FAQs About Continuing Education Requirements

No. Registrants are no longer required to apply for course or seminar approval. However, it is each registrant’s responsibility to ensure that educational activities meet the requirements outlined in the CCP Manual.

Not routinely. Registrants must maintain a portfolio of evidence in the format required by the College and retain those records for 10 years.

The College may request a portfolio of evidence at any time, and registrants may be required to submit it within a short timeframe, such as 48 hours or less.

During annual renewal, registrants will be required to declare whether they have met their continuing education requirements. Registrants who have not met these requirements will not be eligible to renew their practice permit.

Registrants should be aware that providing false or misleading information during the renewal process may result in significant regulatory consequences.

Yes. Subject to the conditions and exceptions outlined in the CCP Manual, excess credits may be carried forward into the immediately following continuing education year only. Credits cannot be carried forward beyond one year.

The first continuing education year eligible for carry-forward credits is 2027-28.

In addition to traditional educational programs, registrants may earn credits through a variety of professional development activities, including:

• Serving as a preceptor
• Serving as a mentor in a recognized mentorship program
• Participating in a practice visit
• Engaging in other learning activities relevant to professional practice

Refer to the CCP Manual for detailed eligibility requirements and credit calculations.

The CCP Manual provides guidance on eligible activities and credit calculations. In general, one credit equals one hour of participation.

Registrants should keep clear records demonstrating how credit hours were calculated and be prepared to explain their rationale if requested by the College.

The College expects registrants to participate in the Continuing Competence Program in good faith, engage in meaningful self-reflection, and maintain an appropriate portfolio of evidence.

If an audit determines that a registrant has not met the program requirements, has not maintained adequate records, or has failed to participate in good faith, the matter may be addressed through the College’s competence or disciplinary processes.

Where deficiencies are identified, the College’s initial focus will generally be on education and remediation, where appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, registrants may be required to:

• Complete additional learning activities;
• Submit further documentation;
• Participate in follow-up activities to demonstrate compliance; or
• Meet other requirements established by the College.

Significant, repeated, or intentional non-compliance may result in more serious regulatory consequences in accordance with applicable legislation and College bylaws. 

Maintaining a complete and accurate portfolio is a fundamental professional responsibility. The Continuing Competence Program is built on professional accountability and trust, and registrants are expected to uphold those principles.

Career-span competencies are a resource designed to help registrants understand professional expectations at various stages of practice. They support self-reflection, professional growth, and continuing learning.

Each competency includes examples of educational and professional development activities that may be relevant to that stage of practice.

While the use of career-span competencies is not mandatory, registrants are strongly encouraged to use them as a tool to guide ongoing professional development.

CCOA does not pre-approve courses or seminars for continuing education credit. Registrants are responsible for using their professional judgment to determine whether an activity meets the requirements outlined in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP) Manual.

As a result, providers should not state that a course has been approved by CCOA. However, providers are encouraged to review the CCP requirements and design their educational offerings to align with those requirements.

Yes. Self-paced and asynchronous online courses may be eligible for credit if they meet the requirements outlined in the CCP Manual.

Yes. Mentors may claim eligible mentorship hours toward their continuing education requirements when those activities involve providing clinical, professional, or ethical guidance to a mentee. Registrants should document the nature of the mentorship activities and the hours claimed within their portfolio of evidence.

No. The first continuing education year in which excess credits may be carried forward is 2027-28. Credits earned before that time are not eligible for carry-forward.