CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. It’s a record of what you experience, learn, and then apply. The importance of continuing professional development cannot be underestimated – CPD ensures your professional skills and knowledge are current and ensures that you maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills you need to deliver a professional service to your customers.

CPD became compulsory on 1 April 2015 for all veterinary paraprofessionals registered with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) with the first CPD cycle running from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018. The SAVC resolved to implement the full CPD requirements over a period of 6 years. This resolution sees different CPD requirements for veterinary paraprofessionals based on their year of registration with the SAVC. The table below has been taken from the SAVC document on CPD for veterinary paraprofessionals.

At the end of each CPD cycle, the SAVC will randomly select professionals who will need to submit proof of CPD compliance. It is the responsibility of each professional to ensure that he/she complies with the CPD requirements and keeps a record of all his/hers activities as well as evidence thereof.

Email cpd@savc.org.za for queries relating to CPD cycles and the allocation of points.