Training and membership

BTPA CPD Requirements

Full BTPA members are required to complete and record continuing professional development (CPD) over a repeating 4-year cycle.

At a glance

34 hours minimum CPD over each 4-year cycle.

14 hours minimum BTPA-accepted Bowen Therapy training.

20 hours minimum other relevant CPD activity.

This section applies to Full Members and to practitioners wishing to become Full Members.

Full Members renewing membership

There is a repeating 4-year CPD cycle during which Full Members need to accrue:

Bowen Therapy CPD

14 hours minimum

BTPA-accepted Bowen Therapy training from a verified school or tutor.

Other CPD

20 hours minimum

Relevant training or professional activity, including any Bowen technique revision.

By the end of the 4-year cycle, you should have evidence of at least 34 hours of CPD, including at least 14 hours of BTPA-accepted Bowen Therapy training.

Evidence needs to be submitted by the end of the 4th year of each CPD cycle. Members can upload course certificates and activity evidence, such as personal notes summarising a topic researched, using the members’ area CPD log.

Members are not normally required to send CPD evidence to the office until the end of a 4-year cycle, unless specifically asked to do so. However, logging CPD activities as they are completed makes the end-of-cycle renewal process much easier.

The Membership Secretary may request CPD evidence for any CPD cycle at any time. If sufficient CPD has not been completed by the end of a 4-year CPD cycle, renewal of Full membership may be affected.

How the 4-year cycle repeats

The 4-year CPD cycle repeats in the same way for each subsequent cycle.

Additional Bowen CPD hours can be carried over to the next 4-year cycle if the current cycle requirement has already been met and the additional hours were completed within the 6-month period before the start of the next CPD cycle.

Practitioners joining as Full Members

Newly qualified therapists

This applies if you qualified within the last 12 months. Initially, on joining, you do not need to have completed additional CPD training. For the first 3 years after gaining a Bowen Therapy qualification, you must complete at least 14 hours of BTPA-accepted hands-on Bowen Therapy training per year.

Your first 4-year CPD cycle commences 3 years after your qualification date.

Qualified 1–2 years ago

We need to see evidence of 14 hours of BTPA-accepted hands-on Bowen CPD training undertaken in the last 12 months in order to join BTPA. For the first 2 years of BTPA membership, you will need to complete 14 hours of BTPA-accepted hands-on Bowen Therapy training per year. The 4-year CPD cycle commences 2 years after your qualification date.

Qualified 2–3 years ago

We need to see evidence of 14 hours of BTPA-accepted hands-on Bowen Therapy training undertaken in the last 12 months in order to join BTPA. For the first year of BTPA membership, you will need to complete 14 hours of BTPA-accepted hands-on Bowen Therapy training. Your 4-year CPD cycle commences 1 year after your qualification date.

Qualified over 3 years ago

We need to see evidence of 14 hours of BTPA-accepted Bowen Therapy training undertaken in the last 12 months in order to join BTPA. Your 4-year CPD cycle commences on the date you join the BTPA.

Full Members leaving and rejoining

This rule applies to:

  • Full Members who leave BTPA or downgrade to Associate Member and later rejoin.
  • Full Members who are removed from membership for non-renewal and later renew.

If rejoining BTPA within a 4-year CPD cycle, the intervening period between leaving and rejoining will be incorporated into the CPD cycle. Evidence of relevant CPD will be required as per the 4-year CPD cycle.

If rejoining BTPA after a 4-year CPD cycle has completed, the previous 4 years will count as the 4-year CPD cycle and evidence of relevant CPD will be required as per the 4-year CPD cycle.

What constitutes BTPA accepted hands-on CPD training?

BTPA accepted hands-on Bowen training is listed on the BTPA website. These are workshops and courses where the training school or teacher has submitted their course(s) to us for verification, or evidence has been accepted that they meet the BTPA standards and Bowen Therapy National Occupational Standards.

What constitutes Other CPD?

Other CPD comprises training or an activity that relates to running your practice or enhancing your professional knowledge, but is not necessarily Bowen-specific.

Other CPD activity Maximum claimable
over 4-year cycle
Seminars, workshops and lectures

Attendance at seminars, workshops and lectures that enhance your knowledge or skills relating to your therapy practice. This might include certified training such as Counselling, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, First Aid, Health & Safety, Ergonomics, Anatomy & Physiology, or another Soft Tissue or Manual Therapy. Upload attendance or qualification certificates when logging CPD online.

20 hours
Bowen-specific conferences or meetings

Attendance at Bowen-specific conferences or meetings dedicated to learning more about Bowen. Write a summary of what you learned during the meeting or conference.

6 hours
Personal study

Personal study, such as a formal programme taught in person or online. You will need to explain what you learned and how you will put it into practice.

6 hours
Hands-on Practical Revision

Hands-on Practical Revision with other Bowen therapists. Keep a record of who was present and what practical revision was involved.

3 hours
Reading articles

Reading articles in journals, books or online that provide learning you can put into practice. Summarise your learning in notes or an electronic document that can be uploaded.

6 hours
Research

Research that enhances your understanding of Bowen, including participation in Bowen organised studies. Upload an abstract or the full research paper when logging CPD online.

6 hours
Writing articles

Writing published articles about Bowen, or providing articles for In Touch or the BTPA newsletter. Upload the article if not already published in In Touch.

6 hours
Client satisfaction surveys or evaluations

Client satisfaction surveys or evaluations, including collecting testimonials. Reflect on the feedback and write how this reflection has modified your practice. Do not include administration time.

3 hours
Supervision

Giving or receiving supervision that supports learning and development, either individually or in a group such as a RIG. You may be asked to explain how supervision benefited your clinical practice.

3 hours
Mentoring

Giving or receiving mentoring that supports professional development, such as a study buddy, sharing Bowen sessions as a learning experience, meeting other Bowen therapists to share best practice, or RIG meetings. You may be asked to explain how mentoring benefited your clinical practice.

3 hours
Work shadowing

Work shadowing alongside another therapist to enhance knowledge and skills. Keep notes about what you learned and how this enhanced your practice.

3 hours
Professional association activity

Involvement in professional association activity, including committee work, attendance at BTPA general meetings, non-Bowen conferences, giving Bowen taster sessions or demonstrations, and manning a stand at events or exhibitions. Document what you did and how it is relevant to your professional practice.

6 hours

If you have any queries about CPD, please contact the BTPA office.