Credit points now mandatory pan India, All doctors have to attend CPD programs

New Delhi: With the new Code of Conduct being released for doctors across the country, attending Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs and consequently earning 30 credit hours in a 5-year period will have to be mandatory for all doctors for renewal of licence to practice. Violation of the same can lead non-renewal of registration and may also lead to a suspension of license for a period of 30 days.

The National Medical Commission notified  “National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023 which have come in force effective 2nd August, 2023

Clause 4 of the guidelines makes it mandatory for all registered medical practitioners to participate in certified Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs carrying credit points. A total of 30 credit points will have to be accumulated over a period of 5 years for the purpose of renewal of registration of the licence to practice.

Continuing Professional Development Program: A RMP should attend continuing professional development programs regularly each year, totaling at least 30 credit hours every five years. Only recognized medical colleges and health institutions or medical Societies accredited or authorized by EMRB/State Medical Councils can offer trainings and credit hours for this purpose. Credit hours awarded shall be updated online against the Unique Registration Number of RMP on the EMRB-NMC website. Renewal of License to practice should be done every 5 years,  after submitting documentation of CPD credit hours. The license renewal form will allow updates of details like specialization, place of work, address, contact details, or any other detail specified by EMRB/NMC.

The NMC has released separate CPD guidelines that lay out the process of delivery of CPD programmes, the assignment of CPD points, the linkage of CPD points with the renewal of licences by the EMRB or the State Medical Council, and the penalties involved in the event of non-compliance to mandated CPD requirements. The document also lays down a clear-cut difference between Continuous Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)  Programs.  Emphasis has been laid by the NMC on creating a culture where RMPs do not view CPD and recertification as a threat but as a responsibility to provide patient care and services of the highest order.

Having said that the violation of the CPD clause can draw Level 2 penalty and can lead to suspension of the license to practice for up to one month (30 days)

Till now,  CME programs have been a norm across the country with many states linking the CME credit hours to renewal of registration. This has been implemented in many states such as Maharashtra, Telangana, etc. Yet, there are many states and UTs such as Delhi, which do not require CME credit hours for renewal

With the CPD credit hours now being included as part of the new Code of Ethics, this will have to be implemented for doctors pan India with the implementation of the policies resting with the respective state medical councils.