ICE members maintain high CPD compliance as audit sample increases

The ICE has reported a maintained compliance rate of 96% for members selected to submit their records as part of the annual CPD audit.

The ICE’s CPD audit demonstrates civil engineers' commitment to continuing professional development and their understanding of the benefits gained from the Plan-Act-Assess-Review CPD cycle.

Of those requested to submit their CPD records, 53 failed to comply and risk removal from the membership roll and the Engineering Council register if they don't submit their records by February 2026.

The institution finds the compliance rate encouraging as it moves to increase its sample size to 5% of its professionally qualified membership in 2026. This is in line with a new requirement from the Engineering Council.

Members should be aware that the probability of being requested to submit their CPD records will be higher in 2026 with the increase in sample size.

Key findings

The key findings from this year’s audit:

• The ICE’s CPD templates continue to be the most popular format for members to record their CPD and effectively follow the CPD cycle.
• Many members are consistently recording and evaluating their CPD to a high standard. The ICE will continue to promote best practice within the wider membership.
• Of those audited, 88% of members were observed to have undertaken a range of CPD activities (a minimum of three types). This demonstrates that they are seeking different development opportunities that go beyond traditional learning settings.
• Only 51% of members displayed an awareness of unplanned CPD opportunities throughout the year. The ICE encourages its members to look beyond their development action plan and undertake CPD they may not have deemed a learning need when they created their plan.

Final compliance rate for 2024

Last year, 62 members were reported to the ICE Trustee Board for non-compliance.

Seventeen members were removed from the membership roll after failing to meet the extended deadline in February 2025.

Since then, three of these members have submitted their records and will be reinstated.

Planning for 2026

As 2025 closes, members are encouraged to:

• ensure that their 2025 personal development record (PDR) is up to date;
• reflect on their learning;
• evaluate how well they’ve achieved their 2025 development action plan (DAP) objectives;
• consider their learning needs for 2026; and
• create a DAP to meet them.

Templates can be found within the ICE CPD guidance.

For further advice and questions, email [email protected].