About this CPD Resource
Comprehensive overview of CPD requirements, formats and best practice across all major UK construction professional bodies — an essential reference for all construction professionals.
Continuing Professional Development is a requirement of membership for virtually every professional body in the UK construction sector. This Designing Buildings wiki resource provides a clear comparative overview of CPD requirements across RIBA, CIOB, RICS, ICE, IOSH, CIBSE and other major bodies.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand CPD requirements for major construction professional bodies
- Identify formal and informal CPD activities
- Plan a structured annual CPD programme
- Record and reflect on CPD effectively
Who Is This Suitable For?
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Why This CPD Matters
Effective project management is fundamental to delivering construction projects on time, within budget and to the required quality standard. The UK construction industry has a well-documented history of project overruns — major infrastructure projects frequently exceed their budgets and programmes — and improving project management capability across the industry is a priority for clients, contractors and professional bodies alike. The Association for Project Management (APM), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and other professional bodies have developed comprehensive frameworks and competency requirements that reflect the breadth and depth of knowledge required for effective construction project management.
This CPD from Designing Buildings contributes to the project management knowledge that construction professionals need to manage projects effectively, satisfy their professional body CPD requirements and develop their careers. Project management CPD is relevant across the construction industry — not just for those with dedicated project management roles but for all professionals who contribute to project delivery.
Key Topics and Industry Context
Construction project management encompasses the full lifecycle of a project from inception and brief development through planning, procurement, construction, handover and in-use management. Core project management disciplines include scope management, programme planning and control, cost management and change control, risk management, quality management, stakeholder engagement and communications management. Contract management — understanding and applying the terms of construction contracts including NEC4, JCT and other standard forms — is a critical skill for project managers and contract administrators.
This resource from Designing Buildings provides structured learning in an aspect of project management practice that is directly applicable to construction projects. Whether you are managing a straightforward single-stage project or a complex multi-contract programme, developing project management knowledge through structured CPD is the most efficient route to improved performance and professional recognition.
How This Fits Your CPD Requirements
APM requires all members to complete 35 hours of CPD per year. CIOB requires 25 hours of CPD per year (increasing from 2026) and project management is central to its competency framework. RICS recognises project management as a core pathway and requires members to maintain competency across project management disciplines. ICE recognises Delivery Excellence — which encompasses project management — as a recommended CPD theme. All major construction professional bodies recognise structured project management CPD from recognised providers as valid formal CPD.