This blog is about Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for Pest Controllers in Ireland (Eire)
I don’t have a licence (PMU number), do I need CPD?
Answer: No.
Pest Control CPD, which is also called CPE (Continuous Professional Education), is only mandatory after you have obtained your pest control licence from the DAFM (Department of Agriculture). So if you do not use rodenticide commercially or in a commercial environment, you are not required to join a CPD scheme.
If you carry out rodent control commercially after 01/01/2018 and do not have a PMU number you must register with the Department of Agriculture ASAP to ensure you operate legally. Please check full details on this link: New Licensing of Irish Pest Controllers
I have a “Temporary PMU” number, do I need CPD?
Answer: No.
If you have already registered with the DAFM – PRCD and received a Temporary PMU number you don’t need CPD. At this point, you only need to complete your formal training ASAP as the temporary licence (PMU) is only valid for up to 9 months.
Once you have completed your formal training and received your qualification certificate from Lantra (Lantra Level 3 Award in Pest Management Services – Trained Professional User), you must apply again to the DAFM as a “Pest Management User” in order to receive a full PMU number. You will then qualify as a “Trained Professional User“.
I have a Full PMU number, do I need CPD?
Answer: Yes.
As part of the Terms and Conditions of your licence, and in order to keep your PMU registration (under review every year by the DAFM), you must be a member of a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) scheme:
“2) I will participate in the required Continuous Professional Education (CPE) to maintain valid registration. In the event of failing to maintain CPE, I accept that the register of Pest Management – Trained Professional Users may remove my name from it.“
Nevertheless, you don’t need to join a CPD scheme on the year you received your Lantra qualification, but only the year after that.
There are currently 3 Pest Control CPD schemes accepted in Ireland by the DAFM:
- Basis PROMPT CPD scheme
- BPCA CPD scheme
- IASIS CPE scheme.
We will review the largest scheme available and how to get points: Basis PROMPT
The Basis PROMPT CPD Scheme
What does CPD mean?
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. It’s a record of what you experience, learn and then apply.
Continuing professional development is important because it ensures you continue to be competent in your profession. It is an ongoing process and continues throughout a professional’s career.
What is the Basis PROMPT CPD scheme?
- Basis PROMPT is the oldest and most established pest control CPE scheme available in the UK and Ireland, with over 4000 members.
- Since it was set up in 1978, BASIS is independent and has become the foremost authority in training, certification, auditing and standard-setting across a range of industries in the UK. It currently provides the majority of CRRU Wildlife Aware accreditation.
- Basis PROMPT gets support from all pest control regulatory and Trade Associations in the UK including the HSE, BPCA, NPTA, NPTA Ireland, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
Who can join Basis PROMPT?
Basis PROMPT membership is only open to qualified pest control operators:
- Up to 2017, accepted qualifications where BPCA Diploma and RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Award/Certificate in Pest Control/Management.
- Since 2018 the PMU number registration is also acceptable for joining the scheme.
What are the costs of joining Basis PROMPT?
Basis is a registered charity (No. 1077006). The joining costs aim to cover printing of your Certificate, your ID card, and the administration of the CPD points you earned.
- There is an initial registration cost of £10 + VAT per applicant
- The annual renewal fee is £35 + VAT.
- Members of the BPCA and NPTA Ireland get a discounted fee of £32 + VAT
- Discounts are also available for companies employing a number of Pest Controllers and for Local Authorities.
- Applicants who undertake training for the RSPH Level 2 in Pest Control examination will qualify automatically for entry onto the register free of charge in the year that they pass their examination and will not need to pay a membership fee for the rest of that year.
- You can join BASIS Prompt by completing this form online. If you have any difficulties, you can also complete this form and email it with a photograph to: prompt@basis-reg.co.uk
How does the PROMPT CPD points system work?
- Members of BASIS Prompt must obtain a minimum of 20 CPD points annually starting 1 January.
- 20 CPD points should take between 10 and 20 hours of qualifying activities, depending on the content and level of participation.
- You cannot carry forward these points from one registration year to another.
- You must achieve the annual points requirement from a wide range of subject matters, and in particular: pest biology, personal development, application practice, environmental awareness, pesticide technology, changes in legislation, health & Safety.
Practical examples of earning CPD points with PROMPT:
Formal Training
The one-day CRRU Wildlife Aware course carries 10 CPD Points. The RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management carries 30 CPD points.
Training Days:
NPTA Ireland training day once a year (“NPTA On-The-Road” in Portlaoise) earns 6 to 8 CPD points to each participant staying for the full day (9:00 am – 15:45).
Similarly, Killgerm forums also in Portlaoise earn 4 to 6 CPD points.
Reading/Studying
The pest magazines are to the industry what scientific papers are to scholars. Scientists and industry experts communicate all new developments in technology, pest resistance, legislation, practice in the magazines continuously. To be ahead of the game it is essential for pest controllers to read about new developments.
Since reading pest magazines is time spent in education, you can earn up to 2 CPD points for each magazine, e.g. subscribing to NPTA Today’s Technician magazine, PPC Live, PEST magazine and others.
