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CPD Requirements Explained

CPD Requirements Explained

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an ongoing learning requirement that helps financial professionals maintain their knowledge, skills, and professional designations.
LIA members must complete 15 CPD hours per year (or 6 hours for some designations) and submit an Annual CPD Return by 31 January each year.

What is CPD?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development.

It is an ongoing learning process that helps professionals maintain, update, and enhance their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.

For LIA members, CPD ensures compliance with the Central Bank of Ireland’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) and helps maintain professional designations such as:

  • QFA
  • APA
  • CUA
  • CUC
  • PTP

CPD activities can include:

  • Online learning modules
  • Training seminars
  • Accredited courses
  • Exams
  • Webinars and events

Members can track and manage their CPD through their CPD Log on the LIA website.

Why do I need to complete CPD?

Completing CPD is required to maintain your professional designation and remain compliant with regulatory requirements.

Key reasons for completing CPD include:

Regulatory Compliance

The Central Bank of Ireland’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) requires professionals in financial services to keep their knowledge and skills up to date.

Maintaining Your Designation

To keep your LIA designation (such as QFA, APA, CUA, CUC, or PTP), you must complete the required CPD hours each year.

Failure to complete CPD may result in the loss of your designation.

Keeping Your Knowledge Current

The financial services industry constantly evolves with new regulations, products, and best practices. CPD ensures professionals remain informed.

Professional Development

Completing CPD enhances your professional skills, credibility, and career opportunities.

Client Protection

CPD helps ensure that financial professionals provide accurate, ethical, and up-to-date advice to clients.

What is my annual CPD requirement?

If you hold an LIA designation on 1 January, your CPD requirement for that year is:

  • 15 CPD hours in total (or 6 hours for some designations)
  • Minimum 1 hour of Ethics CPD
  • Minimum 1 hour in each relevant accreditation category

These requirements depend on the designation(s) you hold.

When do I need to complete my CPD hours?

CPD hours must be completed by 31 December each year.

However, members have until 31 January of the following year to submit their Annual CPD Return.

I'm newly qualified – do I need to complete CPD?

Your CPD requirements depend on when you qualified during the year.

However, all newly qualified members must submit an Annual CPD Return, even if no CPD hours are required.

If you qualified between January and July

You must:

  • Complete 4 CPD hours by 31 December of the year you qualified.
  • No Ethics CPD or category-specific CPD is required during this period.
  • Submit your Annual CPD Return by 31 January of the following year.

If you qualified between August and December

  • No CPD hours are required for the year you qualified.
  • You must still submit an Annual CPD Return by 31 January of the following year.

Your full CPD requirements begin in the following CPD year.

From the following CPD year onwards

You must:

  • Complete the full CPD requirement for your designation
  • Submit your Annual CPD Return by 31st January each year

How can I confirm my CPD requirements?

CPD requirements may vary depending on:

  • your designation(s)
  • additional qualifications
  • individual circumstances

To confirm your exact requirements:

  1. Log in to your LIA member account
  2. View your CPD Log

Your CPD Log reflects your personal CPD obligations and recorded hours.