CPD: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions we regularly hear from members. 

If you have a CPD question, give us a call on 01 645 6670 or email memberservices@iii.ie

CPD: Frequently Asked Questions

  • I hold multiple designations with various professional bodies (e.g. The Insurance Institute, LIA, IoB). What are my CPD requirements?

    If you hold a professional designation, you must complete 15 hours formal CPD each year to meet your requirement, one of which must relate to ethics.

    The situation can be a little more complex if you hold multiple designations. Here are some scenarios that might help to clarify the situation – however, we’re here to chat you through the process. Call us on 01 645 6670 for further information.

    • Scenario A. If you hold an APA with both The Insurance Institute and the LIA, you must complete a total of 15 hours CPD between both designations (1 hour must be in ethics and 1 hour for each product category)
    • Scenario B. If you hold a CIP with The Insurance Institute and an APA Life with the LIA, you must complete a total of 15 hours between both qualifications (1 hour must be in ethics and 1 hour for each product category). You should record your CPD with the body who holds the most senior qualification – in this case, The Insurance Institute.
    • Scenario C. If you hold a CIP with The Insurance Institute and a QFA with the LIA, you must complete 15 hours CPD for each designation, i.e. a total of 30 hours. Some of the hours you complete may satisfy the CPD requirement for both bodies, so you can add this to both of your CPD records. If you hold both of these designations, you must record CPD for the CIP with The Insurance Institute and CPD for the QFA with the LIA.
  • How many CPD hours can I record for an exam?

    If you are subject to CPD requirements at the time you sit the exam, each successfully completed APA or CIP exam equates to 8 hours of CPD. This will be automatically added to your record once ratified results have been released.

  • I recently graduated. Do I have a CPD requirement?

    It all depends on when in the year you pass your last exam.

    If you're a new graduate awarded a designation (e.g. APA) following a January or May exam, you are subject to the following requirements for that calendar year.

    January/May

    You will need to complete 4 hours of CPD. This includes 1 hour of ethics and 1 hour per specified function fulfilled.

    September/November

    If your last exam was in September or November, your CPD requirement will begin in January the following year.

     

    If you hold an ACII/FCII designation by the CII you will need to check the CPD requirements that apply on the CII website 

    Learn more about CPD

  • I'm going abroad for a year – do I still have to do CPD?

    If you wish to maintain your designation during your time abroad, then you must continue to adhere to your CPD requirements and continue your membership with us. Luckily, we have a wide range of CPD eLearning online, which makes holding on to your designation while you're away that bit easier.

    If you choose not to maintain your designation and wish to have it reinstated at a later date, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee and will need to complete a block of CPD and/or an exam to do so. If you'd like to discuss your options, please contact our Member Services team on memberservices@iii.ie or 01 645 6670.

  • What happens if I miss the CPD deadline?

    If you do not submit or complete a full CPD return by 31 December contact the Member Services team on memberservices@iii.ie or 01 645 6670 to discuss the next steps.

    Here are some of the ways you might fail to meet your CPD requirement and the possible actions that may result under the Central Bank's MCC:

    You forgot to press 'Submit Annual Return' through the CPD compliance system

    This applies where a you've completed your annual CPD requirement in full, but did not click the ‘Submit Annual Return’ button. To rectify this, you need to access your online CPD portfolio, and press ‘Submit Annual Return’ by 31 January.

    You did not complete all CPD hours by 31 December

    In this instance, you must make up the shortfall within a grace period that extends to 31 December of the following year. In practice this means that by 31 December of the following year you must have that year’s CPD and the previous year’s shortfall completed and submitted. If this is the first time you did not complete your CPD on time a warning under the ‘five year shortfall rule’ will be applied to your record and your employer will be informed. If you do not complete your CPD for a second time within a five year period you are at risk of losing your professional designation.

  • I’m going on maternity/adoption/parental leave – do I still have to do CPD?

    If you are a Qualified or Grandfathered Person and are not providing financial advice during a defined period, you may be entitled to a pro rata reduction in the required number of CPD hours for any given year.

    You can request a pro rata adjustment in the following circumstances:

    • statutory maternity leave
    • statutory adoption leave
    • statutory block parental leave

    Pro rata adjustments are not granted in the following situations:

    • part-time work/job-sharing
    • holidays (including when taken immediately prior to or following maternity/adoption/parental/carer’s leave)

    If you wish to apply for a pro rata adjustment, download and complete the 'application for pro-rata adjustment of CPD hours' form and email it to the Member Services team at memberservices@iii.ie. We will then be in touch to let you know if your application is approved.

    Download form

  • Who monitors my CPD?

    If you are a Qualified or Grandfathered member, or if your designation has been transferred by the LIA to The Insurance Institute, we'll monitor your CPD compliance. We do this through:

    • an annual review of online CPD records in December of each year, and
    • a more detailed audit of portfolios supporting evidence in the first quarter of each calendar year.

    Line managers are also responsible for regularly reviewing the CPD of their staff.

    You can learn more in the CPD Rules document, available to download in your Member Area.

  • I’ve lost my designation. How do I get it back?

    The following reinstatement rules apply if your membership has lapsed or you have lost your designation due to non-compliance.

    Qualified Members (i.e. holders of APA, CIP, MDI, Dip L.A, CDip L.A, Dip PMI, DLA,
    DLDU and DLDC designations)

    In order to have your designation reinstated you'll need to pay membership, reinstatement and/or exam fees. Call us on 01 645 6670 for further information.

    You'll also need to:

    undertake and pass an exam, which will be specified by The Insurance Institute.

    OR

    complete any shortfall in CPD hours (in addition to the requirements for the year of reinstatement).

    Your designation will be reinstated once you have completed your CPD deficit.

    Grandfathered Persons

    If your Grandfathered status has been suspended due to non-compliance, contact us on 01 645 6670 or memberservices@iii.ie

    Learn more in the CPD Rules, available to download in your Member Area.