The APGO Online CPD reporting module was launched on January 29, 2010 for member use. The feedback received by the Association about the online CPD module from members has been very positive.

“...absolutely love the set up. It is quite user friendly and really does do everything for you.” “Love the new system.” “System works well.”

The new Online CPD Module provides practising and limited members with the ability to:

It has become apparent, however, as members use the CPD module, that there are some items that should be emphasized. The following is provided to assist members with any questions that might arise (Please note: Most of the following information may be found by clicking on the “blue i” information buttons or the “Help” buttons in the Online CPD Module.)

How do I find the Online CPD Module? Please go to the Members Only area of the APGO website and login. Your username is LastNameMemberNumber (member number must be four digits, so please place a zero in front of your member number if it is only three digits and place no spaces between names or member number). If you do not remember your password, please use the “Forgot Password” button on the login page and your password will be emailed to the email address on record for you. Once you have logged-in, simply select Continuing Professional Development from the menu on the left-hand side of the screen. Top

Do I record CPD hours if I became a member in 2009? Practising and limited members do not record CPD hours for the year in which they became a member. Therefore, if you became a member in 2009 you do not need to record CPD hours for that reporting year. Top

What is the CPD Reporting Year? The CPD Reporting Year is January 1 to December 31. APGO members then have until March 31 of the year following the year being reported on to enter all the data they wish to enter for the preceding year. During this inaugural year for online CPD reporting, due to the delay in the launch of the Online CPD Module, the deadline to file CPD hours is April 30, 2010. Top

What is the deadline by which CPD Hours must be filed? The date by which all CPD hours a member wishes to record for the preceding year must be filed is midnight March 31 EST of the year following the year being reported on. During this inaugural year for online CPD reporting and due to the delay in the launch of the Online CPD Module, the deadline to file CPD hours is April 30, 2010 EST. The ability to input hours into the online module for the preceding year will close at that point. Should a member opt to file a paper declaration, the deadline to file the declaration with the Association is the same as the dates indicated above. Top

How do I Enter carry-forward/roll-forward hours from my 2008 declaration? Please have your Roll-Forward hours from you 2008 declaration in front of you when you log-on to the CPD Module. The first time you login to the CPD Module, you will be prompted to enter the 2008 Roll-Forward hours from your 2008 CPD declaration. Please attempt to enter the hours as hours of a “Geoscience” nature or of an “Other” nature if possible. If the nature of the hours is unknown, please enter them as “Geoscience”. Top

Where’s the Submit button? There is no Submit button for those filing CPD hours online. As you add CPD events/hours through the online module they are recorded in the Association CPD database. The only caveat is that all hours for the preceding year must be entered by the deadline to enter CPD hours for the preceding year. The data is available to the Association and no declaration is required. Top

Where did my hours go? The Online CPD Module is designed to calculate CPD hours and roll hours forward in accordance with the APGO CPD program requirements and to optimize CPD hour use to the member’s best advantage. When certain hour limits have been reached, according to the APGO CPD program, excess hours will be dropped automatically (a message indicating such will be displayed at the top of the input screen when this occurs). Top

It is suggested that even if you notice that hours are being dropped, due to program maximums, you continue to enter all CPD hours you have available. Sometimes category maximums have been reached, but hours in other categories may still be used, perhaps for future years. As well, should you need to go back and make any changes to your data, it may well change the way the hours are utilized for the year or for roll-forward. It is best to have all data entered and available so that the Online CPD Module may optimize the hours to your best advantage. Top

How far forward can CPD hours roll? CPD hours can roll forward a maximum of two (2) years. Top

What are the CPD program requirements? Thirty (30) CPD hours are required annually (although this may in part or in full be derived from roll-forward hours from prior years reporting). A minimum of twenty (20) CPD hours of a “geoscience” nature is required annually. A maximum of ten (10) CPD hours of an “other” nature may be used annually (e.g. volunteer work of a non-geoscience nature; education of a non-geoscience nature; etc.). Although ten (10) CPD hours of an “other” nature may be utilized, it is not required. The full thirty (30) CPD hours may be of a “geoscience” nature. Top

Where is the CPD Program Guideline? The CPD Program Guideline is currently under development. It will be posted as soon as it is available. Top

What about CPD Hours memberships in learned societies/associations? Please enter such memberships in the Participation category as either “geoscience” or “other” nature. One (1) CPD hour may be claimed for each membership noted. Top

How do I view/download/print my CPD information? Click on the View/Print CPD Hours by Year in the menu located on the left-hand side of the screen. Select the year you wish to view and click on the “View CPD Year” button. You may then view the data, or click on the “Download Printable PDF” button, which will display the report in a new window. The PDF file may be saved or printed. Close the “pdf” window to return to the CPD module. Top

What happens if I don’t file CPD hours with the Association? The filing of CPD hours in accordance with the APGO CPD program is a condition of membership with the Association. A failure to file CPD hours will result in a suspension after the opportunity has been provided to remedy the situation. If you have encountered extenuating circumstances in the CPD year and were unable to complete the CPD requirement, an Exemption may be requested. If you have filed CPD hours in another jurisdiction recognized by the APGO, or wish to request that a jurisdiction not currently recognized by the Association be reviewed and potentially recognized, you may notify the Association that you have filed in another jurisdiction. Top

What do I do if I filed CPD hours in another jurisdiction? To indicate that you have filed hours in another jurisdiction, simply click on the Filed in Another Jurisdiction menu item on the left-hand side of the screen when you are in the Online CPD Module and then fill in the requested information and hit the “Submit” button. A list of Canadian jurisdiction CPD programs recognized by the APGO is provided from a drop-down list. Simply click on the jurisdiction in which you filed. If you filed in a jurisdiction not currently recognized by the Association, you may enter the jurisdiction in which you filed and request that the Association review it for potential recognition. When you click on the “Submit” button, the information you have provided along with your name and email contact information will be submitted to the Association. Please note that any information you may have entered into the APGO CPD module will be retained in order to maintain as complete a CPD record as possible for your files. Of course, since the hours will be filed in another jurisdiction, the APGO will not be able to utilize any potential roll-forward hours for data not entered in the Online CPD module. Top

Where is the Professional Practice category? The Professional Practice category is no longer part of the APGO CPD program. Should you need to file Professional Practice CPD hours in another jurisdiction, a Professional Practice Hours Form spreadsheet file has been provided for member use and is located under the Downloads menu on the left-hand side of the screen when you are in the CPD module. Top

What if I encountered extenuating circumstances during the CPD year and was not able to complete the CPD requirements? If you have encountered extenuating circumstances during the CPD year you may request an exemption using the Request Exemption menu item on the left-hand side of the screen when you are in the Online CPD Module. Simply click on the Request Exemption menu item and then complete the requested information. When you hit the “Send Exemption Request” button, your request, along with your name and email address, will be submitted to the Association for review. The Association will contact you after reviewing the request. Top

I only work part-time. Do I need to file CPD hours or can I file a reduced number of hours? All practising and limited members, except those members who became registered in the CPD year being reported on, are required to have 30 CPD hours per year (either through CPD hours earned in that year, from roll-forward hours from previous years, or a combination of both). Top

What if I am selected for a CPD audit? Should your name be selected as part of the regular APGO CPD audit process, you will be contacted if the Association needs any further information. Top