FAQs - Understand how PD able can work for you

Yes, PD able now supports Single Sign-On (SSO) integration. This means users can log in using their existing workplace credentials, making access faster, easier, and more secure. SSO is ideal for organisations that want streamlined onboarding and centralised access control.

To learn more about how SSO works with PD able, including the setup process and supported identity providers, visit our SSO launch announcement.

Absolutely! At PD able, we understand the hesitation around adopting new systems, especially when it involves professional development for your team. That’s why we offer a completely free Test Mode option.

With Test Mode, you can:

• Build a custom PD system using our simple, step-by-step wizard.
• Invite up to 5 users to explore the platform, try out features, and provide feedback.
• Test it at no cost and with no obligations.

This gives you and your team a risk-free way to evaluate if PD able is the right tool for your organisation. It’s designed to remove the barriers to adoption and give you confidence in your choice.

Even when you decide to move forward with a paid subscription, you can ease into it. Many organisations start small—scaling up gradually over time. For instance, some begin with just 50 users, adding more as they see the value, eventually reaching their full complement of 250–300 users within the first year.

This gradual approach means you can build confidence in the system, gain buy-in from key decision-makers like the CEO, and avoid making a costly mistake.

Give it a try today with Test Mode, and see how PD able can transform your professional development planning without any pressure.

This version reassures potential customers by highlighting the flexibility, the ease of adoption, and the low-risk nature of starting with PD able.

Yes... absolutely! You can build it online right away.

Create it using our online wizard tool. Set areas of competency, points systems, cycles and more, craft it to suit your needs.

Watch our YouTube video below to see a system being built in minutes!



For more information about building your own system learn more here.

It is 100% free to set up a proprietary system that is tuned to suit a nominated profession. Using our wizard tool makes this possible without the need of a software developer, saving you a significant amount of money.

As a PD system owner you will be charged for each member that uses your PD system. Check out our affordable pricing bands.

Yes! You can invite up to 5 people to try it out using Test Mode. This allows you to try a few things and get some feedback before making it 'Live' on our PD Directory.

Absolutely! We’ve put together a demo video that walks you through using the wizard tool to create your own PD system. Check it out here: Demo Video

Yes, you have the ability to add your logo, brand colour and a large banner image.

No setup fees, ever. Just sign up and start building.

Let’s says for example your profession has the following framework setup:

• lPractice Management - Earn a minimum of 10 points a year
• lProject Management - Earn a minimum of 5 points a year
• lDesign principals - Earn a minimum of 5 points a year

If your profession introduces a new mandatory CPD requirement — such as a 1-hour annual ethics training — you can update your CPD framework directly within PD able’s CPD management system.

How it works:

Create a new CPD category (e.g. “Ethics”). Do this via the logged in view --> Top Right Menu --> PD System Setup. By default you will land on the ‘Structure’ tab.

Under the Subjects section click on the settings icon --> Add
Specify the Full name I.e. Ethics, give it a short name for the KPI charts, a teaser and a description and click save.

Use the Sort Order button to change the sort order of the subject (if needed)

Set the minimum required hours (e.g. 1 hour per year).

Do this via the logged in view --> Top Right Menu --> PD System Setup. By default you will land on the ‘Structure’ tab. Select the ‘Metrics’ tab

Under the ‘Requirements by Subject’ section click on the settings Icon

Click on the new subject you have created I.e. Ethics and specify Minimum points required per cycle (if applicable) and by year. Click Save.

Regulatory changes happen. PD able allows you to modify CPD requirements mid-cycle without disrupting historical records.

Example:

Accountants/Financial advisers practicing in New Zealand and Australia must earn 20 points per year against their ‘General CPD’ category. The new requirement is that 1 of those hours must specialise in the category of Ethics.

1. Setup the new category for Ethics.

Do this via the logged in view --> Top Right Menu --> PD System Setup. By default you will land on the ‘Structure’ tab.
Under the Subjects section click on the settings icon --> Add
Specify the Full name I.e. Ethics, give it a short name for the KPI charts, a teaser and a description and click save.

Use the Sort Order button to change the sort order of the subject (if needed)

2. Set the minimum required hours

Do this via the logged in view --> Top Right Menu --> PD System Setup. By default you will land on the ‘Structure’ tab. Select the ‘Metrics’ tab

Under the ‘Requirements by Subject’ section click on the settings Icon

Change General CPD requirements from 20 per year to 19 per year.

Change Ethics requirement to 1 per year

(So both categories still require 20 per year total).

Items 1 and 2 above will cover future cycles

3. Update the existing cycle or annual period currently in play

Do this via the logged in view --> Top Right Menu --> PD System Setup. By default you will land on the ‘Structure’ tab.In the Subjects section, make sure the new subject for ethics is ticked and click save. On the metrics tab, use the ‘Requirements by subject’ to specify the points target as you did in item 2 above.

