Looking for ways to accrue points? See:
MT workshops, seminars, conferences
Other related workshops, seminars, conferences
National SIGs
Your State Branch
What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development, or CPD, is auspiced by AMTA Inc and is committed to maintaining high standards of professional skill and knowledge within the field of Australian music therapy. The CPD Program encourages all RMTs to continue to develop and extend themselves beyond their initial training.
Is my day-to-day clinical work with clients considered to be a CPD activity?
No. Your day-to-day clinical work with clients (whether paid or voluntary) is not CPD. CPD activities are those that you undertake to develop and extend your skills and knowledge as a music therapist. For example, training and education programs, professional supervision, attendance at conferences etc.
Who needs to complete CPD?
All RMTs, whether working full-time, part-time or not working, are required to complete CPD. Even if you are not working, but wish to maintain your registration with AMTA Inc, you must complete the requirements of CPD.
How often do I need to submit?
All RMTs are required to submit for CPD once every five years, commencing five years after the year of registration. Hence, if you become registered in 2011, you will first be required to submit for CPD in 2016, and then every five years thereafter. If you are an RMT who has already submitted for and successfully completed the requirements of CPD, then you should submit five years after your successful completion of CPD.
Where do I find the CPD Handbook and Logbook?
The CPD Handbook and Logbook are available as PDF documents.
Submission process
When do I need to submit?
RMTs are required to submit for CPD every five years, beginning five years after the date of registration or your first successful submission. In the year that you are required to submit for CPD, you must do so by 1st March . You will receive information from the CPD Committee to let you know when to submit, and what to submit.
What do I need to submit?
You need to submit:
1) The summary page of the Logbook
2) Three complete copies of your Logbook and all substantiating documentation for the activities that you are claiming (for example, certificates of attendance, signatures etc). Please ensure that each of the three copies of your submission are clearly labeled and separately bound. If you wish to save paper, you can submit just those pages of the Logbook that apply to your submission.
3) The submission Checklist
Please note that if your submission is not clearly labelled, legible and each of the 3 copies separately bound/stapled, together with all supporting documentation, it may not be reviewed. The reviewers will be looking at many submissions, and appreciate your support in submitting a clear, logical submission in which they can easily find all the necessary information.
Can I submit online?
Not at the moment although we are looking at ways that we can implement on-line submissions for the future.
What happens in the review process once I’ve submitted?
Your submission will be reviewed by up to three reviewers, and then you will be informed of the outcome of your submission. If you are required to submit additional information, the CPD Committee will contact you to let you know.
When will I know the outcome of my submission?
The Committee aims to have all submissions reviewed prior to re-registration in June/July of each year. RMTs will be notified of the outcome of their submission by letter from the CPD Committee following the review process.
What happens if I don’t submit?
All RMTs are required to complete CPD in order to maintain their registration with AMTA Inc. If you do not submit for CPD, you will be listed as having not completed the requirements of CPD, and you may become deregistered.
Will my submission be reviewed if it arrives after the due date?
No. If your submission does not arrive by the due date, you will be listed as having not completed the requirements of CPD, and you may become deregistered.
What if the activities I have submitted do not meet the requirements of CPD?
If you have submitted an activity that does not meet the requirements of CPD, the CPD Committee will contact you to ask for additional information or request that you complete additional activities in place of the activity that does not meet the requirements of CPD. If you are not sure whether an activity can be included for CPD, please contact the Committee prior to the submission due date to clarify.
Will I get my Logbook and supporting documentation back?
No. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your Logbook and all supporting documentation, in case we need to talk with you about your submission, or it gets lost in the post.
Activities:
What activities do I need to complete?
For those submitting in 2011 onwards, you need to complete 100 points worth of activities from across at least three of the categories listed in the Handbook. All activities must be completed within the five year time-frame. You can not include activities that were completed prior to the five year period, or activities that are not yet completed (such as a degree or graduate diploma which you have not yet completed).
What if I have more than 100 points?
You can submit as many points as you like above the required 100 points. Please note, however, that the reviewers will only review up to the first 100 points of eligible activities.
Can I include activities that I am undertaking but that I have not yet finished – for example, my Masters of Music (research) degree?
No, all activities must be completed before they can be claimed for CPD.
If I want to submit a publication for CPD, do I need to include a full copy of the text?
No, you can submit just the publication details of the book chapter or journal article. Please include the title, author, date of publication and name of journal/book.
I have written several songs with clients: can I include these for CPD?
No, you may not include songs that you have written with clients in therapy. However, you may include songs that you have written for clients.
I have made an electronic recording of some music that I have composed, should I send the CD?
No, please do not send audio-recordings. If you wish to submit a song/composition for CPD, please include just the written score.
What activities can not be included for CPD?
You may not include activities that are not related in any way to your development as a music therapist. CPD is about developing your skills as an RMT.
What if an activity I want to submit is not listed in the CPD Handbook?
You may include activities that relate to the Competency Documents (also available on the website) If you wish to include an activity that is not included in the CPD Handbook, please include a substantial written rationale explaining how the activity develops your skills as a music therapist, and how it contributes to your practice in music therapy.
What if I want to submit a non-music-therapy activity?
If you wish to include a non-music-therapy activity, please include a substantial written rationale explaining how the activity develops your skills as a music therapist, and how it contributes to your practice in music therapy.
I went to the AMTA conference, but I have lost my conference certificates: can I still claim the CPD points?
No conference certificates, no points!!
Some of the activities, such as supervision, have been capped in the past: do the caps still apply?
From 1st March 2010, there will be no caps on any activities, although RMTs will be required to submit 100 points of eligible CPD activities from across at least three categories listed in the Handbook.
What changes are being made to the CPD Program following the CPD Review in 2009 and when do these come into effect?
There will be some changes to activities, with some new activities included and a small number of activities removed from CPD. There will also be some changes made to point allocations for some activities. All changes will come into effect from 1st March 2010. Until then, activities and points are as per the CPD Handbook, 1st Edition January 2005 (updated August 2005).
For further information:
Contact the CPD Committee
Chair: Anne Thompson
Email: amta.cpd@gmail.com
Remember, if you have any questions or are not sure if an activity can be included for CPD, please contact the CPD Committee prior to the closing date for submissions.