Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

INTRODUCTION

If you are practising Reiki publicly, adhering to national occupational standards and best practice is essential to conform with self regulation. This includes maintaining evidence of your ongoing professional development to demonstrate your commitment to staying informed about changes and advancements in Reiki practice, as well as any relevant legal updates. This process is known as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). For a copy of this guide click here.

WHAT IS CPD?

CPD is an ongoing commitment to enhance your skills, knowledge, and professional competence. It helps ensure that Reiki practitioners provide the best possible care for clients while upholding the legality, safety, integrity and reputation of Reiki practice within the wider healthcare community.

Note: CPD requirements do not apply to those practising on friends and family only. However we recommend joining one of our Member Organisation to stay current with the Reiki community.

CPD MYTHS

1. CPD does not mean spending large sums of money on courses.
2. CPD is not new; you are likely already engaging in it. For example, attending share groups, reading newsletters, or participating in events.
3. CPD does not include core Reiki training, such as Reiki 1 and 2.

CPD REQUIREMENTS

– The Reiki Council advises a minimum of 15 hours of CPD per year.

(Practitioners must dedicate 10 hours to activities directly related to Reiki, while the remaining 5 hours can focus on broader learning to support overall professional growth.)

Reflective practice refers to the process of observing and recording your learning experiences and applying that knowledge in practice. CNHC regards reflective practice as a vital component of your CPD. This process includes:

• Identifying your learning needs and planning how to address them
• Reflecting on what you have learned
• Determining how to incorporate this learning into your professional work
• Reviewing your progress and identifying new areas for learning.

EXAMPLES OF CP ACTIVITIES
(This does not include your initial training)

Educational/Formal Professional Activity

• Attending conferences, trade shows, seminars, AGMs, or local events
• Participating in courses or workshops (assessed and non-assessed)
• Developing or delivering new Reiki courses or workshops
• Completing distance learning programs (excluding initial Reiki training)
• Gaining additional qualifications relevant to Reiki practice
• Planning or running a course
• Conducting or contributing to research, including the publication of papers
• Writing and submitting articles or papers
• Participating in branch meetings or Reiki share groups
• Acting as an assessor or examiner
• Contributing to conferences, trade shows, seminars, AGMs, or local events
• Participating in professional association activities
• Mentoring other practitioners
• Organizing conferences, trade shows, seminars, AGMs, local events, or courses
• Presenting at conferences or events
• Representing professional bodies on committees, boards, or executive groups
• Teaching or lecturing in Reiki or related topics

Self-Directed Learning

• Developing and implementing a business or marketing plan
• Staying updated on changes in legislation affecting Reiki practitioners
• Engaging in practitioner exchanges
• Publishing books, case histories, case series, or reports for professional associations
• Reading professional journals or articles
• Engaging in reflective practice
• Reviewing books or articles
• Updating knowledge via digital media, including webinars and podcasts

Work-Based Learning

• Participating in day-to-day research related to client issues
• Reviewing cases with colleagues, either in person or remotely
• Gaining and learning from professional experiences
• Receiving supervision or mentoring
• Engaging in work shadowing opportunities
• Maintaining or developing specialist skills
• Completing in-service training programs
• Participating in learning activities tied to work progression
• Representing your organization or profession on committees
• Undertaking project work or management responsibilities
• Auditing clients or practice operations
• Coaching or being coached by colleagues
• Joining and engaging with specialist interest groups
• Peer review of professional work
• Participating in secondments
• Supervising, mentoring, or buddying other professionals

Additional Activities

• Participating in formal education or training programs to improve clinical skills
• Completing health and safety training relevant to Reiki practice
• Attending training sessions focused on ethics, professional boundaries, or confidentiality
• Undertaking business, marketing, or personal development courses to enhance professional empathy and practice
• Attending first aid training for certification purposes
• Participating in research projects or studies related to Reiki or holistic health
• Attending conferences or meetings dedicated to clinical practices or holistic disciplines.

BENEFITS OF CPD 

FOR THE PRACTITIONER:

– Enhances knowledge, confidence, and enthusiasm

– Supports ongoing professional development and competence

FOR REIKI AS A PROFESSION:

– Builds public respect and trust

– Demonstrates commitment to maintaining high standards and voluntary self-regulation (VSR)

FOR THE PUBLIC:

– Reassures clients that practitioners maintain and develop their skills

– Provides confidence in the quality of care provided

MEETING CPD REQUIREMENTS:

It is your responsibility to document and track your CPD activities. While forms and records do not need to be submitted regularly, evidence of CPD may be required by a regulatory body, employer, or professional association during audits.

EXAMPLE FOR KEEPING RECORDS

The CPD log template from the document is structured to record and reflect on professional development activities. Here’s a generalized version:

CPD Log Template

Name:
Registration Number:
Discipline(s):

Total Time Spent on Discipline-Specific Activities (D): ___
Total Time Spent on General Activities (G): ___
Total Time Spent on CPD: ___

This format allows practitioners to track learning, apply reflective practice, and demonstrate CPD compliance.