Reference Materials and
Tools for CPD Programs

Forms & Documents

CPD Resources

ACPE CPD Advisory Committee Members

A list of ACPE CPD Advisory Committee members and their affiliate institutions. Current as of June 2025.

Examples of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Providers of CPD Programs and Pharmacy Learners 

Describes and provides examples of CPD program providers might design, offer activities, and facilitate components of the CPD cycle. Provides examples of how pharmacy learners might engage in the CPD process.

Entering CPD Activities in the PWT

Guidance on how to add and edit CPD activities in the ACPE Provider Web Tool.

Awarding Credit for CPD Activities

Guidance on how to award credit for CPD activities via CPE Monitor.

CPD FAQ

Frequently asked questions related to CPD program accreditation.

Guidance on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the Profession of Pharmacy

Describes the components of CPD as an approach to self-directed lifelong learning and offers categories and examples of learning activities beyond CPE that can contribute to the development of pharmacy professionals.

Guidance on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Professional Degree Programs

Offers guidance on the components of the CPD model as well as the skills and behaviors needed in self-directed, lifelong learning.

Components of the CPD cycle

A short presentation that provides a summary of the components of the CPD cycle.

A CPD Cycle graphic and Terms of Use

CPD Scholarship

Categorizes and profiles articles about CPD in pharmacy.

CPD Portfolio

Worksheets that can help you to get started with your own CPD. The CPD portfolio is intended as a tool to support your learning.

Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals – Competency Assurance Program Resources

Continuing Professional Development – A Comprehensive Approach to Lifelong Learning

Continuing Professional Development Tool

SMART Goals Guide

Habits of Preceptors (HOP) – CPD for Preceptor Development

How the HOP Toolkit Fuels the CPD Journey

CPD Webinars

  • CPD Accreditation Pathway Update – March 2025

    03/11/2025
    • Download The Presentation File
      March CPD Update Webinar Slides
  • CPD Self-Assessment Rubric Webinar

    10/11/2023
    • Download The Presentation File
      CPD Self Assessment Webinar Slides
  • CPD Accreditation Pathway Information Webinar

    09/12/2023
    • Download The Presentation File
      ACPE CPD Information Webinar Sept 12 2023 Slides
  • Using Reflection to Create a Learning Plan

    06/15/2023
    • Download The Presentation File
      Handouts
    • Download The Presentation File
      Bloom’s Taxonomy
    • Download The Presentation File
      Self-assessment questions
  • Act, Evaluate, and Record Your CPD

    06/15/2023
    • Download The Presentation File
      Handouts
    • Download The Presentation File
      Self-assessment questions
  • CPD101

    03/15/2023
    • Download The Presentation File
      Handouts
    • Download The Presentation File
      Worksheets
    • Download The Presentation File
      Self-assessment questions
CPD Accreditation Pathway Information Webinar
CPD Self-Assessment Rubric Webinar
CPD 101
Using Reflection to Create a Learning Plan
Act, Evaluate, and Record Your CPD
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 1 – CPD in APPE Experiences
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 2 – CPD for Learners at the Connecticut Pharmacists Association
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 3 – CPD for Preceptors
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 4 – Integrating a CPD Process for Student Pharmacists
CPD Approach for Maintenance of Licensure: A Board of Pharmacy’s Early Experiences
CPD for Preceptors: Modeling Self-Directed Lifelong Learning
Integrating CPD into Continuing Pharmacy Education: CPE Provider Perspective
Considerations for Integrating CPD into Pharmacy Curriculum
Connecting CPD to Career Goals
Considerations for Integrating CPD into Pharmacy Curriculum

CPD Case Study Series: Examples of CPD in Practice

  • CPD Case Study Series: Episode 1

    CPD in APPE Experiences

    Description: In Episode 1 of the CPD Case Study Series, hear Dr. Kelsey Frederick (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), Dr. Janet Cooley (University of Arizona), and Dr. Suzanne Larson (Midwestern University) describe an innovative application of continuing professional development (CPD) principles, using CPD to structure an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) at three different institutions. Slides and supportive resources are available. For more information from the authors, visit: https://cpdappe.weebly.com/

  • CPD Case Study Series: Episode 2

    CPD for Learners at the Connecticut Pharmacists Association

    Description: In Episode 2 of the CPD Case Study Series, hear Lisa Capobianco (Vice President, Operations at the Connecticut Pharmacists Association) and Dr. Brian Pelletier describe their experience with implementing a CPD program for learners at their state association. Additionally, hear from two learners who completed the program! In this example, peer coaching, learner cohorts, and simplifying the CPD documentation process were all important factors to consider when implementing a CPD program.

