Dietitian CPD and the HCPC: Renewal Dates, Audit Figures and BDA Support

Dietitians registered with the HCPC must keep a continuous record of their CPD, and the HCPC does not set a minimum number of hours. Dietitians renew every two years: the most recent window ran from 1 April to 30 June 2026, and the next opens on 1 April 2028 and closes on 30 June 2028, according to the HCPC. At each renewal the HCPC randomly audits 2.5 per cent of dietitians. This guide focuses on what is specific to dietetics: the renewal calendar, the published audit figures, and the support the British Dietetic Association (BDA) offers. It applies to dietitians registered with the HCPC in the UK.

Dietitian renewal dates

The HCPC says each profession renews on a two-year cycle at a set time that stays the same, with professions staggered through the year. Dietitians' window runs April to June. Because the 2026 window has only just closed, most dietitians are now at the start of a new cycle, which is the easiest point to build good habits.

The BDA, writing on 1 April 2026, reminded dietitians that renewing on time is their own professional responsibility and that those who do not renew are removed from the Register and cannot practise as a dietitian. It also said that dietitians selected for audit are notified by email at the start of the window, with an alert in their online account.

What the HCPC audit figures show for dietitians

The HCPC publishes audit outcomes by profession. The latest dietitian figures we could find are for the 2022 audit, covering the 2020 to 2022 renewal cycle. In that audit, 232 dietitians were asked to submit a CPD profile. The HCPC gives the figures as of 21 November 2023, and the page was last updated in January 2024. We could not find published results for later audits, so check the HCPC data pages for anything newer.

No dietitians in this sample were removed for failing to meet the CPD standards. The largest group after "accepted" is "deferred", at 46 people. Deferral is something a registrant requests when unavoidable circumstances prevent them taking part, and the HCPC says those registrants are audited automatically at their next renewal. So a deferral is a delay, and you should keep recording CPD throughout. The "did not renew" and "voluntary deregistration" rows are separate from "removed", which is the outcome for not meeting the CPD standards.

What the HCPC expects, in short

The HCPC has five standards for CPD. You must keep a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record; show a mixture of learning activities relevant to your current or future practice; seek to ensure your CPD contributes to the quality of your practice and benefits service users; and, if asked, present a written profile that is your own work and backed by evidence. The HCPC describes CPD as any activity from which you learn and develop, not just formal courses.

If you are chosen, you have approximately three months to submit, and the profile must reach the HCPC by your renewal deadline. You must still renew as normal. The profile has four parts:

• a practice history summary of up to 500 words
• a statement of up to 1,500 words, mainly addressing standards 3 and 4
• a dated list of CPD activities since your last renewal, with any gap of three or more consecutive months explained
• supporting evidence, normally one item per activity you describe

Only dietitians registered for two years or more can be selected. For a longer walk-through, see our guide to preparing for an HCPC CPD audit and what to submit.

British Dietetic Association support

The BDA is the professional body for dietitians, and its CPD pages list a range of resources. According to the BDA, these include:

• BDA classroom courses and eLearning, accessed through the BDA Learning Zone.
• The BDA CPD Approved Hub, which lists external activities the BDA has approved.
• Reflective practice resources, which help with the reflection that the HCPC statement relies on.
• The CPD Together Joint Statement, which sets out shared responsibilities for CPD.
• The Dietetic Career Framework, which covers levels from support worker to consultant and aligns with national frameworks.

The BDA also lists research and active membership of a specialist group or branch as CPD activities. It advises recording CPD in an accurate, continuous and up-to-date record or portfolio, and notes that protected CPD time is generally set locally by employers and is not guaranteed for less structured activities. The BDA pages we read do not say whether every resource requires membership, so check before relying on one.

The BDA says audit selection applies to all dietitians on the Register regardless of location or work status, so keep your record going even if your working pattern changes.

Turning the quiet months into useful CPD

• Map your gaps first. The BDA's career framework can help you decide what to learn at your level.
• Record as you go. A short dated entry with the activity, what you learned and what changed is easier to write the same week.
• Mix formats. Courses, peer review, case discussion, a journal club or a service project can all count if you learn and develop from them.
• Write for service users. Standards 3 and 4 carry most of your statement, so note the benefit to the people you serve.
• Keep evidence in one place. Certificates, feedback and reflective notes are much easier to find at audit time.

Team leads who need to see who has up-to-date records can adapt a training matrix for professional CPD, and the wider CPD hub gathers related guidance.

Frequently asked questions

How many CPD hours do dietitians need?

The HCPC does not set a number of hours or points. You pick activities that suit your development needs and show how they meet the standards.

When do dietitians next renew?

According to the HCPC, the next dietitian window runs from 1 April 2028 to 30 June 2028. The most recent window ran from 1 April to 30 June 2026.

Can a newly qualified dietitian be audited?

Not at their first renewal. Only registrants who have been registered for two years or more are eligible, according to the HCPC.

What if I cannot complete my profile?

You can request deferral if circumstances such as serious illness, bereavement or maternity leave prevent you taking part. You will then be audited at your next renewal. If you simply do not submit, you may be removed from the Register, though you can appeal.

Does the BDA run the audit?

No. The HCPC is the regulator and runs the audit. The BDA provides learning, frameworks and guidance to help you prepare.

Final thoughts

Dietitians have until 2028 to renew, and the 2022 audit data shows no dietitian in the sample removed for failing the CPD standards. That is not a reason to relax your record keeping, but it should be reassuring. Use the BDA's tools, keep your entries regular, and check the HCPC website for the current rules before your next window.

This article is general information only and is not regulatory, legal or compliance advice. Always check the HCPC and the British Dietetic Association for the current requirements that apply to you.