CPD accreditation: Group learning activities

Process for seeking approval from an accredited CPD provider

Below is the application process for activities developed by physician organizations for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program Section 1 credits.

Note: To have an activity approved for MOC credits, it must be reviewed by a Royal College-accredited CPD provider.

Policies

  • Group learning activities held in Canada — such as conferences, workshops and seminars — must be reviewed by a Royal College-accredited CPD provider to be approved for MOC Section 1 credits. This applies to all face-to-face group learning activities, as well as web-based group learning activities.
  • The accredited CPD provider is responsible for reviewing the CPD activity against defined administrative, educational and ethical standards for accredited group learning.
  • The non-accredited physician organization is responsible for implementing the activity based on the plan approved by the accredited CPD provider.
  • The non-accredited physician organization is responsible for maintaining attendance records for a five-year period.
  • The non-accredited physician organization is responsible for providing attendees with certificates of participation.
  • Approval under MOC Section 1 will be recognized by the following statement on all program materials and will be provided to the applicant by the accredited CPD provider upon approval:

    This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by [accredited provider’s name].

  • Applicants cannot include in program materials a statement indicating that accreditation is pending.
  • Accreditation approval cannot be provided retroactively.

Procedures

Step 1: Choose an accredited CPD provider

Review the accredited CPD provider directory and choose the appropriate organization to review your application. Be sure to choose an accredited CPD provider based on the target audience of your CPD activity.

Step 2: Contact the accredited CPD provider

Contact the accredited CPD provider as soon as possible. Discuss their accreditation procedures, including their administrative fees and timelines. Finally, ask for the accredited provider’s own application form.

Step 3: Fill out the application form

Fill out and submit the accredited CPD provider’s application form within the time frame provided.

(Note: Each accredited CPD provider is expected to develop its own policies and procedures for the review and approval of activities under the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program of the Royal College and to ensure that they meet the minimal requirements established by the CMA (Guidelines for Physicians in Interactions with Industry), and the Royal College (the National Standard of Support for Accredited CPD Activities), where appropriate. As a result, policies and procedures may vary between accredited CPD providers.)

Step 4: Receive results

The accredited CPD provider will do one of the following:

  • grant approval based on a successful application
  • grant conditional approval requiring minor modifications to the activity
  • require an additional full review requiring major modifications to the activity
  • reject the application

Step 5: Indicate Section 1 approval of your activity

If your activity receives Section 1 approval, the following statement must appear on all conference materials (including the program and the certification of participation):

 

"This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by [accredited provider’s name]."

 

Step 6: Notify the Royal College

The accredited CPD provider will notify the Royal College of the approval of the activity for MOC Section 1 credits. The approved activity will appear on the Royal College website, listed under the appropriate specialty.

Contact us

CPD Accreditation Coordinator
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
774 Echo Drive
Ottawa ON K1S 5N8
Telephone: 613-730-2587; toll-free 1-800-668-3740, ext. 587
Email: cpd-accreditation@royalcollege.ca