GPs, nurses/midwives and pharmacists are frequent bookers of CBD College's first aid and CPR courses, and each profession sits under a different continuing professional development (CPD) framework — so the requirements, and how they're recorded, genuinely differ by profession. The course questions common to all three are covered at the end.
General Practitioners
Do GPs need to complete a CPR course? Yes. CPR is a high-level requirement of the RACGP CPD Program. Specialist GPs must complete a CPR course once every triennium. This is an RACGP requirement rather than something mandated by the Medical Board of Australia.
How often do I need to renew it? Once every three years. The current triennium runs 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. Unlike the annual CPD requirements, GPs have the full three years to update their CPR skills.
Does CBD College's course meet the RACGP requirement? Yes. The RACGP requires a CPR course of at least one hour that meets Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines. CBD College's CPR course (HLTAID009) runs 1.5 hours, includes defibrillator (AED) training, and is consistent with current ARC guidelines. The RACGP also accepts basic life support and advanced life support courses that include CPR.
How many CPD points do I get for it? CPD is no longer measured in points. Since 1 January 2023, under the Medical Board of Australia's CPD registration standard, it's measured in hours. The Medical Board has determined that CPR courses count towards the Educational Activities CPD type, so GPs log the hours spent on the course there.
What are the overall annual CPD requirements? 50 hours a year, made up of 12.5 hours of educational activities, 25 hours reviewing performance and measuring outcomes (with a minimum of 5 hours of each), and 12.5 hours of the GP's own choosing. GPs also need a Professional Development Plan, and the time spent preparing and reviewing it counts towards the 50 hours.
Where do I record it? Self-recorded through the GP's CPD home — for most GPs that's the RACGP's MyCPD. The CPR high-level requirement is reported in the final year of the triennium.
Do I need to submit my certificate to anyone? No. There is no unit that allocates points. GPs keep their statement of attainment as their own evidence in case they're asked for it.
Nurses and Midwives
Do nurses need a first aid or CPR certificate? The NMBA doesn't specifically mandate first aid or CPR for registration, but many employers require current CPR or basic life support as a condition of the role, and the training counts towards CPD either way. Check your employer's policy for what they require and how often.
How many CPD hours do I need? A minimum of 20 hours of CPD per registration period. If you've held registration for less than 12 months, pro rata hours apply.
How do I claim CPD for a first aid or CPR course? CPD for nurses and midwives is self-directed and self-recorded. You log the hours yourself against your own CPD record, together with a short reflection on how the learning applies to your practice. Your statement of attainment is the supporting evidence.
Do I submit my certificate to my association to claim PD points? No. No association allocates PD points to nurses — the obligation to record CPD is yours, and the framework is measured in hours rather than points. If a professional association provides a CPD log, it's fine to use as a tool, but recording remains the nurse's own responsibility.
How long do I need to keep my records? The NMBA recommends keeping evidence of CPD for five years, in case of audit.
What does the certificate show? The statement of attainment lists the unit code and title, the date of completion, and the issuing RTO — CBD College Pty Ltd, RTO 91399.
Does the course meet ARC guidelines? Yes. CBD College's CPR course (HLTAID009) includes defibrillator (AED) training and is consistent with current Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
Pharmacists
How many CPD credits do I get? Two credits per hour. CBD College's courses are nationally recognised units of competency and are formally assessed, which places them in Group 2 — knowledge or skills improved with assessment.
Does the online workbook count, or only the practical session? Both. The online workbook forms part of the same assessed unit of competency as the practical session, so the whole course attracts Group 2 credits — not just the time in the room.
How many credits do I need, and what are the groups?
| Group | What it covers | Credits per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Information accessed without assessment (capped at 50% of annual total) | 1 |
| Group 2 | Knowledge or skills improved with assessment | 2 |
| Group 3 | Quality or practice improvement facilitated | 3 |
A minimum of 40 CPD credits is required each CPD period, with at least 20 of those credits coming from Group 2 or Group 3 activities.
When does the CPD year run? 1 October to 30 September.
Do I submit my certificate anywhere? No. Pharmacists record and track their own CPD. The statement of attainment is the evidence — it lists the unit code and title, the completion date, and the issuing RTO (CBD College, RTO 91399).
Is the certificate accepted outside my state? Yes. It's a nationally recognised statement of attainment and is accepted anywhere in Australia.
Where can I read more about recording CPD? The PSA explains how to record CPD at psa.org.au/cpd/about-cpd.
Common to all three professions
Which course should I do? Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) includes the CPR unit, so there's no need to book both.
How does the course run? A short online learning component completed in your own time, then one hands-on practical session at a location near you. The nationally recognised statement of attainment is issued the same day you attend.
How long is the certificate valid? Nationally recognised first aid certification is generally treated as current for three years, with an annual CPR refresher.
Do I need a USI? Yes — a Unique Student Identifier is required before a nationally recognised certificate can be issued. It's free and takes a few minutes at usi.gov.au. See Certificates & USI for the full USI process, including Student Portal login and troubleshooting.
Can you train our whole team? Yes — get in touch and CBD College will arrange a group session.
Relevant courses: CPR (HLTAID009), Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) and Childcare First Aid (HLTAID012) — see First Aid, CPR & Childcare First Aid for current durations, prices and what to bring, or book a class.
CPD requirements are set by each profession's registration body and can change. Students should check current requirements with their board or CPD home — the information above is a guide, not advice.
Sources: RACGP (Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Guide; CPD at the RACGP; FAQs on the new MBA CPD registration standard effective 1 January 2023); Medical Board of Australia (Continuing Professional Development; About CPD homes); NMBA (Guidelines: Continuing professional development; CPD fact sheet); Australian College of Pharmacy (CPD Requirements); PSA (About CPD).