A: Structured: A ‘Structured’ activity is any professional development learning activity which in some way is organized and has some kind of formal structure to it (generally any activity that involves a group of individuals, and or is provided by or ‘put-on’ by some organization or individual). This includes traditional courses, workshops, conference sessions, lectures, organized tours, and delivering presentations, as well as informal organized events — such as networking sessions, tours and field trips (not self-guided), informal roundtables, etc. It also includes distance education/learning activities provided by any outside provider (i.e. not self-directed). Refer to the CPD System Guide for more details.

Unstructured: An ‘Unstructured’ activity is any self-directed professional development learning activity that a member independently engages in, in a self-directed way. Independent activities of all kinds can count as valid ‘Unstructured’ activities – from reading/reviewing articles, journals and books, to self-guided tours, self-directed research related to planning, or other self-directed learning opportunities of any kind. Credit is also given for various kinds of relevant volunteer work, including mentoring. Refer to the CPD System Guide for more details.

A: For professional development learning activities that don’t have clearly straightforward schedules, or where it is hard to clearly determine the exact amount of time in active learning (or recurring or varied activities – like volunteering), the simple ‘1.0 LU for 1.0 hour’ calculation is not possible. Therefore pre-determined guidelines for assigning LUs for such activities – like self-guided tours, reading and reviewing books or articles, preparing to give presentations, volunteering etc. – have been provided in the PIBC CPD System Guide.

Learning Units (LUs) for the majority of all other straightforward, organized events or Structured activities are calculated based on the simple 1.0 hour of active learning equals 1.0 Learning Unit (LU) formula, rounded to the nearest 1/4 hour, or 0.25 LU. Structured activities must be a minimum of 1/2 hour, or 0.50 LUs to be reported for CPD credit.

For example, a one day course that runs from 8:00am to 5:00pm (8 hours), which has two 15 minute breaks and a 1 hour lunch break during it will have a total of 6.5 hours of active learning, and will thus be worth 6.5 LUs.

Finally, for members that are unsure about calculating LUs for particular activities, please consult the CPD System Guide, and do not hesitate to contact PIBC for assistance.

A:  For any Structured learning activity Members attend or complete they will be required to self-report the activity and acquired Learning Units (LUs) by completing the online self-report form available through the PIBC and CIP websites. It is also important for Members to keep accurate back-up documentation of all courses, workshops, conferences, lectures or other organized activities that they attend to help ensure there is no discrepancy in the recording process.

For any Unstructured or self-directed learning activities Members complete, they will be required to self-report the activity and acquired LUs by also completing the online self-report form available through the PIBC and CIP websites.

A: Reporting periods are always annual, and correspond to the calendar year. Any activity undertaken or completed by Members between Jan. 1st and Dec. 31st of the current year can be reported for credit for the current reporting period (by the Dec. 31 reporting deadline). Activities and acquired LUs must be reported for the period within which they were actually undertaken or completed.

In most cases there are not any limits to how many Learning Units (LUs) a Member can report and claim for a particular activity. There are no limits for all straightforward ‘Structured’ activities (courses, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.), using the simple ‘1.0 LU for 1.0 hour’ calculation of total LUs. There are guidelines for the calculation of LUs for other less straightforward ‘Structured’ activities, as outlined in the CPD System Guide.

There are also some limits to how many Learning Units (LUs) can be reported and claimed for certain individual ‘Unstructured’ learning activities, based on the guidelines provided in the PIBC CPD System Guide. In addition, there is a total maximum limit of 9.0 ‘Unstructured’ LUs that may count towards the required 18.0 total LUs for each reporting period (calendar year).

A:  The CPD System relies, in part, on the honour system – in that Members’ reported activities and LUs will largely be accepted in good faith. Only in cases where there has been a clear error in calculating LUs, or where an activity is clearly and definitively not relevant to any kind of planning or planning related work, and is not reasonably relevant to the work of the particular Member would it possibly be rejected.

In addition, the Education Committee will conduct regular, random checks and reviews of Members’ CPD reports following each reporting deadline, and following up with any questions or problems.

Finally, members will receive a report of their received/accepted CPD activities and Learning Units from the Institute sometime early each new year, following the reporting deadline. Members can also contact the PIBC office or check online to inquire about their current standing with respect to their CPD.

A: The primary objective of the CPD System and requirements is to encourage all Members’ professional development.  PIBC is committed to helping members to be successful in completing their CPD System requirements, through provision of regular offerings; the annual conference; and access to CPD System information. Minor concerns will be assessed by the Education Committee to determine if the Member requires assistance or is subject to special circumstances affecting her or his ability to complete the annual CPD System requirements. However, as the System is mandatory, Members may cease to be in good standing with the Institute, or loose their membership due to non-compliance with the CPD System requirements, in accordance with the Bylaws and policies of the Institute.

A: Rare exemptions include medical leave and extraordinary circumstances, reviewed by the Education Committee on an individual basis.  Otherwise, all practicing Members must participate and satisfy the requirements.

While PIBC encourages ongoing professional development by all Members, Retired Members and Fellows, Honourary members, and former Members in good standing who voluntarily withdrew, resigned or were granted leave and formally transferred to Inactive/Non-practicing status do not need to comply during their absence from practicing Membership. Upon future reinstatement or admission as a practicing Member, the current requirements must then be maintained.

Members who are admitted as new Members, or who transfer in from another affiliate part way through a reporting period (year) are exempt from the requirements for that first partial year of PIBC Membership only, but must meet all requirements for the first full calendar year of Membership with PIBC.

