Reflective Continuing Professional Development (RCPD)
Supporting lifelong learning for veterinary professionals
What is RCPD and why does it matter?
RCPD (Recognised Continuing Professional Development) is a requirement for all qualified professionals to maintain their registration with AVPRC.
Registered Allied Veterinary Professionals (AVPs) must complete at least 40 hours of CPD every two years. The only exemption applies to students who are actively studying at least part-time in an AVPRC-approved animal healthcare qualification.
RCPD ensures you stay current, capable, and confident in your role. More than just logging hours, it is about purposeful learning that aligns with your goals, supports your growth, and ultimately improves outcomes for patients and clients.
Key points to know:
RCPD is required for all registered AVPs
Almost any type of learning can count, as long as it is relevant and you reflect on it
The process is flexible and can be tailored to your role, goals, and learning style
You don’t need to attend conferences or complete formal courses to meet your RCPD (though you can). What matters most is that your learning is intentional, meaningful, and documented.
How RCPD Works
RCPD isn’t just about clocking hours — it’s about engaging in meaningful learning that supports your practice. The four steps below guide you through a simple, flexible process that puts your professional development in your own hands.
Plan
Identify your learning needs and set goals based on your current role, future aspirations, or gaps in knowledge or skill. A short RCPD plan helps keep your learning intentional and focused.
Do
Complete your chosen activities — whether formal or informal. These could include courses, mentoring, reflective discussion, reading, or case-based learning. Almost anything can count, as long as it supports your professional development.
Reflect
Think about what you learned and how it applies to your role. Reflection is what turns an experience into learning. Even brief notes on what changed in your thinking or practice can meet this requirement.
Store
Keep a record of your learning and reflections. Use the AVPRC RCPD template or your own format. These records support your professional growth — and may be needed if you're selected for audit.
Tip: RCPD is most powerful when it’s flexible and personal.
You don’t need to follow a rigid format — just show that your learning is planned, purposeful, and reflected on.
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No. You only need to keep your records up to date in case you’re selected for audit. We recommend completing and saving your RCPD documentation at least annually.
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We recommend 40 hours over a 2 year period however this is flexible. What matters is that your learning is purposeful, aligns with your RCPD plan, and is reflected on. Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.
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Almost any activity can count — reading, mentoring, teaching, discussion, attending workshops — as long as it supports your development as an Allied Veterinary Professional and is linked to learning goals.
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Yes. You can include any relevant learning completed during your current RCPD cycle, even if you documented it retroactively — just be sure to reflect on it.
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If you’re audited and your records are incomplete or unclear, we’ll give you an opportunity to update them. We understand that life happens — the process is supportive, not punitive.
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No. You can use any format that works for you, as long as it captures the four key steps: Plan, Do, Reflect, Store.
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Yes — if they support your role as an AVP. Activities like mindfulness, communication workshops, or stress management training can be included if they relate to your professional development goals.
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Use your professional judgment and link it back to your RCPD plan. If you’re still unsure, feel free to contact AVPRC for guidance.
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Enrolled students in veterinary nursing or technology qualifications (regardless of whether they are currently qualified and registered) are exempt from annual CPD requirements during the years they are studying, as long as they are enrolled at least part time in a formal AVPRC approved vet nursing/technology qualification. Just save/upload a proof of your enrolment in place of your CPD for that year.
Resources
Explore these additional resources that help build knowledege around planning, goal setting, and reflecting.
Goal setting and systems by James Clear.
Support and Contact
RCPD is designed to support your growth — not stress you out. If you have questions about what counts, how to document your learning, or what to do if you’re audited, we’re happy to assist.
Whether you’re new to RCPD or simply want to check you’re on track, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Quick Tip: If you're looking for help with planning your CPD, we recommend starting with the RCPD Plan Template and Examples of Suitable CPD above.
What Counts as CPD?
RCPD is flexible because veterinary professionals learn in many ways — through doing, discussing, reading, writing, teaching, mentoring, or managing. Almost any learning can count — if it’s relevant and reflected on. What matters most is that your learning:
Aligns with your RCPD plan or professional goals
Enhances your knowledge, skills, or professional effectiveness
Is reflected upon (briefly or in depth)
Below are examples of activities that can count toward your RCPD. These are non-exclusive — you're encouraged to include a mix of formal and informal learning that best suits your role, interests, and learning style.
Click each heading to expand examples and guidance.
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Includes formal learning activities such as lectures, conferences, webinars, seminars, and hands-on workshops — delivered in person or online. Study toward a relevant qualification (e.g., diploma or degree) also qualifies. To count, the activity should relate to your RCPD plan and support learning that contributes to your role as an AVP. Interactive formats are encouraged for the strongest outcomes.
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Includes structured one-on-one learning such as coaching, mentoring, or clinical instruction, as well as participation in a study group. These activities should be intentional, planned, and guided by your learning needs — not incidental. Both receiving and providing mentorship can count if it contributes to professional growth and is reflected upon.
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Teaching or presenting at a tertiary level or equivalent, including instructing in workshops, speaking at conferences, or facilitating professional learning sessions. Planning and preparing these activities also count. The key is that the teaching process deepens your own learning through research, reflection, or engagement with others.
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Writing textbooks, articles, or educational content intended for publication or teaching. This counts as CPD when it involves researching a topic, reflecting on your knowledge, and developing ideas or resources that enhance your own understanding. Peer reviewing content for publication counts as well.
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Includes clinical rounds, case debriefs, peer feedback, teamwork discussions, and case-based reflection. These must be intentional learning opportunities — not routine discussions — and should be linked to learning goals and supported with brief notes or reflection.
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Reading professional journals, textbooks, or course materials, or viewing non-interactive videos or podcasts. While valuable, these activities are most effective when linked to a learning goal and supported with a brief summary or reflection. AVPRC encourages combining private study with other more interactive forms of learning.
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Learning that strengthens your personal or interpersonal effectiveness — including stress management, leadership, communication, conflict resolution, time management, and client care. These topics support wellbeing and professional resilience, especially when aligned to your RCPD goals.
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Includes skills related to running or supporting a veterinary practice — such as planning, financial literacy, supervision, risk management, marketing, operations, or IT systems. These support safe, ethical, and efficient work environments and may be highly relevant for leadership or management roles.
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Participation in committees, standards groups, or leadership roles — or mentoring and coaching others — can count if you gain professional insight or skill and reflect on the learning. Attendance at relevant meetings (e.g., ethics committees, standards panels) may also qualify when learning occurs.
Templates and Tools
Make it easy to plan, reflect, and record your learning.
You’re welcome to use your own RCPD format — but to help you get started, AVPRC provides downloadable templates and examples to guide your professional development.
These tools are optional but recommended to help structure your learning and make audit preparation simple.
Audit Process
A small number of registrants are selected for RCPD audit each year to support quality and consistency in professional development.
Audits are not punitive — they are a supportive way to ensure the system is working, and that learning is happening in meaningful ways.
Here’s what you need to know:
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To uphold professional standards
To support continuous improvement
To provide accountability across the register
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Your most recent RCPD log or record
Brief notes or reflections showing what you learned
Your RCPD plan, if available
You don’t need a perfect portfolio — just a record that shows planned, relevant learning that has been reflected upon.
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Keep your RCPD log up to date
File your learning evidence as you go (certificates, notes, reflections)
Use the AVPRC templates or your own format
If you’re selected, we’ll guide you through the process and support you to meet the requirements.
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Need support?
If you’re unsure about the process or how to prepare, contact us at info@avprc.org.nz
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These common queries may help clarify how RCPD works in practice. If you’re ever unsure, we encourage you to reach out — we’re here to support you.