CPD for CGeogs
Continuing Professional Development demonstrates your professional integrity and expertise to employers and clients.
It also shows that you are committed to developing your career by keeping your knowledge, skills and experience up to date.
The page provides specific information about the expectations for Chartered Geographers. Your employer may also have advice about, or a structure for, professional development and learning that will support your career.
The Society reviews the CPD activities of Chartered Geographers each year. From 2025 onwards, all Chartered Geographers will be expected to submit CPD via My CPD in our online CPD portal. You will be prompted to log in if you haven't already.
Further guidance can be found on Navigating MyCPD.
We will provide written confirmation for all annual CPD submissions. Feedback and guidance on your CPD are also available upon request.
If you’d like further advice on completing your CPD record please get in touch via cgeog@rgs.org
How much CPD is expected?
Chartered Geographers are expected to complete 35 hours of CPD each year.
A CPD record of 35 hours would normally include:
- 15 hours of CPD completed internally (e.g. offered by your employer).
- 20 hours of CPD completed externally.
- No more than 5 hours accumulated on any single day even if the activity lasts longer, though some activities may cross multiple days.
Chartered Geographers who are working part-time or job-sharing, based overseas, on long-term leave (e.g. parental leave), unemployed or retired are normally expected to provide evidence of CPD or professional engagement during the course of the year in order to retain their status, but it may be pro-rated or exempted for particular circumstances.
Chartered Geographers who require adjusted annual CPD requirements or a CPD exemption can apply through MyCPD.
Please contact us on cgeog@rgs.org for advice and view our general guidance for CPD.
Events and activities are limited to a maximum of 5 hours per day, regardless of whether they are external or internal, or the format that they take.
The hours allowance for some activities, for example preparing for and delivering publications and presentations, will vary and are difficult to define. We will consider these in light of the work required and evidence of their wider professional impact.
Please describe this clearly in your CPD record, and ask our advice via cgeog@rgs.org if you have questions.
What types of CPD are expected?
A broad range of activities can support professional development. Examples include formal training courses, on-the-job learning, self-directed learning, offering or receiving mentoring and coaching, consultancy and expert advice, writing publications, participating in conferences, workshops, presentations and discussions, and promoting geography and Chartered Geographer.
Chartered Geographers are encouraged to continuously reflect on how their professional development activities support their development in relation to the Chartered Geographer Framework of Competencies and relate to the career goals and development objectives agreed with their employer (especially any internal development frameworks).
Professional development opportunities with the Society
The Society offers a range of meetings and events in London and around the UK. When browsing our online listings, look for the Chartered Geographer 'CPD mark' to identify those that are suitable for professional development:
Professional development support for teachers
How should CPD be recorded?
All Fellows of the Society are encouraged to record their CPD through the Society’s online CPD portal, MyCPD. You will be prompted to log in if you haven't already.
If you are not a Society Fellow, you are encouraged to use the Society's Chartered Geographer CPD template, which has been designed to support you in reflecting upon your professional development activities. However, it is a guide only and you may choose to use your own format and one preferred by your employer.
If you prefer to use your own structure and layout for recording CPD, please ensure that you include as a minimum:
- A title and short description of the CPD, and whether it was external or internal;
- The number of hours accrued;
- A self-evaluation statement that reflects on your progress and plans for the year ahead.
You should refer to the Chartered Geographer Framework of Competencies and your employer’s professional development frameworks, for possible areas of focus appropriate to your role, organisation, sector and career stage.
CPD review and certification
The Society confirms receipt of, and checks the content of, all CPD records submitted by Chartered Geographers each year. This confirmation can be used to confirm to your employer and clients that you are engaging in appropriate professional development.
Over and above this check, the Society also offers CPD certification to current Chartered Geographers and those on the Professional Pathway to Chartered Geographer. In return, your CPD record will be reviewed with constructive feedback provided. This will include written confirmation that the record has been reviewed.
The option to request a more comprehensive review of your CPD log will be given in your annual confirmation. From 2025 onwards, CPD certification requests will only be accepted via MyCPD.
If you have any questions about CPD certification, please contact cgeog@rgs.org
Navigating MyCPD
Read the guide to MyCPD, our online portal where Fellows of the Society can record CPD.
CPD mark for employers and professional development providers
Find out about our CPD mark for CPD from employers and professional development providers
Chartered Geographer CPD Guidance
Please review our guidance below for details on exceptions and reasonable adjustments designed to assist you in applying for and maintaining your Chartered Geographer status.