  • CPD Case Study Series: Episode 3

    CPD for Preceptors

    Description: In Episode 3 of the CPD Case Study Series, hear Dr. Amanda Margolis (University of Wisconsin – Madison) describe the implementation and outcomes of a CPD program for pharmacy preceptors.

  • CPD Case Study Series: Episode 4

    Integrating a CPD Process for Student Pharmacists

    Description: In Episode 4, hear Dr. Mary Bridgeman, Dr. Christine Parikh, and Dr. Kristin Reinaker from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, discuss the implementation of an eight semester course series designed to provide a framework for tracking professional readiness, professional identify formation, and prepare students for lifelong learning by introducing and applying the process and principles of CPD!

  • CPD Case Study Series: Episode 5

    Pharmacist Perceptions of CPD and Goal Development in a Community Health System

    Description: In Episode 5, hear Dr. Michelle Estevez from Lee Health discuss the implementation of a CPD program to facilitate staff pharmacist development. In this presentation, Michelle emphasizes the importance of organizational buy-in to initiate a CPD program and describes pharmacist self-reported benefits to the CPD process including improved job enjoyment and patient care. This example of CPD in practice may be especially useful for other institutions looking to support the professional development of staff!

CPD Accreditation Pathway Information Webinar
CPD Self-Assessment Rubric Webinar
CPD 101
Using Reflection to Create a Learning Plan
Act, Evaluate, and Record Your CPD
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 1 – CPD in APPE Experiences
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 2 – CPD for Learners at the Connecticut Pharmacists Association
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 3 – CPD for Preceptors
CPD Case Study Series: Episode 4 – Integrating a CPD Process for Student Pharmacists
CPD Approach for Maintenance of Licensure: A Board of Pharmacy’s Early Experiences
CPD for Preceptors: Modeling Self-Directed Lifelong Learning
Integrating CPD into Continuing Pharmacy Education: CPE Provider Perspective
Considerations for Integrating CPD into Pharmacy Curriculum
Connecting CPD to Career Goals
Considerations for Integrating CPD into Pharmacy Curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions

The process of CPD provides several benefits to learners and program providers. For providers, facilitating the CPD process and awarding CPD units (CPDUs) for employees and other pharmacy learners may facilitate learner engagement with existing educational content, endorse a culture of learning within the organization, and facilitate skill and knowledge acquisition to support organizational and pharmacy practice improvements. Learners may benefit as the CPD process has been shown to increase confidence in identifying learning needs, use current practice to identify learning needs, and evaluate the impact and outcomes of learning

A CPD program could be offered by a wide variety of organizations, institutions, and individuals. Colleges and schools of pharmacy can provide a CPD program for faculty development and to assess cocurricular learning opportunities and support lifelong learning. Employers can use CPD to facilitate staff, preceptor, and resident development. State boards of pharmacy could consider CPD as a corrective process after disciplinary action

Applications for CPD program accreditation will be accepted starting January 1st, 2024. For providers with CPE accreditation, notice of provisional CPD program accreditation will be within thirty (30) days of submission. For programs without CPE accreditation, notice of provisional CPD program accreditation will be within sixty (60) days of submission.

Providers may begin awarding CPD units after receiving provisional program accreditation. For providers with CPE accreditation, notice of provisional CPD program accreditation will be within thirty (30) days of submission. For programs without CPE accreditation, notice of provisional CPD program accreditation will be within sixty (60) days of submission.

CPD activities and units will be entered and awarded through the ACPE Provider Web Tool. For learners, CPD units will be available via CPE Monitor.

The initial application should include a completed attestation checklist and rubric, found here. A narrative and documentation should be provided to show how the principles of CPD are being met within the program. The type and amount of documentation may vary by program; however, it must be clear how the principles will be met.

A CPD program administrator is required for CPD. This individual is responsible for the oversight and operations of the CPD program. The CPD administrator may be the same as the CPE administrator but does not have to be. The CPD administrator does not have to be a pharmacist and it is up to the provider and organization to determine the appropriate qualifications for the CPD administrator.

CPD program accreditation is provided by ACPE. While ACPE will oversee the CPD program accreditation process, providers with Joint Accreditation are encouraged to apply and will undergo the same accreditation process experienced by accredited CPE providers.


There is no maximum or desired number of ACPE CPD units which may be earned per year. Providers and learners should contact licensing and certification bodies with inquiries related to specific CPD requirements

Additional resources

Apply for CPD Accreditation

Learn about our accredication process and access readily available application forms.

See Application Details

Browse the latest board communication materials and letters for CPD Accreditation.

See Communications