Managing my CPD

There are huge advantages to undertaking your CPD activities through RACS approved and delivered courses. They include:

• Quality controlled training and assessment processes
• Guaranteed compliance with RACS standards and policies
• Automatic record of activity into your online CPD profile
• Reduced time, effort and paper handling
• Effortless and instant verification audits

RACS will continue to update attendance in CPD Online for CPD activities delivered by RACS or approved by RACS. Attendance at activities that have been automatically updated in a Fellow’s CPD Online will also be considered automatically verified. 

Participation in professional development programs offered by other specialist medical colleges and associations may be deemed equivalent to meeting RACS CPD Program requirements. To be deemed equivalent, programs must first be approved by the Professional Standards and Fellowship Standards Committee (PSFSC).

Fellows who choose to participate in an alternative CPD Program approved by RACS are not required to also participate in the RACS CPD Program. On receipt of evidence of compliance with another approved CPD Program, Fellows will be recorded as having completed their CPD requirements.

The CPD programs that have been approved by the PSFSC and deemed equivalent are:

• Australian Orthopaedic Association
• New Zealand Orthopaedic Association
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

Fellows who wish to participate in other professional development programs or who are participating in a program that is not listed above are advised to contact the Professional Standards Department.

The CPD Program continues to be based on a continuous cycle of learning with a focus on planning, participation, measuring outcomes, reflection and change.

Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) are overseas trained doctors who hold formal postgraduate specialist qualifications in surgery and who are seeking to practice in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand. In Australia, SIMGs seeking to have their postgraduate qualifications and experience recognised must apply to RACS for assessment.

SIMGs on a pathway to Fellowship must complete CPD in accordance with their supervision period as advised by RACS.

Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) or non-FRACS who hold appropriate postgraduate qualifications but who are not seeking to become a Fellow of RACS can participate in the RACS CPD Program on a subscription basis. 

Participation in the RACS program meets registration standard requirements for the Medical Board of Australia and Medical Council of New Zealand.

Surgeons who enrol in the RACS CPD Program are required to meet the same requirements as RACS Fellows and have access to range of resources that supporting CPD participation including the RACS Library, Morbidity and Mortality Logbook Tool and online learning tools. 

The current CPD period runs from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022. Surgeons who wish to register for the program may do so using our online form.

The CPD period runs from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022.

The Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) program is offered by RACS to enable doctors not trained by RACS to demonstrate their maintenance of appropriate professional standards of knowledge and performance. Please register using our online form.

For all your CPD enquiries, please contact the team at cpd.college@surgeons.org or +61 3 9249 1282.