MAIN IMAGE: Courtney McKenna of PropAcademy
Danie Keet
The EAAB announced that the CPD 2021 material will be uploaded in the coming weeks thereby making the CPD programme available from 1 October 2021 to all eligible estate agents.
Experience has taught the EAAB that there are some estate agents who experience difficulties in navigating the CPD portal which compromises their ability to complete the CPD programme. In this regard, the EAAB will, in due course, issue a schedule to remotely assist the affected estate agents using a meeting virtual platform.
“We wish to further reiterate the position we have clarified before that, all estate agents who did not take advantage of the CPD fee ministerial waiver in 2020 and made payment towards the CPD programme, will not be required to pay 2021 CPD fees.
“Conversely, all estate agents who took advantage of the ministerial CPD fee waiver for 2020, will be required to pay CPD fees for 2021.
“We urge those estate agents who have not yet done the catch-up to finalise their 2020 CPD programme before 1 October 2021,” the EAAB said in a statement.
The EAAB thanked the stakeholders for their patience and understanding.
Courtney McKenna of PropAcademy said continual professional development (CPD) is just that – information that keeps stakeholders up to speed with changes to legislation, regulations and general knowledge within the property industry.
“CPD is commonplace in most professions and has been so for years. Property practitioners are dealing with the public daily, and more than that, advising them on property-based investments. This cannot be done without knowing current changes to various property related Acts. CPD also keeps you ahead of the pack with changes in the financial world that relate directly to the property industry.
“There are two aspects to CPD. One is verifiable CPD points, where you are required to achieve 15 points in 5 different property categories. Verifiable points are only attainable directly from the EAAB through the property practitioners EAAB portal. These verifiable points are in the form of online learning material, videos and then a quiz.
“Non-verifiable CPD points can be attained through PropAcademy or any other training that relates to property matters. Annually you are required to achieve five non-verifiable CPD points in 3 different categories. This information is freely obtainable on the PropAcademy website,” she explained.
When do I qualify for CPD?
Full status and principal status property practitioners qualify for CPD, which kicks in the year after the EAAB advised them that they were successful in their PDE4 exam. For example, if you write your exam in November 2021 and your PDE4 results are released in January 2022, you will need to comply with CPD in 2023.
“PropAcademy has several online CPD online short courses designed by experts, enabling the property practitioner to achieve the required non verifiable points in record time. Our courses are approximately an hour-long, include training material, online quizzes and a certificate for each point.
“Once both non-verifiable and verifiable points are completed, they must be uploaded to the CPD MyPortal, on or before a determined cut-off date. Should a property practitioner not produce these points as required, the EAAB may impose penalties, including a fine and rescinding of the practitioner’s Fidelity Fund Certificate. Without a current valid FFC, you may not trade,” McKenna said.
