It is important that all members comply with the CPD requirements to ensure FISA can confidently encourage the public to approach a FISA member for will drafting, estate administration, and trust creation and administration. We rely on the fact that our members possess the necessary, up‑to‑date knowledge.
Robin Sharma said, “The swiftest way to triple your success is to double your investment in personal development.”
All FISA members subscribed to the Code of Ethics and of Professional and Responsible Conduct as well as to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme Charter when they joined FISA and when they renewed their membership.
Week 5: CPD Rules, Requirements, and Compliance
The FISA Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme is built on fairness, accountability, and professional excellence.
Key Rules and Requirements:
- Each member must accumulate 60 CPD points per two-year cycle;
- At least 40 points must be verifiable;
- At least 40 points must be in certified areas, even if they fall under “other.”
- At least 5 points must be in Law and Ethics in the Fiduciary Field;
- One hour equals one CPD point (minimum fraction: 30 minutes);
- The smallest acceptable fraction is 30 minutes or ½ a point. Where a member spends more than 15 minutes on an activity, but less than 30, the time may be rounded up to 30 minutes.
- If the time spent is less than 15 minutes, it falls away.
- A tertiary qualification achieved during a cycle may be credited at a maximum of 30 points per cycle.
- Parts of a tertiary qualification completed during a cycle may be credited pro rata according to the points allocated for a completed tertiary qualification.
- The CPD cycle that began on 1 April 2013 was a fixed cycle, after which FISA moved to a rolling two‑year cycle. Members were required to accumulate 60 points by 31 March 2015. From 31 March 2016 onward, and each year thereafter, members must ensure that the points earned over the preceding 24 months total at least 60.
- Members must keep their own CPD records and ensure that these are available for audit if required.
Flexibility:
- Council may grant exemptions due to illness, temporary absence abroad, parental leave, or other personal circumstances;
- Council may grant an extension to any member at the end of a cycle to afford him/her the opportunity to comply.
How to capture points:
- In the newsletter of 22 May 2025, the following article was placed: “CPD requirements and capturing your points”.
- The process is still the same, and members are encouraged to capture their points.
Members are also encouraged to review their logged CPD points to see whether they will meet the 60-point requirement over the two years.