Scheme Requirements and Glossary

This page sets out the requirements of the Geological Society's CPD scheme. It also explains the categories and activity types, and other terms used in connection with the scheme.

Requirements of the scheme

If you are in employment, you should record a minimum of 180 points over 3 years. At least 60 points should be recorded in each year. In years 2 and 3, this can include up to 30 points carried over from the previous year. At least 15 points should be recorded annually under Professional Practice, along with some points under at least two other activity types. You should record your CPD activity via the online reporting facility.

Once you reach the 60 point threshold in years 1 and 2, note that any additional points you record will automatically be carried over to the next year, up to a maximum of 30 points. It is not usually allowed to carry over points between three-year reporting periods, although the Fellowship and Validation Committee may make an exception at their discretion.

If you are not in employment, you should record a minimum of 120 points over 3 years. At least 40 points should be recorded in each year. In years 2 and 3, this can include up to 20 points carried over from the previous year. No activity type is mandatory, but you should record points under at least two activity types each year. Currently, the online reporting facility does not cater for the reduced requirements for those not in employment. You should contact the Fellowship Services Manager, who will advise you on how to report your CPD activity.

Discretionary arrangements can be made for those who, for example, begin a year in full employment (and expect to meet the corresponding threshold), but unexpectedly find themselves unemployed for a significant part of the year.

Weighting of CPD categories and activity types

Glossary of CPD activity types

Professional Practice:

is defined as self-development to meet or exceed the requirements of the role of a professional geologist. This will include developing general managerial or business skills as well as geological skills or knowledge. This does not include day to day work. To count as Professional Practice the work activity must extend beyond carrying out routine tasks or utilising existing skills or knowledge. CPD recorded under this activity type should indicate the nature of the skills or knowledge developed rather than just giving a job title or name of a project. Example of the types of work-based development that will count as Professional Practice include:

• improving knowledge (geological knowledge, knowledge of legislation or regulations, researching best practice in human resource management or health and safety etc.)
• professional or business development,eg developing financial, report writing or project management skills
• interpersonal development, eg developing communication or negotiation skills
• developing technical skills (geological techniques or methods, IT, data analysis, modelling skills etc.)
  

Formal Learning (Tested):

applies where the aims and objectives of the training are well established, the Fellow actively participates, and their performance or ability is tested upon completion. A third party provides the training (e.g. an employer through on-the-job training, or a dedicated training provider).

A higher rate of points is awarded for courses where work is tested. Participation is validated by course certification/authentication (by an employer, for example).

Formal Learning (Untested):

is where the aims and objectives of the training are well established, but the performance or ability of the Fellow is not formally tested. A third party facilitates or directs the training (e.g. an employer through on-the-job training, or a dedicated training provider).

Informal learning/training: (also known as experience based, or experiential learning).

The aims and objectives may not necessarily be established or are not specific to the training needs of the Fellow. Informal learning provides improved breadth or depth of geological knowledge or an improved understanding of a subject relevant to employment. Participation is largely passive (e.g. attendance at a lecture or conference etc.)

Self-directed Study:

An activity that provides increased breadth or depth of geological knowledge; or an improved understanding of a subject relevant to the Fellow's employment (eg. reading to keep abreast of published information).

Non-work activities include:

• Participating in the functioning or management of professional organisations
• Organising conferences or similar events 
• Undertaking coaching and mentoring to support professional development 
• Communicating science to the non-geoscientific public (eg via press interview)
  

Contributing to knowledge.

This primarily refers to publishing and related activity. It could include:

• Making presentations, publishing papers/books/articles, and seeing papers through the press whether as a writer, editor or referee
• Writing minutes, reports etc for professional bodies

Other terms

Chartered Geologist (CGeol):

is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London whom the Society has validated as possessing the appropriate level of skill, experience and personal qualities as set out in Section 4 of Regulation R/FP/2, 'Criteria & procedure for validation as a Chartered Geologist'.

European Geologist (Eur Geol):

is the title available to all Chartered Geologists to demonstrate their status as a recognised professional within Europe, as awarded by the European Federation of Geologists.