About SARF CPD

 

Since 2006, compulsory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for the renewal of professional registration has become a key requirement.

SARF is one of the leaders in the field when it comes to the approval of CPD activities. This overview is intended to provide clarity on frequently asked questions and to guide members on how to claim CPD credits effectively.

How do I know if an activity has been approved for CPD credits?

ECSA has granted approval to voluntary associations recognised in terms of the Act, as well as accredited tertiary educational institutions, to offer activities that qualify for CPD credits.

Each activity in Category 1, including conferences, congresses, workshops, lectures, seminars, courses, and refresher courses, must have a unique CPD validation number. This number must be referenced when recording the activity for CPD purposes.

The CPD validation number begins with the name of the organisation validating the event. SARF applies a structured numbering system, which includes:

• organisation identifier (SARF),
• the relevant discipline code,
• the year of validation,
• a unique validation number, and
• the expiry date of the validation.

A full list of CPD activities is available on the ECSA website, and SARF-validated activities are available on the SARF platform.

What if an activity does not appear on the CPD list?

All voluntary associations recognised by ECSA, as well as accredited tertiary institutions, are authorised to provide CPD activities. However, SARF maintains responsibility for ensuring that all activities it validates meet the required standards.

SARF has implemented a structured system for the validation of CPD activities through its education and training processes. Members can be assured that activities hosted or endorsed by SARF, or by organisations approved by SARF, will be considered acceptable within the ECSA CPD framework.

If an activity does not meet the required standards, members will be informed accordingly.

In some cases, validation numbers may not be available before an event. Members are advised to update their CPD portfolios after the event once the validation status has been confirmed. Providers submitting activities for validation will be notified as soon as possible and will communicate this to participants.

What about activities from organisations not recognised by ECSA?

Certain smaller organisations may not meet the formal technical requirements for recognition by ECSA. However, SARF acknowledges that many of these organisations provide valuable contributions to the professional community.

Institutions such as SAISC, C&CI, WISA, and others are recognised within the industry, and SARF considers such organisations in a similar manner to its branches and divisions for CPD purposes.

How are conferences validated?

Conference activities are typically validated after the event, once SARF has reviewed the proceedings. This ensures that the content meets the required professional standards.

Where presentations are available beforehand, validation may occur prior to the event. However, most conference validations are done retrospectively.

Members are encouraged to:

• check CPD validation listings on SARF and ECSA platforms,
• confirm validation with event organisers, and
• ensure that the conference is submitted for validation where applicable.

Conferences remain a valuable source of CPD credits and should be validated wherever possible.

How do I record CPD activities on the ECSA website?

Members are required to update their CPD information on the ECSA platform at least once per CPD cycle.

You may record CPD activities at any time during the year in which they were completed. If the activity was validated and attended before the expiry date, the associated CPD credits will be awarded.