You can also use the ‘Total Requirements’ section to change overall annual points or cycle point requirements if those have changed too.

Yes. PDable supports:

• lRolling 12-month CPD cycles
• lFixed calendar year reporting
• lMulti-year compliance periods (e.g. 3-year cycles)
• lPoints-based CPD systems

This is handled via PD SYstem Setup --> Reporting Cycle Structure

You can have a 3 year cycle where they must earn 60 points within the 3 years, you can also set annual requirements I.e. 20 points a year to ensure users stay on track within the 3 years.

This flexibility allows professional bodies to align their CPD tracking system with regulatory or legislative requirements.

PD able includes automated compliance reminders to reduce administrative workload.

Professionals receive:

• Monthly reports on how they are tracking with;
• Category-specific shortfalls

Notifications are triggered based on real-time compliance status, ensuring members are informed before they become non-compliant. Professionals can choose to opt out from receiving these emails from the Email subscription preferences.

PD able provides structured CPD audit tools designed for regulatory boards and assessment agencies.

You can:

Select a random sample of members

• Filter by risk criteria
• Require evidence uploads
• Assign reviewers
• Track audit outcomes

All activity is logged, providing a defensible audit trail for accreditation or legal review purposes.

Yes. 

Evidence is easily catered for by uploading a certificate, screenshot or image taken with a phone when recording the activity.

For example:

• Ethics training must include a certificate
• Structured learning must include attendance confirmation
• Self-directed learning may require reflective notes

Members cannot complete compliance without submitting required documentation. This strengthens professional standards and regulatory integrity. The evidence upload feature is not mandatory at the moment but this allows members to at least record their learning and they can come back and upload files once they have them.

PD able provides exportable compliance reporting dashboards for governance and board oversight.

Reports can include:

• Percentage of compliant members
• Non-compliant member lists
• Category completion breakdown
• Compliance trends over time
• Regional or employer segmentation

Reports can be exported for board meetings, regulatory filings, or annual reporting.

Use the Reports section and select from a range of reports to view or download as CSV. You’ll be able to manipulate the data for reporting purposes as needed in your spreadsheet.

Yes. Many professional bodies move to PD able after outgrowing spreadsheet-based CPD tracking.

We support:

• Bulk member imports - you can provide a list of emails seperated by comma directly into the system
• Historical CPD data migration - professionals can record historical activities
• Framework setup assistance - customise the framework to suit your rules I.e. professionals need to earn 20 CPD points annually to remain compliant or certified.
• Member onboarding workflows - Simplify the connection to your system and your staffs onboarding flow into PD able.

Moving from spreadsheets to a dedicated CPD management platform improves accuracy, reduces administrative workload, and strengthens audit readiness.

For regulatory and professional bodies, data integrity is critical.

PDable includes:

• Role-based access controls
• Secure data storage
• Activity audit logging
• Locked records after submission (optional)
• Controlled editing permissions

This ensures CPD records remain defensible, tamper-resistant, and suitable for regulatory review or accreditation assessment.

Currently we have 2 plans available for employers.

FREE PLAN
This plan gives you a basic set of management tools to that you can run a lightweight PD Program so that you can track what your staff are doing. it's a great place to start.

PRO PLAN
This plan allows you to manage in-house activities, add resources and recommended activities. It also allows you to pay for your employees annual subscription fees, removing any boundaries to signing up and using your PD Program.

See our employers beneficial pricing scheme.

No, it is 100% free for an employee to connect with an employer.

However, to access the full PD Program features the Professional will require a paid subscription. This is true for the Professional wanting to access organisation resources, and for the organisation to see and manage the Professional.

No, but you do need to configure Staff Roles correctly. Make sure that they have been assigned to administration roles only.

Employees who are flagged as a 'Staff PD Program' user will be included on your invoice for the annual subscription fees.

 

The easiest way is to invite your staff by using the 'Invite People' button on your PD Program page. This will send out an email invitation for them to join up. 

It is quick, no obligation and free to create an account for your organisation.

Simply complete the registration form for an employer and you will be prompted to enter the necessary details to get started.

If you already have an account, then select your profile icon at top right and select "+ Add Profile". Step through the online wizard provided.

Yes. Employers can view CPD progress for all staff linked to their organisation.

The employer dashboard provides visibility into:

• CPD hours completed by each employee
• Progress toward annual or cycle requirements
• Upcoming compliance deadlines
• Activity participation history

This helps organisations ensure their team maintains required professional standards and avoids compliance risks.

Yes. Employers can generate reports that provide a clear overview of CPD activity and progress across their workforce.

