1. What are the objectives of the CPD program?

The objective of the Board’s Continuing Professional Development programme is to reinforce the need for lifelong learning and to provide a framework through which PEs could systematically maintain and enhance competency to do a job in their area of expertise.

2. What activities are considered relevant for CPD?

In determining activities which are relevant to CPD program, the Board has taken into account the following activities that will enable one to:

a) maintain, improve, or expand technical skills and knowledge;

b) keep abreast of changing procedures and standards;

c) understand and apply advances in technology;

d) better serve the engineering profession, community and environment;

e) develop communication and management skills; and

f) broaden into related fields, such as those covering management, financial or legal aspects.

The various CPD activities are then classified into 2 categories, structured and unstructural activities.  Details of the structured and unstructured activities can be found in Appendix A of the Guidelines on CPD for PE.

3. How is participation in CPD activities measured?

The unit that will be used to measure the effort or participation in CPD activities is the professional development units or PDU in short.

4. What is the CPD requirement that PEs have to satisfy?

Each PE has to ensure that he/she has obtained a minimum of 40 PDUs over a one-year period prior to the renewal of his/her practising certificate.  The 40 PDUs shall comprise a minimum of 15 PDUs from structured activities, and the remainder could come from either structured or unstructured activities.

5. If I have obtained more than 40 PDUs within a qualifying one-year period, can I carry over the excess PDU to another year?

Some of the excess PDUs earned over one year can be carried over to the next year.  This applies only to those excess PDUs obtained from structured activities.  A maximum of 40 PDUs from excess PDUs in structured activities can be carried forward to the next year.

6. Where can I obtain information about accredited structured activities?

Some of the CPD activities have to be accredited by the Board before they could qualify under the category of structured activities.  These structured activities which have been accredited by the Board will be made available on the Board’s web site at http://www.peb.gov.sg.

7. What happen if I have not obtained sufficient PDUs to meet the total PDU requirement to renew my practising certificate for the year?  How can I makeup and be re-instated?

A PE who has not obtained insufficient PDUs within the one-year period prior to the renewal of the practising certificate may apply to have his practising certificate renewed by providing reasons for failure to meet the requirement.  The Board may renew the PC with the condition that the necessary shortfall in PDUs has to be obtained during the following one-year period.  The PDUs obtained during that period to meet the shortfall cannot be used for the renewal of the PC for the next renewal period.

8. I’m a retired PE of more than 60 years old.  Do I still need to participate in CPD activities?

Yes, if you intend to practise as a professional engineer and need to apply for a practising certificate.

9. Are there any exemptions to the CPD requirement?

The Board may exempt a PE from the CPD requirements if he/she experiences physical disabilities, prolonged illness or other extenuating circumstances.

10. When I am working overseas for a period of time, I may not want to renew my practising certificate.  How could I reinstate my practising certificate upon my return, after my practising certificate had lapsed for several years? 

You may not need to renew your practising certificate if you are working overseas for more than one whole year.  When you want to reapply for your practising certificate which had lapsed for 3 years or more, you are required to obtain 80 PDUs within the one-year period prior to renewal of your practising certificate.  Out of the 80 PDUs that is required, at least 30 PDUs must be obtained from structured activities.  If your practising certificate which had lapsed for 2 years or less, you are required to obtain 40 PDUs within the one-year period prior to renewal of your practising certificate and at least 15 PDUs must be obtained from structured activities.

11. How do I report my CPD activities when applying for renewal of my practising certificate?

When you apply for renewal of your practising certificate, you will need to submit a declaration on Form PEB-CPD-A showing the PDUs obtained during a one-year period prior to your application for renewal.  A copy of the form, together with the detailed worksheets, can be obtained from the Board or can be downloaded from Board’s web site at http://www.peb.gov.sg. 

12. Do I need to send to the Board documentary proof that I have attended a CPD activity?

No, you do not need to submit documentary evidence each time you have attended a CPD activity.  You also do not need to submit documentary evidence together with your application for renewal of practising certificate.  You are however advised to retain the documentary evidence for a period of at least 2 years.

13. How long and why must I keep my documentary evidence of attendance at CPD activities?

You are advised to retain the documentary evidence for a period of at least 2 years.  The Board will conduct random audit of PEs each year and those selected will be asked to produce documentary evidence of their CPD participation during the particular period.  The documentary evidence may take any one of the following forms:

a) Summary of diary records or a log showing the activities claimed;

b) Course enrolment record;

c) Receipts;

d) Certificate of attendance;

e) Attendance list from course organiser;

f)  Employer’s report or certification;

g) Statutory declaration.

14. If I attend a CPD course or activity which is conducted overseas, could that activity be accredited or recognised by the Board?

Yes, the Board could consider such activities under the structured activities.  You have to apply to the Board for accreditation or recognition by providing the necessary details of the course or activity.

15. If I am a course organiser, how do I apply to have a course that I plan to organise to be accredited under the structured activity category?

You can submit your application using the form which is available from the Board’s web site at http://www.peb.gov.sg. 

16. Who can be a course organiser?  Do I need to apply to the Board in order to participate in the Board’s CPD program as a course provider?

Any individual or firm can be a course provider.  You do not need to apply to the Board to be a course provider in order to participate in the Board’s CPD program.

17. What are the criteria adopted by the Board on accreditation of structured activities?

The main criteria for accreditation of a Category 1 Structured Activity are:

• the activity should be relevant to the development of PEs; and

• there should be sufficient confidence that the knowledge could be imparted to the participants.

CPD activities will be assessed based on whether the above criteria could be met, and the following factors will be considered:

a) Topic of activity

    A synopsis of the activity will have to be submitted by the applicant.  The activity should be relevant to PEs practising in the 3 main disciplines, viz. civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, and this will be evaluated based on the synopsis submitted.

b) CV of the speaker

    The speaker is expected to satisfy the following criteria:

• is a PE who has more than 5 years of practical experience or involved in the research of specific engineering works;

• had published a paper on the subject in distinguished publications, conference proceedings, professional journals or books;

• is a non-PE, but possesses more than 10 years of specific experience in that relevant engineering field or involves in innovative engineering works; or

• possesses qualification or knowledge acceptable to the Board.

18. How long will the accreditation process take?

For the initial period, it should take not more than 2 weeks after an application has been received by the Board.

19. What will the Board do after an activity has been accredited?

If an activity has been accredited, the Board will notify the course organiser and a list showing accredited structured activities will also be posted on its web site at http://www.peb.gov.sg.

20. What are the responsibilities, if any, of a course organiser if his course has been accredited under the Category of Structured Activities?

A course organiser whose activity has been successfully accredited under the Category of Structured Activities is required to submit (either via e-mail or post) a copy of the attendance record to the Board for record.  This record will help the Board when carrying out random audits of PEs’ CPD records.