Physician professional development
To provide the best possible care to patients, physicians are expected to continue acquiring knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
Alberta physicians must be enrolled in one of two approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs:
- MAINPRO+ (College of Family Physicians of Canada)
- Maintenance of Certification (MOC) (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada)
You are free to choose the professional development program that best meets your needs.
CPSA monitors enrollment and ensures physicians meet minimum credit requirements to maintain their Alberta practice permits.
Do I have to participate in CPD even if I'm semi-retired, only do house calls or only have administrative responsibilities?
All physicians are expected to participate. Exemptions or deferrals will be considered on a case-by-case basis where there are extenuating circumstances. Please see our standard of practice and program manual on Continuing Competence for more information, or contact Mainpro+ or Maintenance of Certification.
Do I have to report CPD credits to the CPSA?
No. You should report the credits you earn for CPD activities directly to the program in which you are enrolled: Mainpro+ Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
Do I need to be a member of the College of Family Physicians or Royal College to enroll in their CPD programs?
No. You can enroll in Mainpro+ as a non-member participant (NMMP). If you’ve never been a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, you can enroll in the MOC program as a Health Care Professional. If you were formerly a Fellow of the Royal College, you must rejoin the Royal College to participate in that program.
Do PPIP activities qualify for continuing professional development (CPD) credits?
Certain competence programs which also meet the requirements of a PPIP activity do qualify for CPD credits:
- A Group Practice Review (GPR) meets the requirements of PPIP’s standards of practice quality improvement activity. General practitioners and family physicians who participate in GPR are eligible for 13.5 Mainpro+ credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada, while specialists may be eligible for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
- The Medical Council of Canada’s MCC 360 meets the requirements of PPIP’s personal development activity. General practitioners and family physicians who participate in MCC 360 are eligible for Mainpro+ credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada, while specialists may be eligible for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
To find out if any other work you’ve done as part of a PPIP activity qualifies for CPD credits, please reach out to your national college.
I have already participated in PAR twice. Do I still have to participate in CPD?
Yes. Participation in CPD is mandatory and complementary to other Continuing Competence activities and programs. Physician Achievement Review (PAR) was discontinued in 2015 and has been replaced by Practice Checkup and the Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP). Practice Checkup and PPIP provide practice-specific data and personal development that can help inform CPD activity.
What must I do to demonstrate satisfactory participation?
You must be in good standing with either the Mainpro+ or MOC program, which requires earning a minimum number of eligible credits within the timelines identified by the program. Note: Credits earned must be reported directly to the program. Please do not submit this information to CPSA.
When does my five-year PPIP cycle end?
Your PPIP cycle is aligned with your continuing professional development cycle through the College of Family Physicians for Family Physicians or the Royal College Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. If you are unsure of when your current CPD cycle ends, please contact your national college.
When my CPD cycle is completed, do I need to submit proof of completion to CPSA?
No. You don’t need to provide anything to CPSA upon completion, but you must be able to provide CPSA with your CPD information if it is requested.
Where can I get more details about MAINPRO?
Refer to the College of Family Physicians of Canada website, or call toll-free 1-800-387-6197 ext. 204.
Where can I get more details about MOC?
Refer to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website, or call toll-free 1-800-668-3740.
Why must I enroll in a CPD program?
Physicians have a professional obligation to provide their patients with safe and competent care. Medical practice is continuously changing, and knowledge and skills must continue to grow to ensure career-long competency. Please see our standard of practice and program manual on Continuing Competence for more information.
Questions about CPD?
Bruce Leisen, Director
780-969-4919 or 1-800-561-3899 ext. 4919 (in Canada)