Reports can include:

• Staff progress toward CPD goals or targets
• CPD activities completed by employees
• Evidence uploaded for learning and training
• Team-wide engagement with professional development

These insights help organisations monitor development, identify gaps, and support their internal or regulatory CPD requirements.

Reports can be exported as CSV files for internal reporting, HR reviews, or audits.

Yes. Employers can monitor staff progress and identify employees who may be at risk of missing CPD requirements.

PD able provides visibility into:

• Staff with insufficient CPD hours
• Category-specific shortfalls

This allows managers or HR teams to intervene early and ensure employees remain compliant.

Yes. Employers can manage staff access within their organisation account.

You can:

• Add new employees to your organisation
• Remove staff who have left
• Guide staff to connect with the correct CPD framework
• Maintain an up-to-date workforce record

This ensures your reporting remains accurate as staff join or leave your organisation.

When an employee leaves your organisation, their CPD records remain attached to their personal professional profile.

This means:

• The employee retains their learning history
• Their CPD records can move with them to a new employer
• Your organisation’s reporting automatically updates

PD able is designed to support portable professional development records.

Yes. By using the Recommended Activities toolset, Employers can encourage staff to complete specific CPD activities relevant to their role or profession.

For example:

• Ethics training
• Safety certification
• Industry workshops
• Mandatory compliance training

This helps organisations align employee development with professional standards and organisational goals.

Yes. Employers can view the CPD activities completed by their staff, including:

• Activity title
• Provider
• Date completed
• CPD points or hours earned
• Evidence uploaded (if applicable)

This provides transparency into professional learning across your organisation

PD able is designed to complement, not replace, internal LMS platforms.

Many organisations use PD able alongside their LMS to:

• Track professional CPD requirements
• Maintain compliance with regulatory frameworks
• Provide portable CPD records for staff

Your internal LMS can still deliver training while PD able manages professional compliance tracking.

Read our latest LMS article for more details.

Yes. Many organisations employ professionals across different regulated fields.

PD able allows employees to connect to their specific professional CPD system, while employers can still view staff progress across the organisation.

This makes it easier to manage teams that include:

• Architects
• Engineers
• Teachers
• Financial advisers
• Healthcare professionals

PD able helps organisations reduce professional compliance risk by providing:

• Real-time visibility of staff CPD progress
• Early identification of non-compliance risks
• Structured reporting for audits
• Verified learning records

This ensures employers can demonstrate that staff are maintaining required professional standards

Yes... Absolutely! Anyone can sign up right now and start recording their CPD activities into their own online diary. They'll get all the tools they need to build up a history of their learning, they'll also have the ability to download it as a PDF transcript.

As a free user you also get a planning tool that comes with a goal setting function. We give all of this for free, just sign up to begin.

Lots! Probably more than you’d expect. Such as…

Structured Activities:

• Module / Tutorial
• Workshop
• Seminar / Webinar
• Short Course
• Lecture Series
• Self-Directed Activities:
• PD Plan / Review
• General Research & Learn
• Regular Quick Reading
• Read a Book
• Watch a Movie
• Listen to a Podcast
• Other

Peer Interactions:

• Peer Review / Self Assess
• Attend a Speaker Event
• Networking Event
• Peer / Support Group
• Benchmarking
• Team Building
• Conference / Convention

Commercial Activities:

• Roadshow
• Trade Show
• Product Training

Authoritative Activities:

• Publish an Article
• Write a Book
• Write a Blog
• Produce a Movie
• Be a Mentor
• Give a Presentation
• Formal Research
• Teach

Academic Qualification:

• Certification
• Diploma
• Degree
• Masters
• Doctorate

 

Easy, just follow these simple steps.

1. Click on the 'My Records' tab in the menu (this will take you to the My Records page).

2. Click the '+Add Activity' button.

3. Select the activity type and fill in the form.

4. Save... and you're done!

 

Reflections are an important component to any effective professional development programme. Use them to identify what is working for you, what isn't and what you think could be improved. Outline any skills that you've picked up and make special mention of how these have affected your professional practice.

Yes. Go to the 'My Records' tab to the left on the dashboard. To the right, use the dropdown to show the year you want to export, then click on the Transcript button. A PDF is created for you to download. You must download a separate Transcript for each year you have activities recorded.

Note: Even our free version offers this function, so sign up now to create your own downloadable records.

Yes you can! When you write up the details of the course in 'My Records', you can upload the certificate using the form provided. If you don't have it in PDF format (you have the physical certificate) just use your smartphone camera and upload a photo of it.

 

As long as you've been recording your continuing education activity in 'My Records' and keeping it up to date. Simply click the 'Download Your Transcript' button at the top of the page. This will generate a PDF for you to share with your supervisor, administrator, governing board, or any other stakeholder.

Absolutely. PD able is an excellent tool for New Zealand registered teachers who need to track Professional Learning and Development (PLD) and generate reports for annual reviews or appraisals.

