 What is CPD? According to the Architectural Profession Act 2000 (Act 44 of 2000) section 22(2), the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) may determine conditions for the renewal of registration. SACAP has thus determined these conditions and the related CPD requirements, which was effective from 1 January 2007. CPD is compulsory for all architectural professionals. CPD refers to the following activities which should take place throughout a person’s architectural career: •Continuing education and training; •Systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills; •Development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties The recognised Voluntary Associations (VAs) and Accreddited Learning Sites (ALSs) have an important role to play in the implementation of CPD in that they can offer Category 1 activities. VAs can also validate and monitor Category One activities offered by other providers. Any developmental activities offered by third parties without validation can only be claimed within Category Three. The recognised VAs are able to charge a fee for validating such activities and should encourage broader participation of the whole profession. VAs may offer a discount to their members as a further benefit. Why CPD? SACAP determined the conditions for the renewal of registration. These conditions are related to CPD requirements, which was effective from 1st January 2007. CPD refers to the following activities, which should take place throughout a persons architectural career. •Continuing education and training •Systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill •Development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties Categories Subject to the initial phasing-in period, the CPD system will function in five-year cycles. During this time registered persons’ must obtain 25 CPD credits in order to qualify for renewal of registration. The 25 credits must be spread across the three different categories as listed below. Category One: Development Activities, e.g. workshops, conferences Category Two: Work-based Activities, e.g. architectural work, lecturing, mentoring Category Three: Individual activities, e.g. membership of recognised voluntary associations, studies, publishing articles Activities are allocated credits as per Appendix A in the CPD Conditions document. Details of the Category 1 activities validated for CPD credits are available under Events & Courses. A minimum of three (3) credits across the categories must be earned per annum, and credits in excess of five (5) for the year may be carried forward to the following year. There are a maximum number of CPD credits which can be accumulated per annum in each of the three categories: Category Description Credits Category One:Developmental Activities Attendance of structured educational/developmental meetings (conferences, seminars, workshops, lectures, etc. Maximum 4 credits Compulsory 1 credit Category Two:Work-based activities (a) Architectural work or Full-Time lecturing 400 hours = 1 credit. Maximum 2 credits (b) In-House training or mentoring of Candidate practitioners 50 hours = 1 credit. Maximum 2 credits Category Three:Individual activities (a) Membership of one or more recognised voluntary associations (VAs).Maximum 1 credit (b) Individual activities 10 hours = 1 credit. Maximum 3 credits |