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• FAQ
• How does the QMCS work?
• What are the requirements for gaining QMCS recognition?
• Am I eligible?
• How do I retain QMCS recognition?
• Reasons the Institute established the QMCS
• Benefits of QMCS recognition
• Summary checklist for applicants
  • Flowchart
• QMCS Application Form
• Sample documents
  • Examples of OPD
  • Example of maintenance of knowledge and skills
  • A record of maintenance of knowledge and skills
  • Example of maintenance of practice and experience
  • A record of maintenance practice and experience
  • Sample Referee Letters
  • Example of a Work history or CV
  • Example of a Record of On-going Professional Development (OPD)

Retaining QMCS recognition

After certification, you need to keep your practice, knowledge and skills up-to-date.  The following is intended to guide you in these areas.  You can maintain records in your own format providing it meets the intent of The Institute’s On-going Professional Development (OPD) requirements.

1. Maintain your continuing work experience or practice
   Maintain a current curriculum vitae (CV) (or resume, statement of employment or work history).
   
   And
   
2. Maintain your practice
   For those not in full time supervision or management, technical developments require you to keep your practical application up-to-date after you’ve gained your certified practice (CP) status.  This involves time spent on-the-job in various capacities and is not the same as off-the-job knowledge and skills acquisition.  Maintenance of practice might involve time spent in activities designed to update, further develop or enhance your experience, practice and professional skill for activities.  It could also involve providing advice and support to operational personnel.
   
   And
3. Enhance your knowledge and skills
   Maintain a record of OPD undertaken off-the-job that you undertook to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date, covering the most recent three (3) years.  This generally involves attendance at courses, seminars, training, IQA dinner meetings, etc.  You must complete at least 30 weighted hours of knowledge and skills OPD per year, calculated over a rolling period of three years.  Weighting the actual hours spent allows for the extra effort involved.  For example, attendance at a course that involves an examination or formal assessment is weighted three times that of simply attending and listening.  Similarly time spent in preparation for presentations and writing articles is weighted more than simply attending and listening.
   You should review your OPD annually.  A minimum of ten (10) of these 30 professional development ‘weighted’ hours should be in Institute-based activities.
   
   And
4. Continue to observe the Code of Conduct
5. Members of The Institute who gain accreditation under The Institute’s CP system are committed by the Code, as published on The Institute’s website.
   

For further information see the Flowchart of the process of gaining and maintaining CP status or see a Sample Record of On-going Professional Development.