Continuing Education Credits (CEC)

1. Introduction

The Continuing Education Credit (CEC) policy was introduced in 1996.
The Continuing Education Credit (CEC) programme is designed to be flexible and is reviewed regularly in order to meet the changing professional needs of Chartered members and the community expectation of natural healthcare practitioners.

2. What are CEC’s?

Continuing Education Credits are defined as a well-structured program for further education of graduates in the professional modalities/therapies in which they practice.
The Charter’s CEC Policy is designed to ensure all practitioners regularly update their clinical skills and professional knowledge. One of the main roles of CEC’s is to bridge the gap between the skills and knowledge gained as a student, and the skills and knowledge that is required to be maintained in clinical practice. Being taught and obtaining a qualification is quite different than actually being able to apply it in clinical practice.

The Charter’s CEC program is acknowledged as being an integral part of a practitioner’s professional standing. Being a professional person generally implies a commitment to updating and furthering one's education. It is not enough for a person to become a professional, one must remain a professional.

3. Principles which comprise the Charter’s CEC Policy

The NZCHP (CEC) Continuing Education Policy is founded on the following principles:
1) Is easily accessible to all members, regardless of geographic location
2) Members should be given broad latitude in the selection and design of their individual learning programs
3) Applicable to not only the disciplines in which a member has Charter accreditation, but also to other practices that are relevant to clinical practice which the Charter does not accredit eg, yoga, toe tickling, etc
4) Applicable to not only clinical practice, but also to all activities associated in managing a small business eg bookkeeping, advertising, marketing etc
5) Seminars, workshops and conferences that qualify for CEC credits must be of a high standard and encompass both broad based topics as well as discipline-specific topics
6) Effectively managed by a committee specifically established to develop and implement CEC
7) Financially viable, so that costs will not inhibit participation by Chartered members, especially those in remote areas
8) Relevant to the learning needs of practitioners, taking into account different learning styles and needs
9) Collaborative process between professional associations, teaching institutions, suppliers of natural healthcare products and devices and government agencies to offer members the widest possible choice in CEC activities
10) Emphasis on consultation and co-operation with Chartered members in the development and implementation of the CEC credit program.

4. The CEC (Continuing Education Committee)

The role of the CEC Committee is to oversee and be responsible for reviewing, implementing and monitoring the CEC program, and ensure that the CEC program is of the highest standard to match the expectations and requirements of members.
The membership of the CEC Committee is appointed by the Registration Board Executive. The CEC Committee meets no less than three times per year.
The CEC Committee is the point of contact to receive, assess and implement suggestions from members.

5. Number of CEC Credits Required

Members in clinical practice must accumulate a minimum of 20 CEC Credits per annum, commencing and ending in the financial year.
The general rule is that one hour of activity equates with one CEC Credit. For example, an all day seminar/workshop involves attendance as well as study of the reading material and has therefore been allocated 10 CEC Credits.
If a member exceeds 20 CEC Credits in a year, a maximum of 10 CEC Credits can be carried over into the next year.

6. CEC and Non-Practicing Members

As members may be non-practicing for a number of reasons eg maternity leave, recovery from illness, family illness, travelling overseas etc, mandatory CEC is only applicable to members in clinical practice. When a member returns to clinical practice, the member is bound by CEC requirements.

7. CEC Record Keeping

The onus of record keeping is the responsibility of each member. Members are requested to confirm their CEC requirements by declaration prior to membership renewal in each financial year. The requirement of proof is an essential factor in the CEC credit process, and the evidence produced must be reasonably self-evident that the activity was undertaken. Proof of a dubious nature will not be accepted.
The CEC Credit Record is to be kept in a safe place, and upon reasonable request from an appropriate body, the CEC Credit Record must be produced.
The self-responsibility approach is cost-effective and in harmony with the expectations of a professional person.