Staying ahead: guidance on the new 2025-27 CPD cycle
Kate Furniss, Education and CPD Operations Manager, provides registrants with guidance around the new CPD cycle.
Keeping your knowledge and skills up to date is essential in any profession, but in eye care, it’s critical. With the shifting emphasis onto primary care, patients rely on optometrists and dispensing opticians more than ever to provide safe, effective care. That’s why Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a statutory requirement and why the new CPD cycle matters to you.
What You Need to Know
All fully qualified optometrists and dispensing opticians must complete CPD to maintain their registration. This ensures professionals stay current with advances in technology, treatments, and patient care. Whether you’re experienced or newly qualified, CPD helps you grow and adapt in an ever-evolving field.
CPD isn’t just a requirement, it’s an opportunity to develop and refine your skills. It aims to promote and embed a culture of learning, development, and improvement within the profession. By engaging in CPD, you’re not only meeting regulatory requirements but also strengthening your expertise and enhancing the quality of care you provide.
CPD is points-based and runs on a three-year cycle, with the new cycle running from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027. Most registrants must obtain 36 points over three years, averaging one point per month. Registrants with a prescribing specialty must earn an additional 18 specialty points. The full requirements are available on our website and in CPD: a guide for registrants.
The key is to engage with CPD throughout the cycle. Don’t wait until the last minute to accumulate your points! Instead, take advantage of opportunities as they arise. This approach not only makes the process smoother but also ensures that your learning is meaningful and directly benefits your practice.
Complete Your PDP
The first step in the cycle should be completing your Personal Development Plan (PDP). Your PDP helps you identify your strengths, areas for improvement, and the CPD activities that will be most valuable to your development. Taking a little bit of time today to complete your PDP can set you on the right track for the new cycle, and it’s easily completed using the online form in your MyCPD account (accessed via MyGOC).
How to Make the Most of CPD
- Plan Ahead – completing your PDP is the best way to start. Review the CPD requirements and identify areas where you want to improve.
- Engage in a Variety of Learning – CPD isn’t just about attending lectures. It includes interactive workshops, peer discussions, self-directed learning, online courses, and hands-on training.
- Reflect on Your Learning – think about how your CPD activities enhance your skills and impact your practice.
- Stay Organised – keep track of your progress and logging your points in MyCPD as you go to prevent last-minute stress.
- Use the resources available – Our website and CPD guide provide clear information about what counts towards your CPD and how to record it correctly.
Take Action Today
The new CPD cycle has already started. If you’re yet to do so, complete your Personal Development Plan (PDP) and map out your CPD journey. Read the CPD guidance on our website to ensure you understand your obligations, and visit MyCPD (accessed via MyGOC) to search for learning opportunities.
Don’t leave it until the last minute: embrace CPD as a valuable tool to enhance your skills and provide the best possible care for your patients.
As always, the GOC CPD team are here to support you if you have any queries – simply email [email protected].
