Following extensive discussion and direction from the membership, PIBC Council and the Education Committee developed and endorsed a mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) System. The system is enabled by new bylaws, which were endorsed by a membership vote on May 8th, 2003.

The development of the CPD system unfolded over several years, and continues to be monitored, evaluated and refined.

CPD System Development – Timeline:

• 2000 – Task Force on Continuing Education and Professional Development is established, undertaking research and exploration of professional development needs and opportunities. Releases report: Current Trends in Continuing Education & Professional Development
• 2001 – Task Force releases interim report: Continuing Education for PIBC Members: Mandatory vs. Voluntary Certification
• 2002 – Task Force outlines direction for professional development system for PIBC; authoring and publishing discussion article: The Profession We Want
• 2003 – PIBC members vote to amend bylaws to implement mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for members.
• 2004 – First CPD reporting period is rolled out and first annual reporting deadline for members
• 2006 – CPD system is further updated and refined, including the addition of specific compliance measures and processes

As the CPD system has further developed and been refined in line with some of the following key goals of the program:

• Ensuring professional planners in British Columbia and the Yukon maintain the highest professional standards and latest knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities relevant to the theory, methods, and practice of planning
• Ensuring that the program is flexible and diverse, reflecting the breadth and diversity of planning practice
• Ensuring that there were mechanisms and processes in place for the regular reporting of CPD activities to the Institute by members, and appropriate compliance monitoring and enforcement of CPD requirements by the Institute
• Ensuring that there are program guidelines for members in planning academia
• Ensuring that Provisional members are brought into the mandatory CPD system over time.
• Ensuring that appropriate CPD learning activities and professional development content are available and delivered by both the Institute and appropriate external professional development providers.

The CPD system continues to be monitored, evaluated and refined by the Education Committee (under the direction of PIBC Council) and under the leadership of the Education Chair.