Developing Excellence is the CIPR’s continuous professional development scheme, and the only life-long learning scheme specifically designed for PR practitioners. The scheme is open to all CIPR Associates, Full Members and Fellows.

What it’s not

It is not a training course... It’s a way for you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and structure how you are going to reach your goals. It’s about looking at how you want to progress as a PR practitioner, and logging what you do to improve your knowledge and skills.

It's not expensive... Taking part needn’t cost you anything. You can learn from colleagues, by reading or doing your own research, and time spent contributing to the PR industry by mentoring, speaking at industry events or participating in CIPR committees all counts towards your CPD.

Take a look at some sample CPD plans and records:

• Sample CPD plan 1 (pdf)
• Sample CPD plan 2 (pdf)

It’s not time consuming... Developing Excellence requires you to spend 30 hours a year on your professional development – that’s just over half an hour per week, or 5 minutes each day. And the CIPR's education department is on hand to offer advice and guidance.

What it does

Developing Excellence supports your career progression, regardless of the sector in which you work or your level of experience. It’s designed to help you achieve your professional goals.

It gives you the credit you deserve. Participation leads to Accredited Practitioner* status and to Fellowship** of the CIPR - further proof of your professionalism.

It sets you apart from the crowd. Investing in your own development, continuously improving your skills and knowledge, and demonstrating your commitment to your profession will give you a competitive edge in the eyes of clients and employers.

*Accredited Practitioner status is awarded on completion of a three year CPD plan.
**Fellowship of the CIPR is awarded on completion of two three-year CPD plans (for those who achieved Full Member status before 1 April 2000) or three three-year CPD plans (for those who achieved Full Member status after 1 April 2000).

"I decided to take part in Developing Excellence, the CIPR's CPD scheme because I thought it would help me focus more clearly on what direction I wanted my career to take and encourage me to develop a long term strategy for achieving my goals. I particularly liked the fact that it's not about doing courses for courses' sake - a range of activities can count towards Developing Excellence and it's your achievement and progress towards your goals which are measured."
Sharon Murphy, National PR Manager, Grant Thornton

What should I do next?

The scheme is open to all Associates, Members and Fellows of the CIPR.

If you are already an Associate, Member or Fellow of the CIPR, log into the member area of the website and take a look at the Developing Excellence centre, where you can download, complete and submit your development plan.

If you’re not a member of the CIPR, you can find out more about applying for membership by choosing one of the options at the top of the page or by emailing membership@cipr.co.uk for a membership pack.

CPD resources
Professional development articles: CPD tips, members' experiences and other career development information on Profile Extra, the CIPR's online PR magazine.

Read a PARN special report on the power of CPD