Every registered dental practitioner in Australia needs to complete 60 hours of CPD over each three-year cycle. But here is the thing most people forget: completing the hours is only half the job. You also need to prove it.
The Dental Board of Australia can audit your CPD compliance at any time. If you cannot provide adequate records when they ask, you could face conditions on your registration, requirements to complete additional CPD, or in serious cases, suspension.
The good news is that tracking CPD properly is not complicated. You just need a system and the discipline to use it.
What information to record
According to AHPRA, your CPD records should capture enough detail that an auditor can verify you actually completed the activity. That means recording:
For each activity: the name of the course or activity, who provided it, a brief description of what you learned, the date you completed it, how many hours it took (excluding breaks), whether it was scientific or non-scientific content, and the format (in-person, online, conference, etc.).
Supporting evidence: certificates of completion, attendance records, or any documentation the provider gives you. Keep these organised—you will thank yourself later.
Three ways to track your CPD
Spreadsheet. The simplest approach. Create columns for each required field and update it after every activity. It works, but it requires discipline and you will need to manually calculate your totals. Most people start here and eventually want something more automated.
Our CPD tracker. The TheCPDHub tracker is free and does the calculations for you. It automatically splits your hours into scientific versus non-scientific categories, shows your progress toward the 60-hour target, and lets you export a PDF summary that is ready for an audit.
Provider platforms. Some organisations like ADA branches track your attendance at their courses automatically. The limitation is you will still need to consolidate records from multiple providers into one place.
Exporting your records
When you need to export your CPD records—whether for an audit or just your own peace of mind—make sure your export includes a summary page showing total hours by category, a detailed list of all activities with dates, references to your certificates, and the date range clearly stated.
A good habit: export your records at the end of each year, even if you are not being audited. It creates a backup and gives you a chance to review your progress while there is still time to catch up if needed.
Storing certificates
Most CPD providers issue certificates electronically these days. Create a simple folder structure on your computer or cloud storage:
CPD Records → 2024 → ScientificCPD Records → 2024 → Non-Scientific
Name your files consistently so you can find them later: 2024-03-15_ADA_Infection-Control-Update.pdf
If you lose a certificate, contact the provider directly. Most can reissue from their records, which is another reason why recording the provider name for each activity matters.
How long to keep records
The Dental Board requires you to keep CPD records for at least five years. This covers the current cycle plus enough time for any retrospective audits. After five years, you can safely archive or delete older records.
Common questions
Can I track CPD from overseas conferences?
Yes. International CPD activities count if they are relevant to your scope of practice. Record them the same way and keep proof of attendance.
Does peer learning count as CPD?
Structured peer learning activities like study clubs can count toward your hours. Document the learning objectives and outcomes to show it was a genuine educational activity.
What if I get audited and my records are incomplete?
Be honest with the Board and provide what you can. They may give you time to gather additional evidence or complete extra CPD. The consequences are usually worse if you try to fabricate records.