As a pharmacist in the United States, you are likely required to obtain continuing education credits for active licensure. Continuing Professional Development is a framework to help you to design and implement an education plan to go beyond meeting your licensing requirements to facilitate your professional development and competency as a healthcare provider.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is defined by the American Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as, “the lifelong process of active participation in learning activities that assists individuals in developing and maintaining continued competence, enhancing their professional practice, and supporting achievement of their career goals.”

CPD Process

• Reflect on your current challenges and opportunities for improvement in care. Develop your learning goals based upon practice and career needs, prioritize those goals, and think about a timeframe to achieve each.

• Plan how to meet your learning goals, examples include – web searches, on demand web activities, webinars or live-meetings, journal articles, social media outlets (ASHP Connect) and listservers (ASHP Sections).

• Act on your plan to meet your learning goals. Your plan will likely include some educational programs with CE credits (ASHP CE Center).

• Evaluate the outcomes of your activities.  What was the impact on your professional development and patient care?

• Record & Review at each step in this process to help you monitor and manage your plan and progress.

Additional Resources on CPD

• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) – information and assessment tools