With over 30 ready-to-use forms, you can easily record all your PLD activities throughout the year. At any time, you can generate a professional-looking PDF report to email to your supervisor or print for your annual review.

PD able offers two free default systems to get started:

• PD Able Basic
• PD Able Advanced

For Teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand

If you're a primary or secondary teacher looking to align your activities with the New Zealand Teaching Council Standards—such as:

• Te Tiriti a Waitangi partnership
• Professional learning
• Professional relationships
• Learning-focused culture
• Design for learning
• Teaching

We recommend using our purpose-built PD system tailored for NZ educators.

Explore the Teaching NZ  - Primary & Secondary PD system.

A Learning Plan gives structure to your professional development by defining why you are engaging in particular activities (Self Analysis), and your goals for doing those activities (Learning Goals).

Take a look at this video showing you how easy it is to create a Professional Development Plan (PDP) using PD able.

It may be that you did not set the date range to the year that you entered the activity. To find your Activity, on the right side of the My Records screen, select the date range of the activity you just entered from the drop-down. By changing the date range, you will see the activities that you entered for those dates. Keep changing dates until you find the Activity you entered.

If you do not find the activity, you may have omitted Saving it. Unfortunately, you’ll have to enter it again.

If you entered the activity under the wrong date range, you would need to enter the Activity again under the proper date range.

Signing up to PD able is simple, register with a valid email address to get started. You can begin logging and tracking your Professional Development activity right away!

Our FREE PD options won't cost you a cent, so why not try it out today.

Your account will be downgraded to PD FREE and you will be assigned to the PD able default PD system.

On renewing your subscription you will be able to access full benefits of a paid subscription again.

If you participate in a proprietary PD System you may experience some disruption when joining back into that system, such as a disjointed flow of PD Cycles.

PD able offers different PD Systems to suit different professions around the world.

When choosing a new PD System your core PD records will be retained, but due to differences between PD Systems there will be some gaps that need to be tuned.

You will need to work through your completed activities to set attributes such as allocation toward competencies based on that system, and your points scheme will be recalculated accordingly.

Some PD systems may want to charge you a subscription fee for their use. As long as you agree to pay the cost, you'll be able to join that system.

You can connect with any organisation that has configured access based on our email address.

You can fully interact with an organisation only where you have paid your own subscription, or the organisation you are connected with has opted to pay your subscription fees (PRO PLAN) using the MemberPAY scheme.

We are working on a package of APIs and browser interfaces that will enable promotion of your activities to a highly targeted audience. Keep watch on this space.

If you are interested, please contact us and explain the features you are looking for. If nothing else we'll be sure to contact you when the service is ready.

PD able does all payment handling through Stripe, our PCI-compliant and world leading payment gateway provider.

Stripe has been audited by an independent PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and is certified as a PCI Level 1 Service Provider. This is the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry. PCI compliance is a shared responsibility and applies to both Stripe and you (your business).

When your Credit Card is saved for convenient payment of recurring billing, it is all done using services provided by Stripe. PD able does not store your Credit Card details.

Even though you may see your Credit Card details within the PD able website, you are actually interacting directly with Stripe via their APIs.

We value that you enjoy using our system and take great care to ensure your privacy is well protected.

PD able sends invoices and notifications that provide ample time to update your details before any action is taken to reduce your subscription level.

In the case of a payment not succeeding the worst that can happen is that you are downgraded to the free subscription level.

Your learning record will not be lost, and as soon as you are a paid-up subscriber again you will be able to pick from where you left off.

To ensure that your subscription runs continually, you must have a valid Credit Card set up in your Billing area. Your Credit Card will automatically be charged when your anniversary date is reached.

To stop your subscription from rolling over into the next year, you will need to remove your stored credit card prior to your anniversary date.

The invoice recipient email is controlled by the organisation’s billing roles. You need to create an account for the finance person, assign them the Invoice and Statement roles under Org Roles on your Employer/PD System Manager profile, and they’ll then receive invoice emails.

Save your credit card under Account → Billing → Credit Card. Once a card is stored, that card will be charged automatically each month, and you won’t need to pay by bank transfer/invoice. (Credit card billing is the default for organisations with fewer than 50 connected professionals.)

Yes. PD able supports international customers and aims to charge in the most relevant currency for your region.

Where possible, pricing will be displayed in your local currency (such as AUD or NZD) during the billing process. However, depending on payment provider settings or your payment method, the final charge may still be processed in another supported currency.

For organisations based outside New Zealand, PD able may provide region-specific payment instructions, including international bank transfer options where required.

Your bank or card provider may also apply their own foreign exchange conversion or international transaction fees.

If you are unsure about billing options in your region, our support team can provide guidance before you subscribe.