Understanding the Updated Mainpro+® Program Requirements
On December 16, 2024, the CFPC will be introducing changes to Mainpro+ in addition to a refreshed CPD platform. Learn more about the changes below.
Reducing Credit Categories
The CFPC will be changing its classification of eligible CPD activities by consolidating the previous six activity grid categories into three. This will clarify credit allocation and streamline credit entry.
View the full list of eligible activities
Required Certified Assessment Credits
Members will be required to claim a minimum of 10 Certified Assessment credits over a five-year cycle. This change aligns with priorities set by our medical regulatory authorities, who are focusing on practice improvement. By incorporating these requirements in Mainpro+, we're aiming to help you meet these expectations, while minimizing any extra work or duplication of effort.
How to earn Certified Assessment Credits
We understand that this is an additional requirement, and we’re committed to providing a variety of easily-accessible options, including activities you may already be doing. Participants can complete Certified Assessment activities from any provider, with a wide range of options available, in addition to those offered by the CFPC. Here are a few examples of activities which are eligible for Certified Assessment credits:
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Publishing an article
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MCC360
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Medical regulatory authority (MRA) quality/practice improvement programs
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Professional Learning Plan: This is free for CFPC members, allowing participants to claim up to 20 Certified Assessment credits
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Linking Learning Exercises: These are free for CFPC members and can be used to reflect on the impact of activities you do every day, including teaching, research and literature reviews (including UpToDate searches), earning five Certified Activity credits per reflective exercise
There are also activities that allow you to claim a combination of Certified and Certified Assessment credits. For example:
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Examiner for medical exams
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Advanced Life Support courses
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Accreditation surveyor
What You Need to Know Now
New: Mainpro+ Blackout Periods
As we work on migrating to the new system, designed to enhance your experience and streamline our services, please be advised that access to Mainpro+ will be temporarily unavailable from November 12, 2024, until the launch of the new platform on December 16, 2024.
During this period participants will be unable to access the Mainpro+ platform. This includes, but is not limited to, adding CPD activities, creating or editing Professional Learning Plans, or printing and downloading transcripts.
What do you need to do?
While all your information currently in Mainpro+ will be migrated automatically to the new system, we recommend that you download your CPD credit summary report and detailed transcript before November 12th, to make sure you have access to these documents during the blackout period.
Important reminder for Quebec members
Mainpro+ activities and hours cannot be added or modified in the platform during this time. The transfer of Mainpro+ hours to CMQ will resume on December 16th when you log into CMQ. We recommend you log into the CMQ platform before November 12th to make sure your account is up to date. As a reminder, Quebec members have until March 31, 2025, to transfer all their hours to the CMQ for the 2024 calendar year.
We acknowledge that this is a new change. The CFPC is in your corner and we are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Sunsetting of two- and three-credit-per-hour certification
We’re making it easier for busy family physicians to earn extra credits depending on their schedules by sunsetting two- and three-credit-per-hour activities and switching to a new Optional Enhanced Activities model. As of December 2024, all activities will earn one credit per hour, and some programs will offer optional activities for extra credit. By ensuring fairness and respecting physicians' time, we are facilitating more manageable and more meaningful participation in continuing professional development.All two- and three-credits-per-hour activities migrated into the new system will have an expiry date of December 31, 2025, at the latest. This means you can continue to participate in two- and three- credit-per-hour programs until December 31, 2025. Please refer to your certificate of participation to confirm the number of credits you can claim in Mainpro+.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is the CFPC sunsetting two- and three-credit-per-hour certification?
The CFPC is sunsetting the two- and three-credit-per-hour system after eight years because we've observed that:
- Providers are developing fewer of these activities
- Members are sometimes unable to complete all the required elements, preventing them from claiming certified credits for the work they completed.
To address these challenges and help you maximize the credits you earn, we’re introducing a new system of Optional Enhanced Activities. This system allows you to earn extra credits by completing optional activities that fit into your schedule. Starting December 2024, all activities will earn one credit per hour with providers having the ability to include optional enhancements for extra credit.
All existing two- and three-credit-per-hour activities will be valid until their expiration date or December 31, 2025, whichever is sooner. Be sure to check your certificate of participation to confirm the number of credits you can claim in Mainpro+. -
Can I earn credits through UpToDate?
Yes. You can continue to use UpToDate to earn Certified Credits in the same way as you do now. You can also reflect on the impact of your literature review using the Linking Learning to Practice exercise, which entitles you to an additional five Certified Assessment credits.
