Professional competence requirements

I am not clear what I need to do to maintain my competence

All doctors in the general, specialist and supervised division of the register have a duty to maintain professional competence by enrolling in a professional competence scheme and engaging in maintenance of professional competence activities which are relevant to their practice. For the 2026-2027 scheme year all doctors must:

· accrue a minimum of 50 credits for continuing professional development activities, and participate in one clinical/practice audit.

o Further information as to breakdown of these 50 CPD hours can be found in the Medical Council’s Information Booklet on the new MPC Framework

· record participation in these activities with their professional competence scheme.

· declare that you are maintaining your professional competence when retaining registration with the Medical Council.

I am worried that I will be told that I need to engage in various activities that do not fit with my practice

Maintenance of professional competence is a flexible, self-directed and practice-based process for which each doctor is responsible, in compliance with Standards set by the Medical Council. You will assess your own needs and develop a unique and personal plan for the maintenance of professional competence. Recognised postgraduate training bodies will provide support, and will suggest examples of applicable activities, but the question of prescribing a curriculum does not arise. You are responsible and accountable for your own maintenance of professional competence. You should engage in activities which interest you and which will ultimately benefit your practice.

I am worried that I will not find time and support to maintain my professional competence

All of the professional competence activities in which you will engage will be relevant to your day-to-day practice of medicine. Most will be part of your day-to-day practice (e.g. clinical audit, participation in local practice-based quality assurance activities etc). You are responsible and accountable for your own maintenance of professional competence. As the process is flexible and self-directed, you should allow time for activities which will support you in your day-to-day activities. The Act requires employers to facilitate the maintenance of professional competence. Additional support has been established by the HSE for non-consultant hospital doctors in non-training positions: Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme.

I am worried that by enrolling in a professional competence scheme I will be subjected to a performance assessment

A referral to performance assessment can only occur if the Medical Council receives a complaint about you. Enrolling in a scheme to support your maintenance of professional competence will help you to improve your practice continually. Professional competence schemes established by the Medical Council under arrangement with recognised postgraduate training bodies are not designed to assess performance, nor are they intended to create referral of complaints to the Medical Council.

I want to engage in activities which are not accredited by recognised postgraduate training bodies

External activities which have been accredited by recognised postgraduate training bodies have been reviewed to ensure quality. However, from time to time you may engage in educational activities which have not been through an accreditation process by a recognised postgraduate training body. You should satisfy yourself that these activities are relevant to your own need and reflect on how they benefit your maintenance of professional competence.