Get CPD points allocated to your course or event

CPD helps to keep surgeons’ skills sharp and knowledge current.

By applying for CPD points, you recognise the value of your educational activity and help participants meet the General Medical Council’s revalidation requirements. We award points for in-person, hybrid and online events.

Eligibility

You can apply for CPD points if your course or event:

  • is a one-off educational activity (in-person, hybrid or online);
  • is relevant to surgeons’ professional development;
  • has clear aims, objectives and at least two measurable learning outcomes;
  • clearly defines the faculty, timetable and target audience (predominantly surgeons or professionals allied to surgery);
  • includes a process for evaluating the event and collecting participant feedback;
  • meets our terms of CPD points award, including requirements for commercial sponsorship, attendance records and evaluation retention.

CPD points are typically awarded at one point per hour of educational activity.

Please note: Internationally, CPD points and Continuing Medical Education credits are often used interchangeably, with one CPD point usually equating to one CME credit. If you are outside the UK, we recommend that CPD points are allocated by your national accreditation or revalidation body, as requirements may differ.

The benefits of CPD awards

  • Your event is reviewed by leading surgeons.
  • You receive a quality mark from a respected body for surgical education.
  • Participants can record their CPD points for their portfolios.
  • You can use the strapline: ‘The Royal College of Surgeons of England has awarded up to [x] CPD points’ in your marketing materials.
  • Your event is listed on the RCS England website.

Please note: You may not use the RCS England logo for CPD awards. Other terms such as “accreditation”, “affiliation” or “sponsored” are not permitted in relation to the CPD award.

Fees

  • Local course or event – £50
    For events where all participants are internal to the organisation.
  • Not-for-profit course or event – £350
    For events that include participants external to the organisation.
  • For-profit course or event – £1,000
    For events run by commercial companies or those promoting commercial products or technology.

Terms of CPD points award

  • Keep an attendance register and retain a list of participants for 24 months. Provide this information to us on request.
  • Ensure the educational programme is not inappropriately influenced or biased by commercial organisations.
  • Ask all faculty members to declare any conflicts of interest related to the event and make these declarations available during the event.
  • Conduct an evaluation of the activity and provide results to us on request.

Read the full criteria and standards for allocating CPD points to courses and events.

How to apply 

To start your CPD accreditation application, complete our short online form.

Please note: You’ll need to submit your full application at least two weeks before your event, so we have enough time to review it. Unfortunately, applications received after this may not be accepted, and we cannot award CPD points retrospectively.

Apply now

What happens next

  • Application return: Our Quality Assurance team will be in touch with the full application form.
  • Expert review: We will collaborate with surgical experts to review your application and check it meets our criteria.
  • Application approval: Once approved, you will receive confirmation of the CPD award and invoice by email. 

The process usually takes up to two weeks from the date we receive your completed application.

Contact

If you have any questions about applying for accreditation, please email qa@rcseng.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help.