What is CPE?

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is defined as a well-structured program of further education for graduates in professional occupations.

The MAA CPE Policy is designed to ensure all members regularly update their clinical skills, business skills and professional knowledge.

To download a copy of the list of suggested activities that qualify for CPE points and the "CPE record sheet" (click here).

More about CPE

GENERAL MEMBERS

CPE is an important element of maintaining a General membership

  1. Membership of the Association (Fees Paid on Time)
  2. Current Professional Indemnity Insurance
  3. Current First Aid certificate
  4. Massage or related modality qualification either achieved in Australia of Overseas
  5. A commitment of 20 CPE points per membership year

ACCREDITED MEMBERS

CPE is an important element of maintaining status as a provider with Australian health insurance funds.  These funds require that providers must be up to date with the following in order to be recognised as a provider of health benefits in the discipline of massage therapy:

  1. Membership of a recognised Association (Fees Paid on Time)
  2. Current professional indemnity insurance
  3. Current Level 2 First Aid certificate
  4. Massage therapy qualifications at either the HLT Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice , HLT Diploma of Remedial Massage, 21920VIC Advanced Diploma of Remedial Massage (Myothrapy) or 22248VIC Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy or Bachelor degree level gained from an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
  5. A commitment to CPE as listed per level under ‘What are my CPE requirements?’ found on page 2 

PRINCIPLES UNDERPINING THE CPE POLICY

The CPE Policy is founded on the following principles:

  • Easily accessible to all members, regardless of geographic location
  • Members to be given broad latitude in the selection and design of their individual learning programs
  • Applicable to not only massage therapy disciplines, but also to relevant practices involving direct client/patient care.
  • Encourages all aspects of clinical practice as well as activities associated in managing a small business eg bookkeeping, advertising and marketing, research, law and ethics.
  • Seminars, workshops and conferences that qualify for CPE points must be of a high standard and encompass both broad based topics as well as discipline-specific topics
  • Effectively managed by MAA administration and the committee
  • Financially viable so that costs are not prohibitive, especially to those in remote areas
  • Relevant to the learning needs of practitioners, taking into account different learning styles and needs
  • Collaborative process between professional complementary medicine associations, teaching institutions and government agencies to offer members the widest possible choice in CPE activities
  • Welcomes feedback from MAA members for the future development and implementation of the program.

 

WHAT ARE MY CPE REQUIREMENTS?

All levels of membership are to achieve a minimum of 20 CPE points of education over each year of membership i.e. commencing and ending on the membership joining/expiry date

One hour of activity generally equates with one CPE point. For example, an all day seminar/workshop involves attendance as well as study of the reading material normally allocated expected completion time by the person delivering.  

If a member exceeds their allocated CPE points in a year, a maximum of 10 CPE points can be carried over into the next year.

CPE 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, they are not required to complete the CPE allocated to their level of membership. CPE is only applicable to practicing members.
Non-Practicing Members are to advise the office in writing so their files can be updated.

 

CPE RECORD KEEPING

The onus of record keeping is the responsibility of each member.  Members are issued with a CPE Record form together with their renewal notice, and this must be completed and returned with the renewal form and membership fees for the upcoming year.

Annual renewals cannot be finalised until CPE requirements have been met for the previous year and membership certificates will not be issued until this has been satisfied. 

The requirement of proof is an essential factor in the CPE process, and the evidence produced must be in English and be reasonably self-evident that the activity was undertaken.

PUBLICISING CPE ACTIVITIES

Suggested CPE activities are advertised on the MAA website Courses & Events Tab.

From time to time, special event and free activities are notified to members via bulk email promotion and invitation.