CPD Credits and Documentation

To fulfil the requirements of the ASAR CPD program, Sonographers must accumulate 40 CPD credits in each triennium. The first triennium begins on 1st January of the year following the Sonographer’s name being entered onto the Register. CPD credits can be accumulated immediately following entry on to the Register.

The diversity of educational activities accepted by the Registry ensures that all Sonographers have access to eligible CPD activities.

ASAR recognises 13 broad groups of activities in which CPD credits may be acquired. Activities are allocated a number of CPD credits taking into account the duration and level of involvement in the activity. Certain activities have a maximum number of CPD credits which can be acquired in a given triennium. This capping of credits ensures a diversity of CPD activity.

These activities as well as their CPD credits allocation are displayed in Table 1.

Some activities are not considered valid CPD activities as they demonstrate no professional development attributes.

For example:

• teaching student Sonographers as part of your usual paid employment, unless it is in the form of formal in-house education meeting sessions
• speaking at career information nights or teaching general ultrasound principles to nursing groups, primary schools etc.

In addition, some activities which occur outside normal clinical practice do not constitute continuing professional development activities as these occur within the confines of a paid employment relationship.

For example:

• paid lecturing/tutorial positions at universities.

As a general principle, a valid CPD activity should be performed in a voluntary/honorary capacity. It should not represent part of your usual paid employment duties and it should expand your existing knowledge.

*principal author is the first named author on the published paper.
** non-principal author includes any listed author subsequent to the first author on a paper.

Check the CPD FAQs for more information on examples of activities and whether they are claimable for CPD points.

Documentation for ASAR CPD Program

For audit purposes, all Sonographers must maintain a personal record of verifiable documentation for all CPD activities submitted on the CPD Activity Report. ASAR recognises that there are numerous methods by which accredited Sonographers can verify their participation in a CPD activity.

Accepted methods for documentation of CPD activities are described in Table 1. 

Certificates
Most educational providers issue certificates of attendance. Certificates should include the following information:

• meeting/program title
• convenor’s name
• date
• participant’s name (may be handwritten)
• allocated CPD Credits
• ASAR Activity Code
• Postcode of location where the meeting was conducted

Registration Receipt
If certificates are not provided or you lose your certificate of attendance, a financial receipt of registration to educational meetings is sufficient. The receipt must clearly state the following information:

• meeting/program title
• participant’s name
• date

Supervisor’s Validation Form
The ASAR recognises that not all CPD activities include a certificate of attendance; for example, grand rounds and in-house seminars.

Documentation of attendance at these meetings must be recorded on a Supervisor’s Validation Form as outlined in Table 2.

All entries in the Supervisor’s Validation Form must be signed by the supervising Sonographer or medical practitioner.

Meeting/Program/Workshop Brochures
Brochures that document your name as a presenter of works presented at live scanning workshops or meetings will be accepted as evidence of participation in this CPD activity. Brochures must clearly state the following information:

• meeting / program name
• convenor
• date
• Title of presentation
• Name of presenter
• Duration of presentation
• Postcode of location where the meeting was conducted

Self-Directed Learning Activity Statement
A Self-Directed Learning Activity Statement is evidence of self-directed learning activity. A learning outcome is a statement, which reflects additional knowledge gained from the activity, which may be used to change or reinforce your current clinical practice. A template proforma is outlined in Table 3.

Alternative documentation
Other verifiable documentation of participation in a CPD activity will be accepted at the discretion of the ASAR Council.

CPD Activity Report

A CPD activity report is the method of logging CPD activities onto your personal ASAR CPD database.

A template proforma is outlined in Table 4.

Entering CPD Activities onto your personal CPD database

CPD activities must be entered directly into your personal CPD database by following the prompts on the ASAR website. You must retain documentation of all CPD activities for which you claim CPD credits.

Login to ASAR Member Area