With the updated Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services 2025 (the Code) now in effect and the NZCFS (Level 5) Version 3 setting the current benchmark for competence, knowledge, and skill, continued professional development (CPD) planning has become more structured and outcomes focused.

At the end of January, Strategi will release the CPD Handbook 2026, a practical working guide to help FAPs and advisers understand what is required under Code Standard 9 and how to take a clear, defendable approach to CPD.

The handbook explains how CPD aligns to different roles within a FAP, how curated CPD bundles can be used to keep training relevant, and how CPD activity fits together across the year rather than being treated as isolated modules. It also provides guidance on preparing a Professional Development Plan (PDP) that reflects both role requirements and NZCFS (Level 5) Version 3 outcomes.

For 2026, the Closing the Gaps course sits at the foundation of this approach, helping existing advisers bridge earlier qualifications and align with current skill standards.

The CPD Handbook 2026 will be available as a free download later this month. We’ll share the link once it’s released.