CPD: Supporting you through the 2025

OT: your guide to CPD

Illustration of man standing next to a book, a pencil, and a computer screen

What CPD means to me

OT asked three optometrists who work at the AOP about what CPD means to them, as well as what their tips for meeting the CPD requirements are with six weeks to go in the current cycle

On the High Street

21 Nov 2024 9 min read

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The GOC on the Reflective exercise

The regulator’s Samara Morgan answers questions that OT has received from registrants about the new, mandatory Reflective exercise element of the CPD cycle

Government and regulation

16 Nov 2024 5 min read 1

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CPD and me

With fewer than seven weeks to go until the end of the current CPD cycle, OT spoke to three practitioners about what CPD means to them

On the High Street

14 Nov 2024 7 min read

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“The moment when everything changed. Or did it?”

OT clinical editor and AOP head of education, Dr Ian Beasley, reflects on the requirements of CPD as we near the end of the cycle

Practitioner stories

11 Oct 2024

The GOC’s Record review explained

The GOC’s chair of CPD approvers, Kathy Morrison, shines a spotlight on the regulator’s record review process

Practitioner stories

04 Oct 2024 5 min read 5 mins

The CPD reflective exercise explained

There are only five months to go until the end of the current GOC CPD cycle. OT’s multimedia clinical editor, Ceri Smith-Jaynes, explains the requirements of the reflective exercise

AOP

01 Aug 2024 5

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OT CPD: frequently asked questions answered

As the countdown to the close of the current CPD cycle continues, OT has curated a list of frequently asked questions regarding its CPD offering to support you through the final stage of the requirements

AOP

20 Aug 2024

A woman wearing a beige cardigan, a blue shirt and an analogue watch types on a silver laptop. The laptop is on a wooden desk beside a cup of tea and a text book.

CPD: the home stretch

OT explores the remaining steps practitioners need to take in the final year of the CPD cycle – including insight on a new reflective exercise

Government and regulation

13 Feb 2024 5 min read

GOC publishes updated CPD exceptions policy

The policy applies to the current CPD cycle ending 31 December 2024 and outlines factors the regulator would consider when deciding on an application of exceptional circumstances

Government and regulation

21 May 2024 1

Number of OT CPD exams completed in 2024*

39,373

* January to September

“The key point is about making their CPD choices more meaningful”

With 6000 registrants still to complete their PDP in year two of the cycle, the GOC’s Philippa Mendonsa explains why the personal development plan is vital to guide learning

Government and regulation

18 Apr 2023 6 min read 5

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A look at the CPD cycle

Read more about the 2022–2024 GOC CPD cycle

AOP

04 Oct 2024

AOP: events, advice and guidance

Events and webinars

View our events, webinars and education programme

Events and education

A guide to obtaining your CPD points

Everything you need to know about getting your CPD points

Events and education

05 Jan 2022

CPD grant claims guidance

Guidance on how to make your CPD claim in all four UK countries

Events and education

27 Sep 2024

What happens if you do not meet your CPD requirements?

All fully-qualified registrants must earn a minimum number of CPD points by the end of the three-year CPD cycle

Events and education

05 Jan 2022

Number of AOP events provided this cycle*

89

* January 2022–July 2024

Optometrist examining patient's eyes with a slit lamp

A guide to the GOC's new CPD exceptions policy

A summary of how the latest CPD exceptions policy has changed, and what help is available

Events and education

17 May 2024

Optometrists gathered together at practice

Setting up a registrant-led peer review group

A guide to organising your own peer review before the end of the GOC CPD cycle

Events and education

06 Jan 2025

Number of CPD points provided through AOP events*

1,201

* January 2022-July 2024 (including 100% Optical)

The start of the new CPD cycle is the perfect time to pause and consider your learning aspirations over the coming months. Are there emerging areas of clinical practice where you need to update your knowledge, or existing skills that need consolidating? Taking time to reflect on this will help you to build learning outcomes and develop your personal development plan within your MyGOC.

Dr Ian Beasley, AOP head of education and OT clinical editor

OT's latest CPD exams

1 pointOnline exclusive

Diagnostic techniques for retinal diseases

This Clinical interpretation exam highlights clinical imaging techniques that can be used to aid diagnosis of retinal abnormalities. Readers are invited to review the images and use additional resources where necessary to answer the accompanying questions

Author/s: Dr Sayantan Biswas BSc MPhil PhD FHEA

CPD ref no: C-115123

Exam type: Clinical interpretation

Practitioner types: O

1 pointOnline exclusive

Anterior eye findings in contact lens wear

This Clinical interpretation exam will enable practitioners to identify anterior eye findings associated with contact lens wear. Readers are invited to review the cases and use additional resources where necessary to answer the accompanying questions

Author/s: Dr Debarun Dutta MCOptom PhD FAAO FHEA FIACLE FBCLA

CPD ref no: C-115588

Exam type: Clinical interpretation

Practitioner types: O, CLO

2 pointsOnline exclusive

Drop the drops

In this CPD video, filmed at 100% Optical 2026, Sharmina Khan will explore reducing dependence on eye drops for dry eye patients. You will learn about current and emerging technologies in dry eye disease management: pharmaceutical therapies, thermal pulsation, intense pulsed light (IPL), low-level red light therapy, and in-clinic lid hygiene innovations. In the second part of this video, we will describe dropless cataract surgery (DCS). After watching the video, you will be directed to a closed discussion group on LinkedIn, to interact with your peers

Author/s: Sharmina Khan

CPD ref no: C-116378

Exam type: Video

Interactive:

Practitioner types: O, DO, SO, CLO

1 point

The habit effect: using behavioural science to improve compliance

This CPD exam outlines how incorporating behavioural techniques as part of the clinical routine can improve patient compliance with contact lenses

Author/s: Sheena Tanna-Shah BSc (Hons)

CPD ref no: C-115529

Exam type: Article (view)

Practitioner types: CLO, DO, O

Book an AOP CPD event today

2 points14 July 2026

AOP roadshow: Optometry on the agenda – Scotland (Edinburgh)

Time: 6.30pm - 8.15pm

Practitioner type: O, DO

Domains: Leadership and accountability, Professionalism

Join waiting list

2 points15 July 2026

AOP roadshow: Optometry on the agenda – Wales (Cardiff)

Time: 6.30pm - 8.15pm

Practitioner type: O, DO

Domains: Leadership and accountability, Professionalism

Book now

Up to 6 points19 July 2026

Myopia Day

Time: 9.00am - 4.45pm

Practitioner type:

Domains:

View events

2 points22 July 2026

AOP roadshow: Putting eye health on the agenda – England (Manchester)

Time: 6.30pm - 8.15pm

Practitioner type: O, DO

Domains: Leadership and accountability, Professionalism

Join waiting list

Other education of interest

Education library

Access to archived CPD articles, webinar recordings and video skills guides covering 31 topic areas

Education library

27 Apr 2020

Skills guides

OT's portfolio of over 45 video skills guides are designed to provide optometry students, newly-qualified optometrists and those returning to work following a career break with a refresher on key clinical skills

Education library

12 Aug 2024

Webinar recordings

We are increasingly using webinars to deliver valuable content to members. Log in to be able to view our recordings and to access the presentations. CPD is not available for watching recordings of webinars.

Events and education

Quick links

CPD: Supporting you through the 2025–2027 cycle

OT: your guide to CPD

Number of OT CPD exams completed in 2024*

39,373

AOP: events, advice and guidance

Number of AOP events provided this cycle*

89

Number of CPD points provided through AOP events*

1,201

Other education of interest

Do you know someone who might be interested in our CPD education and support?