Surveyor CPD Hub

How to record CPD: a simple system

Last reviewed

The hardest thing about CPD usually isn’t doing it — it’s remembering to record it. A good log takes two minutes per activity and saves you a panicked scramble before renewal. Here’s a simple system for recording your CPD that actually sticks, whichever body you’re regulated by.

Need the requirements first? See CPD for property professionals and, if you’re RICS, RICS CPD requirements.

What to capture

For every activity, record:

  • Date — when you did it.
  • Activity — what it was (course, webinar, reading, site learning…).
  • Type — formal (structured) or informal (self-directed).
  • Time — how long it took.
  • Reflection — a line or two on what you learned and how you’ll apply it.

That last one is the bit people skip — and it’s the bit that matters most.

A simple four-step system

  1. Capture the activity as soon as you can after doing it.
  2. Reflect on it — what you learned, how you’ll use it.
  3. Keep any evidence — certificates, confirmations, your own notes.
  4. Review regularly — check your running total against your requirement monthly or quarterly.

Do this and your CPD record stays current, honest and ready for any audit.

Spreadsheet vs portal

  • If your body provides a portal (RICS members should use theirs), log there.
  • For your own tracking, a simple spreadsheet with the columns above is plenty. The tool doesn’t matter; the habit does.

Make it easy on yourself

  • Log in the moment. A note straight after a webinar beats nothing a month later.
  • Batch your reading. Capture several short reads in one entry if that’s how you work.
  • Use the directory. Pull regular, relevant CPD from the free CPD directory so you’re never short of quality activities to log.

How I can help

I keep my own CPD current as a practising surveyor and help students build the habit early. Join the list below for the monthly free-CPD roundup — an easy, steady source of things to learn and log — and early access to my courses.

Frequently asked questions

What should a CPD record include?

At minimum: the date, a description of the activity, the type (formal or informal), the time spent, and a short reflection on what you learned and how you'll use it. Keep any certificates or confirmations as evidence.

Do I need a special CPD app?

No. Many bodies provide an online portal (and RICS members should use theirs), but a simple spreadsheet works perfectly well for your own tracking. The system matters less than doing it consistently.

How often should I log CPD?

As you go, or at least monthly. Logging in real time beats trying to reconstruct a year's learning from memory before a renewal deadline.

Does reflection really matter?

Yes — most bodies care that you got something useful from an activity, not just that you attended. A short, honest reflection is what makes the record meaningful (and audit-proof).