Description

CPD Policy Template and Annexures for FSPs

The CPD Policy Template is an editable downloadable document designed for authorised Financial Services Providers that need a structured policy for managing Continuous Professional Development obligations for the FSP, key individuals and representatives.

This CPD Policy Template helps an FSP document how it plans, monitors, records and evidences CPD compliance during each CPD cycle. It also includes practical annexures to support CPD planning, skills gap assessments, CPD activity records, competence register controls, CPD reduction requests, non-compliance notices and annual CPD reporting.

For related compliance templates, you may also view our FAIS Representative Onboarding SOP Template, FAIS Disclosure Notice Template and FICA RMCP Template and Annexure Pack.

For official regulatory information, visit the FSCA FAIS Fit and Proper resources page.

What This CPD Policy Template Covers

This CPD Policy Template is structured to help an FSP move away from last-minute CPD tracking and build a clear, auditable process for managing ongoing competence. It is suitable for small FSPs, larger FSPs, FSPs with representatives and FSPs that need a practical CPD policy for their compliance file.

The template includes sections for:

• Document control and policy ownership
• Introduction, purpose and objectives
• Scope and application of the CPD policy
• Definitions used in CPD management
• Legislative and regulatory basis
• CPD policy principles
• Roles and responsibilities of the governing body, key individuals, representatives and compliance function
• CPD cycle and minimum CPD hours
• CPD planning and skills gap assessment
• Acceptable and unacceptable CPD activities
• Competence register and CPD records
• Monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual CPD monitoring controls
• CPD evidence submission and verification
• Pro-rata CPD calculations
• Reduction of CPD hours for qualifying absence
• Non-compliance and remedial action
• Reporting, review and retention requirements
• Policy ownership and approval

CPD Policy Template Annexures Included

The annexures included in this CPD Policy Template are designed to help the FSP implement the policy in practice, not only file it away. They provide usable records that can support internal monitoring, compliance reviews and inspection readiness.

The annexures include:

• Annexure A: CPD Cycle Plan Template
• Annexure B: Skills and Competency Assessment
• Annexure C: CPD Activity Record
• Annexure D: Competence Register Minimum Fields
• Annexure E: Request for Reduction of CPD Hours
• Annexure F: CPD Non-Compliance Notice
• Annexure G: Annual CPD Report Checklist
• Annexure H: Client Customisation Checklist

Why Your FSP Needs a CPD Policy Template

CPD is an ongoing fit and proper requirement. It is not only about collecting certificates at the end of the CPD cycle. An FSP must be able to show that it monitors competence, records completed CPD activities, verifies evidence and takes corrective action where a key individual or representative falls behind.

This CPD Policy Template helps the FSP create a clearer process for managing CPD obligations from the start of the cycle until final reporting after the cycle ends.

This template helps address common CPD weaknesses such as:

• No written CPD policy in the compliance file
• No CPD cycle plan for key individuals and representatives
• No structured skills gap assessment
• Waiting until the final month of the CPD cycle to follow up
• Incomplete CPD certificates or evidence
• No record of rejected or duplicated CPD evidence
• No documented pro-rata CPD calculation
• No process for CPD reduction requests
• No CPD non-compliance notice template
• No annual CPD report checklist

Who Should Use This CPD Policy Template?

• Authorised Financial Services Providers
• Key Individuals responsible for competence oversight
• FSPs with appointed representatives
• FSPs with representatives under supervision
• Compliance officers assisting FSPs
• Administrators responsible for CPD evidence and competence registers
• FSPs preparing for compliance monitoring or FSCA queries

Editable and Customisable CPD Template

This CPD Policy Template is editable and must be customised before adoption. The FSP must insert its name, FSP number, policy owner, responsible key individual, compliance function, internal deadlines, evidence storage location, CPD monitoring process and approval details.

The template also includes client notes to guide customisation. These notes should be removed before the final policy is approved and used by the FSP.

Important Compliance Note

This CPD Policy Template is a compliance support document and does not replace legal advice or a full fit and proper compliance review. Each FSP remains responsible for ensuring that its final policy is accurate, implemented, reviewed and aligned with its licence categories, representatives, key individuals, competence register and current FSCA requirements.