The CPD Framework recognises a wide range of activities as valid for CPD and categorises these into three ‘Levels’ of CPD activities.  The three levels of activity – Level One, Level Two, and Level Three - are intended to reflect a ‘hierarchy’ of CPD activities that are based on the ability of the activity to effect and demonstrate change in practitioner behaviour and patient outcomes.  It is possible for activities that a practitioner undertakes in Level One to lead to a Level Two activity, and then to a Level Three activity.

The three Levels of activities are described below.

Level One – Skills & Knowledge
Level One activities are considered to be those activities that provide the participant with information to improve their practice.  The level of demand on the participant is considered to be relatively low.

Generally, these learning activities focus on increasing knowledge and skills and include the more traditional, passive activities such as lectures, conferences and journal reading.

Level Two – Change Facilitating
Level Two activities are those that impose a higher demand on the participant.  Level Two activities are likely to facilitate improvements.  Generally, it is expected that involvement in these activities will ensure that the participant can demonstrate the maintenance of best practice standards and/or that they have implemented a particular activity or facilitated changes in practice and health outcomes. 

Level Two activities include things such as preparation for and taking part in a practice review or clinical audit, critical incident monitoring, or trying a new approach or technique.

Level Three – Change Evaluated
Level Three activities are those that have the highest demand on the participant.  Level Three activities involve the evaluation of changes to practice. Generally, these will involve change and evaluation activities where the practitioner evaluates the impact of an activity or intervention, perhaps resulting from involvement in a Level Two activity, makes adjustment in order to address the problem or issue, and measures the effect. 

Level Three activities include things such as trying out a new approach/technique and evaluating the outcomes; peer reviews and audits – implementation of recommendations and evaluation of the improvements made; and completion of a quality cycle where an action plan has been developed, implemented and evaluated.

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