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What is the rationale behind the simplification of credit categories?
Consolidating the credit categories from six to three will allow for:
- Clearer credit allocation
- Streamlined credit entry on the Mainpro+ platform
- Optimized progress tracking
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Are there any new CPD activities that I can claim credits for in the new system?
Yes, we recognize that CPD is always changing and evolving. In the new system you will be able to claim non-certified credits for real life learning opportunities such as consultations with a colleague, online discussions, or coaching and mentoring. Additionally, you can claim two credit types (Certified and Certified Assessment) for some activities, such as advanced life support (ALS) courses, that incorporate assessment elements.
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Why has the CFPC introduced the mandatory requirement for 10 Certified Assessment credits for each five-year cycle?
The change to require 10 Certified Assessment credits over a five-year cycle aligns with priorities set by our medical regulatory authorities, who are focusing on practice improvement. Recent studies show that there is evidence supporting the impact and importance of CPD activities that drive learning and behaviour change through reflection on data and various types of feedback on a physician’s practice.
Assessment activities have already been shown to be a valuable source of CPD for Mainpro+ participants across the country. Recent assessment credit submissions by participants demonstrate an increasing demand for assessment activities—about 8,000 activity submissions by participants in 2020/21, and 11,000 submissions in 2021/22. -
How many assessment credits are necessary for compliance?
Mainpro+ participants will be required to claim a minimum of 10 Certified Assessment credits. Under regular circumstances, participants will have a five-year cycle to fulfill this requirement.
The CFPC is committed to making sure participants have access to Certified Assessment activities to support them in meeting this requirement. In addition to working with CPD providers across the country to encourage and support the development of Certified Assessment activities, the CFPC has developed several assessment activities that are free and accessible to CFPC members.
If you have any questions regarding Certified Assessment credit compliance, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-387-6197, ext. 560, or at [email protected]. We are in your corner and here to support you. -
How often will I need to satisfy the requirement for Certified Assessment credits?
Generally, all Mainpro+ participants are required to claim 10 credits within a five-year cycle.
However, when the requirement is introduced, Mainpro+ participants who are already partially through their five-year cycle—with one to four years remaining—will only need to fulfill a reduced or pro-rated requirement equivalent to two Certified Assessment credits per remaining year of their cycle.
For example, a participant with three years remaining in their five-year cycle would only be required to complete six Certified Assessment credits during the remainder of that cycle. A member with only one year remaining in their five-year cycle when the requirement is introduced would only require two Certified Assessment credits.
If you have any questions regarding Certified Assessment credit compliance, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-387-6197, ext. 560, or at [email protected]. We are in your corner and here to support you. -
What are the various methods available for meeting the required assessment credits?
There are multiple ways to fulfill this credit requirement, including:
Professional Learning Plan (PLP): Earn up to 20 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits. The PLP tool provides step-by-step guidance to identify learning needs, offers new opportunities for practice improvement, and helps you plan CPD goals.
Linking Learning Activities: Earn five Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits per exercise. Linking Learning Activities allow you to earn Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits by reflecting on learning that occurs during conferences, seminars, and courses, as well as during your daily work such as interactions with peers, teaching, research, journal reading, etc.
Other Mainpro+ Certified Assessment activities and combined learning activities: The CFPC continues to work with CPD providers to support the development of Mainpro+ Certified Assessment activities. Starting in December 2024, Mainpro+ users can claim both Certified and Certified Assessment credits for activities such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) courses, or being an examiner for certification exams, which have incorporated assessment components. -
With the launch of the new system, will my cycle dates be reset? Will all my credits be carried over?
Your current cycle dates and all of your existing credits will be transferred into the new system with the launch of the new platform in December 2024.
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My practice is unique and my CPD does not consist of conferences. How can I claim credits for the learning I do?
The Linking Learning suite of activities allows Mainpro+ users to claim credits for nearly any type of learning opportunity—learn more about these activities. If you are still not sure about how to claim your credits, contact our Mainpro+ coordinators at 1-800-387-6197, ext. 560, or at [email protected]. We are here to help!
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Can I still claim credits for Royal College MOC Section 1 or Section 3 activities?
Yes. Many aspects of the Mainpro+ requirements will stay the same including your ability to claim up to 50 Mainpro+ Certified credits for Royal College MOC Section 1 credits or Certified Assessment credits for Royal College MOC Section 3 credits.
