Speech and Language Therapist CPD: HCPC Renewal, Audit Figures and RCSLT Support

Speech and language therapists registered with the HCPC must keep a continuous record of their CPD, and the HCPC does not set a minimum number of hours. Your next renewal window opens on 1 July 2027 and closes on 30 September 2027, according to the HCPC, and at each renewal the HCPC randomly audits 2.5 per cent of speech and language therapists (SLTs). This guide concentrates on what is specific to your profession: the dates, the latest published audit figures, and the support the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) provides. It applies to SLTs registered with the HCPC in the UK.

Speech and language therapist renewal dates

The HCPC says each profession renews every two years at a set time, staggered through the year. For SLTs that means the summer and early autumn. The RCSLT told members that all SLTs had to renew with the HCPC in 2025, and a subset were also asked to submit CPD for audit.

The HCPC encourages you to renew as soon as possible within your window. With the next window about nine months away at the time of writing (October 2026), this is a useful moment to check your CPD record is up to date.

What the HCPC audit figures show for SLTs

The HCPC publishes audit outcomes by profession. The latest figures for speech and language therapists that we could find on its CPD audit data pages are for the 2023 audit, covering the 2021 to 2023 renewal cycle. In that audit, 341 SLTs were asked to submit a CPD profile. The page was last updated on 2 September 2024. We could not find published SLT results for the 2025 renewal, so check the HCPC's data pages for anything newer.

Most selected SLTs had their profile accepted, and one was removed. The "deferred" row is the second largest: these are registrants who asked to postpone because of unavoidable circumstances, and who the HCPC will audit automatically at their next renewal. If you are deferred, the obligation does not disappear, so keep your record going. The "did not renew" and "voluntary deregistration" rows are recorded separately 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 of your own work supported by evidence. The HCPC describes CPD as any activity from which you learn and develop, not only formal courses.

If you are selected, you have approximately three months to submit a profile, and it must be in by your renewal deadline. You still renew as normal. A profile contains:

• a practice history summary of up to 500 words
• a statement of up to 1,500 words explaining how you meet the standards, mainly standards 3 and 4
• a dated list of CPD activities since your last renewal, with gaps of three or more consecutive months explained
• supporting evidence, normally one piece per activity described

Only registrants who have been registered for two years or more are eligible, so newly qualified SLTs are not selected at their first renewal. Our guide to preparing for an HCPC CPD audit and what to submit goes through the profile in more detail.

RCSLT support for CPD and audit

The RCSLT is the professional body for SLTs, and several of its tools are designed to produce the evidence the HCPC asks for. Some are for members only, so check your access on the RCSLT website.

CPD diary

The RCSLT says its CPD diary can be used to record and reflect on CPD activity and provide evidence for the HCPC audit. It is the simplest way to keep a running record if you already use the RCSLT member area.

Professional Development Framework

The RCSLT describes its Professional Development Framework as a UK-wide tool for identifying learning needs at every career stage and level of experience. It is useful at the start of a cycle, when you decide what to learn, because it gives you a reason to link activities to your practice.

Webinars, modules and funding

The RCSLT has run webinars on the HCPC audit and renewals, including a session on 27 March 2025 that included an SLT who had been audited and advice for managers supporting a selected colleague. It also lists online learning modules, workshops, mentoring schemes and supervision frameworks, and a reflective clinical rationale module that supports reflective practice. Its CPD pages also mention CPD grants and funding, with several resources restricted to members.

HCPC CPD Week

The HCPC itself held its second annual CPD Week from 2 to 6 March 2026, with five free webinars including one on CPD profiles and audits. It is worth watching for future dates if you want free, regulator-led material.

Making your record work for you

A CPD record is most useful when it shows a link between learning and patient or client benefit. A few habits help.

• Record promptly. A short note made the same week beats a long reconstruction before a deadline.
• Vary the activities. Peer supervision, case discussion, reading, an observation of a colleague's session, a course and a conference all count if they help you learn and develop.
• Write about impact. The statement focuses on quality of practice and benefit to service users, so note what changed.
• Keep evidence. Certificates, attendance emails, feedback and reflective notes can all support an entry.
• Cover the gaps. If you were on leave for three months or more, say so in your statement.

Managers who oversee SLT teams may want a single view of who has recent CPD evidence. Our training matrix template can be adapted for that, and the CPD hub collects related guidance.

Frequently asked questions

How many CPD hours do speech and language therapists need?

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

When do SLTs renew with the HCPC?

The HCPC's current list shows the next window for speech and language therapists as 1 July 2027 to 30 September 2027. Renewal is every two years.

How likely is a CPD audit?

The HCPC randomly selects 2.5 per cent of each profession at each renewal. In the 2023 audit, 341 SLTs were asked to submit a profile.

Can I ask to defer my audit?

Yes, if circumstances such as serious illness, bereavement or maternity leave prevent you from taking part. You will then be audited automatically at your next renewal, and you must still renew.

Does the RCSLT audit my CPD?

No. The HCPC is the regulator and runs the audit. The RCSLT offers tools and guidance to help you prepare.

Final thoughts

SLTs have time before the 2027 window, and in the latest published audit most selected therapists had their profiles accepted. Keep your diary current, tie each entry to the people you work with, and check the HCPC and RCSLT sites for the latest rules before you renew.

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