Student and Associate members are also currently exempt from the requirements.

A: In accordance with policy decisions by PIBC Council, Provisional members are being brought in to the program and will be required to comply with the CPD System requirements in the coming years. The Education Committee is charged with developing additional policies, guidelines and rolling out the addition of Provisional members into the System.

A: While CIP is still developing a Canada-wide Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) program modeled on PIBC’s CPD System, PIBC will typically recognize and accept LUs for activities acquired and or accepted in other jurisdictions provided they are verifiable and meet the usual criteria of any CPD learning activity. Members must still self-report such activities and acquired LUs by completing the online self-report form available through the PIBC and CIP websites.

A: Distance education is defined as a method of instruction where there is a separation of place and/or time between the instructor or source, and the learner, between fellow learners, and/or the learners and the learning resources.  Distance education is a valid educational or professional development tool for all Members whether they live in remote locations or in more urban areas. Multiple delivery methods are possible. This is expected to be a useful method of accessing and accumulating Structured activities and Learning Units for Members in all locations throughout B.C. and the Yukon, and one which PIBC strongly supports and encourages.

Just some examples of distance-education program delivery include:

• Audiotape/audio conferencing
• Television programming (e.g. “Knowledge Network”)
• CD-ROM/software
• Computer software & on-line training
• Correspondence (written) courses
• Publication/articles
• Teleconference
•  Videotapes
• Internet courses, webinars, etc.

A: For newly admitted Members…
Upon becoming Members, such Members must comply with and maintain all current CPD requirements starting with their first full calendar year of Membership.

For Members who transfer in from another Affiliate…
Upon joining PIBC as Members, such Members must comply with and maintain all current CPD requirements starting with their first full calendar year of Membership.

Former Members (or non-practicing members) seeking reinstatement…
Former Members (or non-practicing members) who will seek reinstatement are strongly encouraged to earn and to track LUs. Upon reinstatement as Members, such Members must comply with and maintain all current CPD requirements starting with their first full calendar year of reinstated Membership.

A:  Yes, as long as it is not within the same reporting period (calendar year) and the content has been revised or updated.

A:  Yes; recognizing that Members’ access to ‘Structured’ activities in particular may vary from year to year, Members may carry up to 9.0 excess ‘Structured’ LUs forward for credit in the next subsequent reporting period (year) – and such carried forward LUs are only applied, if necessary, to meet any shortfall in that subsequent period. Members may not carry any individual ‘Unstructured’ LUs forward, and may not “bank” or carry forward excess LUs for more than one year.

A: Any number of organizations, groups and individuals may provide valid learning activities – ranging from post-secondary institutions, to non-profit organizations, professional associations, and private providers. PIBC works to identify and highlight external organizations or preferred providers of professional development learning activities for Members.

However outside providers of learning activities do not necessarily need to be pre-approved or endorsed by PIBC in order for the activities they provide to count as valid CPD. Members are encouraged to seek out and engage credible providers of relevant professional development learning activities wherever they may find them.

A:  No, not at all. ANY activity provided by any provider, undertaken by Members can count, so long as it is reasonably relevant to the work of that Member as a practicing planner. While PIBC works to identify and highlight external organizations or preferred providers of professional development learning activities for Members specific activities or providers DO NOT need to be identified or pre-approved by PIBC in order to count.

A:  No. PIBC recognizes that many Members do not do ‘traditional’ or ‘land-use’ planning work, and that, as professional planners, they engage in a very wide range of diverse kinds of work (and therefore undertake a very wide variety of learning activities, covering a wide range of topic areas – many of which may be seen as non-traditional).

For example, if a Member is a planner in forestry, and all the conferences, courses, workshops, and article reviews that Member has undertaken are related to forestry and forestry planning, rather than more traditional land-use planning, that is OK. That Member can and should report those activities for CPD credit, because they are relevant to their planning work. It is advisable that Members should always err on the side of reporting all activities they reasonably believe should count towards their CPD requirements.

While submissions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, only in cases where an activity is clearly and definitively beyond the realm of any kind of planning or planning related work, and is not reasonably relevant to the work of the particular Member, would it likely not count for CPD credit.

A: No. The intent is to acquire/investigate/explore new areas of information in addition to, or outside of the Members’ normal daily business or practice.  This requires the Members’ individual assessment of their experience, activities, and duties. There will always be new material to learn. The profession is constantly advancing and, as practicing professionals, Members must evolve with it.

A: Members who work in academic positions must also undertake ongoing professional development and report it in the same manner as other Members. Activities that are part of an academic Member’s day-to-day work (i.e. regularly scheduled lecturing, teaching regular courses, academic administration etc.) may not be reported for credit. However, outside presentations, conferences, seminars, workshops, volunteer work and other manner of activities that are not part of an academic Member’s day-to-day work may be reported for CPD credit.

A: Yes. This applies to either ‘outside’ consultants or industry representatives brought in by the business, workplace or practice, or information sessions organized from within the workplace or firm’s resources, to provide special workplace skills training or development.

A: Yes. Volunteer work related to Members’ professional planning work, including sitting on a PIBC Committee or Council, serving as a Mentor, or as an examiner, or other professional or community volunteer work can count for CPD credit, and be reported as valid self-directed Unstructured activities. Refer to the CPD System Guide for details on how to calculate LUs for volunteer work.

A: Members are responsible for maintaining their own back-up documentation and records supporting their professional development activities. PIBC strongly suggests that Members keep their records for the current year plus the immediate previous year.  Any PIBC CPD check or review will be done no later than the year following any self-reporting of a Member’s professional development activities.