Continuing Development
CPD Requirements
Certified practitioners must meet annual CPD requirements to maintain their credential and demonstrate ongoing competence to clients and employers.
CPD is a condition of membership renewal. Practitioners, Masters, and Trainers who do not meet annual CPD requirements will not be able to renew their credential. Foundation members are encouraged to engage in CPD but are not subject to mandatory requirements.
IVCA's CPD framework is designed to ensure that all certified practitioners remain current in their knowledge and skills, contribute to the professional community, and demonstrate a sustained commitment to excellence throughout their careers.
CPD is assessed per membership year. Activities must be completed and recorded within the year — they cannot be carried forward or backdated.
Annual Requirements
CPD Hours by Tier
Requirements increase with tier level, reflecting greater professional responsibility.
| Tier | Total CPD Hours / Year | Annual Update Course | Supervised Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation (F) | {{CPD_HOURS_FOUNDATION}} hours (encouraged, not mandatory) | Not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Practitioner (P) | {{CPD_HOURS_PRACTITIONER}} hours | 8 hours (mandatory) | Configurable |
| Master (M) | {{CPD_HOURS_MASTER}} hours | 8 hours (mandatory) | Configurable |
| Trainer (T) | {{CPD_HOURS_TRAINER}} hours | 8 hours (mandatory) | Configurable |
Two Pillars of CPD
Types of CPD Requirements
IVCA CPD is structured around two complementary requirements that ensure both knowledge currency and active professional practice.
Annual Update Training
CV Update Skills Course
The Vital Code Annual Update Course (minimum 8 hours) is mandatory for all Practitioners, Masters, and Trainers. Delivered online by IVCA-authorised trainers, it covers updates to practice standards, ethical obligations, and developments in the Vital Code evidence base.
- Delivered online by IVCA-authorised trainers
- Must be completed within each membership year
- Counts towards total CPD hours
- Certificate of completion required for renewal
Supervised Community Practice
Círculo Profissional CV
Practitioners must complete supervised practice hours within professional circles — local community groups facilitated by Masters or Trainers. In Portugal, this takes the form of the Círculo Profissional CV. These sessions ensure ongoing peer accountability and supervised real-world application of skills.
- Facilitated by certified IVCA Masters or Trainers
- In-person or live online community sessions
- Separate from total CPD hours requirement
- Hours vary by tier — configured by IVCA admin
What Counts
Accepted CPD Categories
- Training — workshops, courses, seminars
- Supervision — individual or group
- Peer Review — structured peer exchanges
- Research — reading, study, investigation
- Teaching — delivering CPD to others
- Conferences — attendance or presentation
- Self-study — structured independent learning
- Mentoring — providing or receiving mentorship
- Writing — publications, case studies, articles
CPD activities are logged through the IVCA member dashboard, where they can be tracked, documented, and submitted for verification. Failure to meet CPD requirements may result in credential suspension until requirements are fulfilled.
Member Portal
Track Your CPD Online
Log CPD activities, track your progress towards annual requirements, and access your renewal status — all through the IVCA member portal.