

When offering two types of learning to participants, the certification period reflects the activity type with the longer duration. If it equals 50 per cent or more, the certification period will be 36 months.

CPD providers are responsible for determining when participants have completed the activity requirements and when they may receive their credits.

If any CPD provider has received support—in-kind and/or financial—from a for-profit organization, the activity is considered a for-profit funded activity.

If no funding or in-kind support is received but the activity is being developed by a for-profit organization, the activity is considered for-profit.