New initiatives to encourage participation in Continuing Professional Development Scheme

EAA launched the voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme in May 2005. Since then, more than 150 activities have been held with over 10,000 participants. Taking into account the views of the trade associations and how the Scheme operated over the past few months, EAA has decided to introduce the following initiatives to encourage participation in the Scheme, which helps practitioners to enhance their professional standards and quality of service.

1. Relaxation of the requirement in non-core subjects: The CPD Scheme is classified into core and non-core subjects, and EAA encourages practitioners to gain at least 10 CPD points per year. In the past, EAA suggested practitioners obtain at least six points from core subjects and four points from non-core subjects. Under the new arrangements, practitioners who have acquired no fewer than six points in core subjects per year may choose to attain the remaining four points in either core or non-core subjects to meet the 10 CPD point requirement each year. This initiative was proposed in response to feedback from some practitioners who had indicated that they wished to achieve all 10 CPD points in core subjects. According to these practitioners, the core subjects, which deal mainly with legal and practice-related knowledge, would better meet their needs and help them remain current with the latest professional knowledge.
2. Extension of the first declaration period to 17 months: The first period for all practitioners to declare CPD attainment has been extended to 17 months, from 1 May 2005 to 30 September 2006. (According to the original requirement, the first declaration period was 12 months to correspond with the usual 12-month validity period of a licence.) The extension has been proposed in light of the trade’s view that a limited number and type of activities were available during the initial stage (May to September 2005). It was felt that many practitioners might have missed certain learning activities during the initial stage as they were not yet then familiar with the CPD Scheme.
3. Certificate of Attainment and CPD Attainment Symbol to those who have gained the recommended CPD points : Practitioners who have attained no fewer than 10 CPD points (with at least six points gained in core subjects) during the above-mentioned 17-month period and submitted the Voluntary Declaration of CPD Attainment to EAA between 1 October 2006 and 1 November 2006 will be presented with a Certificate of Attainment and a CPD Attainment Symbol. The awardees will also be entitled to print the CPD Attainment Symbol on their business cards. The first 10 practitioners who have earned the highest number of CPD points and fulfilled the above conditions will also be awarded a Prize of Excellence by EAA in recognition of their efforts.

In addition, EAA has organised a competition inviting submissions for the design of the CPD Attainment Symbol.

At a press conference, EAA introduces new initiatives to encourage participation in the CPD Scheme: (from left) Director of Services Ms Ruby Hon; Chairman of the Professional Development Committee Mr Joseph Tsang; Chief Executive Officer Ms Sandy Chan; Director of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel Mr Pius Cheng.