CPD Events and Accreditation

Many LIA events and external training sessions are accredited for CPD hours. The number of CPD hours awarded depends on the type of event, its duration, and its relevance to your designation and product categories.

Members should always confirm that an event is CPD-accredited and relevant to their designation before attending.

How do I check if an event has CPD hours attached?

To check if CPD hours are attached to an event, you can use the following methods.

- Check the Event Listing

Visit the Events section on the LIA website or LIA Elevate.

Each event listing will normally indicate:

whether the event is CPD-accredited
the number of CPD hours available
the relevant CPD categories

- Review Your Confirmation Email

When you register for an event, LIA usually includes CPD information in the confirmation email.

This typically includes:

CPD accreditation status
CPD categories covered
number of CPD hours awarded

- Check Your CPD Log

If you have already attended the event, you can:

Log in to your LIA Member Account
Open your CPD Log
Check whether the CPD hours have already been recorded.

If you are still unsure, contact the LIA team.

📧 events@lia.ie
📞 +353 (0)1 456 3890

Provide the event name, date, and registration details for confirmation.

Some events may not carry CPD hours, particularly informational webinars or networking events, so it is always best to confirm in advance.

How many CPD hours is an event accredited for?

The number of CPD hours an event can receive depends on the type and format of the learning activity.

According to LIA CPD guidelines:

Live or In-Person Events

Single live or in-person events may receive up to 4 CPD hours per topic.

Tested Online Courses or Modules

Online learning modules with testing or assessments may receive up to 2 CPD hours per module.

Professional Examinations

Professional examination modules may receive up to 8 CPD hours.

However, these do not count toward category-specific CPD requirements.

To confirm the exact CPD hours for a specific event, check:

the event description
the Accreditation Confirmation issued by LIA
the information provided by the event organiser

The accredited CPD hours and relevant categories should normally be displayed at the beginning and end of the event.

How do I know which designations an event applies to?

CPD hours only apply to designations for which the event content is relevant and accredited.

Members should always check which designations an event has been accredited for.

An event may award CPD hours for one or more of the following designations.

Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA)

CPD must relate to one or more of the five retail financial product categories.

Accredited Product Adviser (APA)

CPD must relate specifically to the product category in which the APA designation is held, such as:

Life Assurance
Pensions
Savings and Investments
Consumer Credit
Credit Union Adviser (CUA)

CPD must be relevant to credit union operations and advisory activities.

Credit Union Governance (CUG)

CPD must focus on governance, oversight, or compliance within credit unions.

Credit Union Compliance (CUC)

CPD must relate to governance, compliance, or risk management.

Pension Trustee Practitioner (PTP)

CPD must be relevant to pension scheme governance, compliance, or administration.

How do CPD categories work for events?

Where an LIA event offers CPD, the relevant categories or competencies will be listed on the LIA website and within the booking system.

These categories align with the Central Bank of Ireland’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC).

Example

If a member holds APA (Pensions):

An event accredited for Category 2 (Pensions) will award CPD hours.
An event accredited for Category 1 (Life Assurance) will not count toward their CPD requirement.

Members are responsible for ensuring that the event is relevant to their designation before attending for CPD purposes.

Members are still welcome to attend events for learning purposes even if they do not qualify for CPD hours.

How can a course or webinar get accredited for CPD?

Courses, webinars, and training sessions can be accredited for CPD hours by completing the LIA CPD Accreditation Request process.

This ensures the content aligns with the Minimum Competency Code (MCC) and is relevant to professional designations.

Step 1 – Submit an Accreditation Request

The event provider must complete the CPD Accreditation Request Form.

Step 2 – Provide Event Information

The request form typically requires:

Event title
Event date and duration
Learning objectives
Presenter qualifications
Target audience
Event format (live, webinar, online)
Evidence of testing or interaction (for online courses)
Proposed MCC categories
Suggested CPD hours

Step 3 – LIA Review Process

LIA’s CPD team will review the submission and:

assess whether the content is relevant to retail financial advice or trustee responsibilities
determine appropriate CPD hours
confirm the relevant MCC categories

LIA may approve the event or request further information.

Step 4 – Accreditation Approval

If approved:

LIA will issue a CPD accreditation code
Confirm the number of CPD hours
Specify the relevant CPD categories

The accreditation code is normally valid for the current CPD year only and must be renewed annually if the event is repeated.

What criteria must an event meet for CPD accreditation?

To qualify for CPD accreditation:

The content must relate directly to retail financial advice or trustee responsibilities.
Online learning must include testing or interactive elements.
The content must be clearly structured and time-measured.
The learning activity must be at least 30 minutes in duration.

How do I submit an event for CPD accreditation?

Complete the CPD Accreditation Request Form here https://form.jotform.com/260573014387053 .Once submitted, LIA will review the request and confirm whether CPD accreditation has been granted.

Contact LIA for CPD Accreditation Support

If you need assistance with CPD accreditation:

📧 cpd@lia.ie
📞 +353 (0)1 456 3890