All Publications:
- Bat News Publication (2 points)
- BPCA Professional Pest Controller BPCA (2 points)
- British Deer Society Deer Stalking Manual Society (2 points)
- CRRU – UK Code of Best Practise (2 points)
- International Pest Control Publication (2 points)
- Pest Control News Magazine (Killgerm Chemicals)
- PEST Magazine (Pest Publications) (2 points)
- The British Falconers Club Publication (1 point)
- The Falconers & Raptor Conservation Magazine Publication (1 point)
- NPTA Newsletter (2 points)
- Agrovista Select magazine (2 points)
Please note members can only obtain a maximum of 12 PROMPT points from publications per year
In addition, in each issue of Pest Magazine (www.pestmagazine.co.uk) there are tests which, if answered correctly, can generate another 2 CPD points each.
In each issue of PPC magazine at least one article will be available as an on-line CPD quiz, each gaining at least 2 CPD points (www.ppconline.org)
Practical training sessions
In-house-training can earn you some CPD points . To see if something qualifies, just contact the PROMPT team (prompt@basis-reg.co.uk).
Online Training
The BPCA offers a number of training videos and materials free-of-charge to its members. You can register online for a (free) “Affiliate Membership” (visit: https://bpca.org.uk/membership/affiliate-scheme)
Exhibitions
Such as PestEx, PPC Live, and NPTA PestTech – 2 to 4 CPD points.
Trade Association Membership
Trade associations provide you with newsletters, magazines, technical meetings, etc. BASIS Prompt will allocate 2 CPD points for being member of BPCA, NPTA, NPTA Ireland.
How to join Basis PROMPT as a Trainer (event organiser)?
If you already have a personal or Company account with Basis PROMPT and would like to offer CPD training, you can apply to Basis PROMPT to become an “event organiser”. This will allow you to submit your training programme online and get credits for it.
Please contact linda@basis-reg.co.uk to be set up as an online event organiser. Once you are set up you can log in directly by Clicking Here.
Basis PROMPT Links
General Basis PROMPT CPD scheme information: Click Here.
Requirements to join and maintain Membership of the BASIS PROMPT Register: Guidance-Notes.pdf
Questions & Answers (FAQ)
How long does the application process take?
After sending a fully completed application with a photograph, the process should take no longer than five working days after receipt. You can submit the application forms, qualifications and photos by either post or email to: prompt@basis-reg.co.uk
Once registered, can I access my training record on-line?
Yes. You will need your current email address and Professional Register account number (200…….) to login at https://basis-prompt.co.uk/member-login where you can request a copy of your training record. You will receive the record by email within a minute of your request.
How do I register my CPD points and can somebody else do it for me?
Points are usually registered automatically for qualifying events by event organisers, so make sure you always sign the attendance lists or have your PROMPT Membership card scanned. Your points log builds over the year and you can view them at any time so there is no need to keep your own training and CPD log. However, you may want to keep a list so that you can check that all your allocated points.
I haven’t got access to a computer or the Internet. Can I still be a member?
Yes. However, in order to maintain or obtain your CPD record, you will need to ring the PROMPT Register team who will be happy to assist. Most local libraries have Internet services which anyone can
use, or maybe your employer can help with access.
l have just accessed my training record online and not all the points l have earned are there. What do I do?
If some events are missing from your record then print a copy and write on the events which are missing. Return the amended training record to the Professional Register team who will amend your
record to include the missing events or, alternatively, email the Professional Register team with the details: prompt@basis-reg.co.uk
What is the minimum number of hours I’m required to complete?
You are required to obtain a minimum number of CPD points per annum, which may take up to 20 hours of qualifying activities depending on content and level of participation. Many members gain in excess of 20 points each year and are clearly benefiting from this additional CPD. Remember an event does not have to be an expensive training course. It could be an internal team meeting, company regional meeting, supplier day, attendance at an exhibition, an update from your own technical reading and/or research.
I have recorded more points than I need for the year. Can I carry the surplus forward?
Unfortunately, the scheme does not allow to carry forward CPD points. The purpose of CPD is to record current training and learning activities, however, fluctuations in CPD activity from one year to the next will be considered depending on the individual’s record and circumstances.
I’ve not managed to get my points total this year. Will that cancel my membership?
No. The PROMPT team make every effort to determine the reasons for any shortfall and take into consideration any good reasons. Nevertheless, bear in mind that the DAFM gets a copy of your points at the end of December and they may still suspend your PMU.
Can the PROMPT Register help and what does it mean to the customer?
The PROMPT ID card demonstrates that members have the up-to-date knowledge and skills to perform their duties and reassures employers/clients that a PROMPT Register member is suitably qualified with the relevant knowledge to carry out his/her work in a professional and efficient manner.
I’ve lost my ID card. Can I get a replacement?
Yes. Please contact the PROMPT team at BASIS to arrange for a replacement.
My employer won’t pay the PROMPT Subscription. Can I still join personally?
Yes. PROMPT Membership is for individuals and, although many employers pay employees’ registration fees, there is no reason why individuals can’t pay for themselves.
My company holds weekly team briefings. Does this count towards CPD and how is it registered?
Yes. Team briefings qualify for CPD status. The employer needs to register them as CPD events so administrators can assign and process the points normally. The employer will simply need to submit an attendance list following the meeting for the individual’s records to be automatically updated.
How can I get the CPD points I need?
There are many ways to take part in CPD including in-house-training, visiting exhibitions such as PestEx, PPC Live, PestTech, conferences, technical updates, etc. Most manufacturers and distributors have CPD available in a variety of forms, including online and paper tests. To see if something qualifies, just contact the PROMPT team: prompt@basis-reg.co.uk
