HPCSA CPD points are earned through participation in various educational and professional activities that help healthcare practitioners maintain and enhance their skills and knowledge. Each activity is assigned Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and practitioners must accumulate these units to comply with HPCSA regulations.
The CPD program is regulated by Section 26 of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act 56 of 1974). This ensures that health practitioners continue to meet high standards throughout their careers, both in terms of professional practice and ethics.
What Qualifies for CPD Points?
CPD points can be earned through various forms of learning, including:
- Workshops and conferences related to healthcare.
- Online courses that have been pre-approved by the HPCSA.
- Research and academic work.
- Ethics, human rights, and medical law courses, which are particularly important as they ensure practitioners are up-to-date with the ethical and legal aspects of their profession.
How Long Are CEUs Valid?
Each Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is valid for 24 months from the date of completion. Practitioners must accumulate a minimum number of points within a two-year cycle to remain compliant. It’s recommended that healthcare professionals maintain an ongoing balance of points to avoid any issues at the end of each cycle.
How to Check Your HPCSA CPD Points
Checking your CPD points is easy thanks to the HPCSA’s online self-service platform. Here’s how to check your CPD points:
- Log in to the HPCSA portal.
- Go to your Account Settings.
- Click on your name in the top right-hand corner and select Account Overview.
- Navigate to the My CPDs tab to view your accumulated points.
The HPCSA has made this process more streamlined by allowing practitioners to monitor their own compliance and submit their certificates online.
To check your CPD status, go to the Account Settings page and click on your name in the top righthand corner and select Account Overview.
9. Click on the My CPDs tab on the Account Overview page.
10. The summary of CPD activity screen will indicate CPD compliance with the option to download compliance letter enabled. Choose Click here to proceed.
11. CPD work page will show the status of recorded CPD activities. If you are compliant, you will be able to Download letter confirming compliance by clicking on the highlighted link.
12. If you are not compliant, or would like to add CPD documents, choose the Add new CPD option at the bottom of the same CPD summary page.
13. Complete the required fields on the CPD Form page and click the Submit button.
14. A service request number will be emailed to you.
15. To check if your request has been resolved, go to the Support History page displaying your current status.
*Please note:
- Only certificates issued within the past two years are valid for CEUs claims.
- Queries will be resolved within 21 days.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.