Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education

Faculty of Medicine

Accreditation Packages

General Information

Before you start planning an accredited/certified event, please contact CPDME at CPDME.Accreditation@dal.ca. We are happy to help clarify what is required or to answer any questions you may have.

NOTE: For our office to accredit/certify a program, the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine must be significantly involved in the planning of the program. Therefore, at least one physician, faculty member of the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine must be included in the planning committee.

Credit Information

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) have different accreditation/certification categories.

CFPC
  • Certified Activity (including group learning and self-learning)
  • Certified Assessment Activity (including Simulation and Self-Assessment)
  • (Optional) Enhanced Activity (must be included with a Certified Activity or Certified Assessment Activity)
RCPSC
  • Section 1: Group Learning
  • Section 3: Simulation
  • Section 3: Self-Assessment Program

NOTE: The RCPSC does not accredit self-learning programs.

Most programs fall under the Certified Activity and/or Section 1: Group Learning categories, and our standard accreditation/certification package (below) has been developed accordingly. Please contact us if you require further information about the different categories.

Accreditation Application Package

Last updated: July 2026

NOTE: Please download and save the documents to your computer before completing the forms in your word processor.

Required Reading  
Accreditation/Certification Policy Explains our accreditation/certification requirements, with links to additional resources and information.
FAQs Answers to common questions.
National Standard States the standards/requirements that accredited programs must meet to safeguard their integrity from the influence of sponsoring organizations.
CMA Guidelines Guides physicians in determining how to appropriately interact with industry and effectively mitigate bias and undue influence.

 

Tools/Resources  
Sample Speaker Letter Sample/template for communicating program details and requirements to speakers/presenters.
Sample Brochure (NEW!) Sample for the brochure/handbook/program materials.
Sample Evaluation Surveys Samples for the program evaluation survey.
Sample Sponsor Agreement Sample/template for the sponsor written agreement.
3-Step Disclosure Process and Samples Samples and additional information for the 3-step disclosure process.
Sample Attendance Certificate (NEW!) Sample/template and additional information for the attendance certificates.
Dalhousie CPDME logo For use on event brochures, agendas, syllabuses, websites, etc.
CFPC Quick Tips: Writing Learning Objectives Explains the requirements for writing learning objectives with examples.
RCPSC Learning Objectives Verbs List of possible verbs for learning objectives. (Also includes verbs to avoid.)
Keyword Options Possible keyword options (for #46 of the application form). 

 

Required Forms  
Standard Application Form To be completed by the planning committee chair.
Conflict of Interest (COI) form

Part 1 to be completed by the planning committee Chair or designate. Part 2 to be completed by all planning committee members (except administrative staff), speakers/presenters, moderators, facilitators, and authors.
Planning Committee Membership (PCM) form Part 1 to be completed by the planning committee Chair or designate. Part 2 to be completed by all physicians on the planning committee.

 

Assessment and (Optional) Enhanced Activities

Assessment

Assessment programs (i.e., those seeking Certified Assessment and/or Section 3 credits) include assessment strategies that are designed to help physicians assess aspects of their knowledge or practice, so they can further enhance their competence. One of the core elements for these programs is providing detailed feedback to the participants on their performance. Additional details are included in the Accreditation/Certification Policy.

These applications must have all the documentation for a standard application (as above), as well as the Assessment Application Form and its supporting documentation (a checklist is included in the application form).

Optional Enhanced

For CFPC Mainpro+ activities only, program providers may choose to create opportunities for participants to earn additional, optional credits (e.g., needs assessment activities, reflection activities, knowledge tests, etc.) These options may be done for Certified Activities and/or Certified Assessment Activities.

NOTE: The type of credit for the base program must align with the credit type for the enhanced activity. (For example, if the main program is approved for only Certified Activity credits, the enhanced activity cannot be for Certified Assessment credits.)

Additional Forms  
Assessment Application Form

To be completed by the planning committee chair.

Only for programs seeking assessment credits.
Enhanced Activity Application Form

To be completed by the planning committee chair.

Only for programs seeking Optional Enhanced credits.