Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D)
The Massage Association of Australia (MAA) places a strong emphasis on the ongoing education and development of its members. Recognising that the field of massage and manual therapy is ever-evolving, MAA is dedicated to ensuring that practitioners remain at the forefront of their profession. This commitment to continuous improvement not only enhances the skills and knowledge of therapists but also ensures the highest standard of care for clients and patients.
To achieve this, the MAA has established a comprehensive Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D) program. This program is designed to support practitioners in their pursuit of excellence and to keep them updated with the latest advancements and best practices in the industry.
Purpose of CPE/D
The primary objectives of the MAA's Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D) policy are:
- Enhance Professional Competence: To ensure members maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide the highest quality of care to clients. Ongoing education is crucial in a constantly evolving field to stay current with the latest techniques, research, and best practices.
- Promote Lifelong Learning: To encourage a culture of lifelong learning among members, fostering an environment where continual improvement and professional growth are prioritized. This helps members adapt to changes within the industry and maintain their relevance and effectiveness as practitioners.
- Uphold Professional Standards: To uphold the standards of the profession as outlined in the MAA Member Standards documents. Adhering to high standards ensures consistency, reliability, and trust in the services provided by MAA members.
- Enhance Career Opportunities: To provide members with opportunities for career advancement and specialisation. Professional development opens doors to new career paths, roles, and responsibilities within the massage therapy field.
Importance of CPE/D
Clients and patients seeking massage or manual therapy services from unregulated health professionals who are members of a professional self-regulated body, such as the MAA, are entitled to receive care from therapists who are proficient, up-to-date, and knowledgeable in their field. Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D) ensures that therapists maintain and enhance their competencies, aligning with the high standards expected of all health practitioners and therapists in Australia. CPE/D is not only a professional obligation but also a commitment to providing safe, effective, and high-quality care to all clients and patients.
Each objective of the CPE/D policy is fundamental for various reasons:
- Ensuring Client Safety and Satisfaction: By continually updating their skills and knowledge, members can deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based treatments. This commitment to excellence enhances client trust and satisfaction.
- Adapting to Industry Changes: The health and wellness industry is dynamic, with frequent advancements and emerging trends. Continuous education enables members to stay ahead of these changes and integrate new methodologies into their practice.
- Meeting Regulatory and Accreditation Requirements: Compliance with professional standards and regulations is essential for maintaining licensure and accreditation. Regular participation in CPE/D activities ensures members meet these critical requirements.
- Fostering Professional Growth: Investing in ongoing education and development contributes to personal and professional growth. It empowers members to achieve their full potential, expand their expertise, and enhance their professional reputation.
Application of CPE/D
Members are advised to refer to the MAA Member Standards document for guidelines on the application of CPE/D activities. This policy document outlines acceptable forms of continuing education, how to document and report completed activities, and the criteria for evaluating the relevance and quality of CPE/D programs.
MAA’s CPD/E is broken into three types:
- Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (CCPE/D)
- Non-Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (NCPE/D)
- Unrelated Continuing Professional Education/Development (UCPE/D)
MAA requires regular, ongoing CPE/D instead of an annual points-based model. This approach supports planned professional development from various providers. MAA will offer free CPE/D events that exceed member requirements, without preventing members from pursuing longer or non-point awarding CPE/D. It is recommended that members also engage in other CPE/D activities in addition to the provided events to enhance their professional growth.
Application of Program
In the MAA’s Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D) Program, one point equals about an hour of study or activity. The MAA’s Education Committee can adjust this if the content is considered highly valuable. Points are given in 0.5 increments and rounded up. Points apply to Clinical (CCPE/D) and Non-Clinical (NCPE/D) activities, but not to Unrelated (UCPE/D) activities. Points are valid for 1 year from the date of completion.
Points can be awarded by submitting evidence either through direct upload via the portal or, if assistance is needed, by sending the evidence to the office. The submission will be reviewed and confirmed against your profile, with points being awarded for the most relevant type of Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D). It is advisable to submit CPD/E as soon as practical after the activity/event to avoid falling below the minimum requirement.
CPE/D for any single activity/event is capped at 10 points, even if it is over 10 hours. Exemptions to the cap are listed below or can be applied for through the Education Committee.
Exclusions and Restrictions
Courses and training that are required to meet membership compliance (i.e., HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid) are not eligible for CPD/E points unless specified by MAA to be an exception. Additionally, the same source document or training resource cannot be used again within 24 months of the last submission, unless prior approval is given by the MAA Education committee.
No unapproved self-directed/paced learning is permitted, including clinical self-assessments. MAA’s Informal Reflective review will no longer be accepted.
Inclusions, Exemptions, and Waivers
Approved initial qualification courses will provide 20 points from the date of completion. If the initial qualification course was completed more than 12 months ago, a 6-month waiver will be applied to the course, granting the 20 points. During this period, members must obtain more than your minimum CPE/D points requirement to prevent repercussions.
Courses conducted over 6 months or longer can have the nominal hours split monthly, not exceeding 10 hours per month, and applicable only for direct contact nominal hours.
MAA fast track CPE/D programs can be used to obtain 20 points in one event, and all normal restrictions do not apply. This is only to be used during periods of leave or other unexpected times with approval from MAA.
Application to conduct self-directed/paced learning, such as a book review, must be sent to the MAA Education Committee for approval. Upon approval, an event will be placed in our education portal for members to complete.
Records
Records of all CPD/E activities should be meticulously maintained to avoid any potential repercussions. Members are to ensure evidence of training records or other documents are uploaded to the member portal. Failing to have documents on file may result in repercussions. MAA will assist with the storage of evidence on your behalf. While it is important to ensure that you are completing CPD/E, it is equally important to be storing the evidence of completion.
MAA will hold suitable evidence for all registered modalities and CPD/E for the life of your membership and at the completion of your membership in accordance with MAA’s membership data retention policy. This means that you will be able to obtain a copy of your lodged CPD/E if something happens to your copy. Records CANNOT be uploaded before the event/activity has taken place.
Compliance and Repercussions
All members must comply with the CPE/D policy. Failure to meet the requirements as set forth in this policy and the Member Standards document may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to:
- Suspension of accreditation
- Suspension of membership
- Revocation of membership
- Other penalties as outlined in the MAA Compliance Policy
Additionally, MAA will conduct audits of members' CPE/D records randomly. If a member is found to be below the minimum requirements, they will be given 10 days to provide evidence that they are compliant before further action is commenced. For detailed information on repercussions and the appeals process, please refer to the MAA Compliance Policy (PDF DOWNLOAD).
CPE/D Documents
- expires 30/04/2025
MAA Continuing Professional Education / Development Reflective Review
MAA How to upload your own CPD
CPE/D (maa.org.au)