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To ensure consistent standards and integrity in our CPD scheme, all external events (in-person, online, hybrid, webinars, training sessions) must be accredited before participants can log CPD hours with LIA.

All content must align with the Central Bank’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) for retail financial products.

Application Process for CPD Accreditation: 

1. Before You Apply — Eligibility Checklist

Before you start the application, ensure:

  • The topic is directly relevant to one or more MCC product categories.
  • You have or can provide: event agenda / syllabus, speaker bios, slide deck or learning materials, duration breakdown (presentation + Q&A).
  • For online / e-learning, the event design includes sufficient interactivity, assessment, and attendance tracking (log in/out, Q&A, etc.).

2. Application Process

Submission Timing

  • For live / in-person events apply before the event date.
  • For online events / webinars accreditation must be applied for before going live.

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete the CPD Accreditation Request Form (linked above).
  2. If your event has already been approved by the Institute of Banking (IOB) or the Insurance Institute (III), you do not need to complete the full form. Simply provide the three required details on the Accreditation Form: the approving body, the accreditation number, and the event title.
  3. LIA will review and respond within 10 working days.
  4. If approved, we will issue an LIA accreditation code (format: LIAXXXXX_Year).

3. Rules, Limits & Criteria

  • Minimum recognised block is 0.5 hours (30 mins);
  • Maximum hours per event:
    • For standard sessions: 4 hours
    • For tested online modules: 2 hours
    • For examination modules (if relevant): up to 8 hours (provided the exam is at least 3 ECTS, NFQ Level ≥ 6).
  • Only active learning (presentations, case studies, Q&A, tests) counts. Breaks, registration, travel, social time are excluded.
  • Online / e-learning criteria:
    • Must be well-structured, intuitive, navigable
    • Interactive elements, quizzes, feedback built in
    • Participants cannot skip core content and go straight to test
    • Time to complete content (including test) should roughly match accredited hours
    • Must provide confirmation of completion; logging and attendance tracking required
  • Webinars / virtual events must be delivered ‘live’ so that participants can interact
  • Attendance must be verifiable (login, log-out, live Q&A)
  • For similar events recurring year to year, if content remains substantially the same (≤ 20% changes), you may request reapproval referencing the prior code.
  • Topics not directly relevant to MCC competencies may be refused (e.g. generic systems training, soft-skills, non-financial regulation unless tied to product advice).

4. Late Submission Policy

  • Late requests will incur a fee of €100 per request.
  • The late fee must be paid before the LIA accreditation code is released.
  • Any request submitted on or after 1st December to cover an event that took place before or during the month of December will incur the late fee.
  • Accreditation Requests received on or after the 15th December will not be reviewed until January when normal business resumes after the Christmas holidays. A late fee will still apply if the request relates to the previous CPD year.
  • Requests for future-year events submitted in December will be deferred to January and administered as early as possible in the new year. No late fee applies to these as they are relevant to the new ‘CPD’ year.

5. After Approval: What You Must Do

  • Communicate the accreditation code, CPD hours, and relevant categories to all attendees (start and end of event).
  • Ensure participants sign attendance (or verify via log-in/log-out) to support any audit.
  • Remind attendees they must log the CPD code to their LIA Member record.
  • Keep records (attendee list, slides, agenda, evaluations) for audit purposes.

6. If Your Request Is Refused / Questions

  • We will provide feedback on why an application was declined (e.g. insufficient relevance, lack of interactivity).
  • You may submit a revised application, addressing the feedback.
  • Questions or appeals can be directed to the Member Services team (cpd@lia.ie).

7. Common Pitfalls

To Avoid:

  • Submitting after the event.
  • Providing only a superficial agenda.
  • Failing to include interactive or assessment components in online delivery.
  • Over-claiming hours (not aligning content with credited length)

Has your query been answered?

If you require information not found in this section of our website, we encourage you to first check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for immediate answers. Should you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach us through Live Chat, available from 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us at cpd@lia.ie . 

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