How Many CPD Hours Should NZ Financial Advisers Really Be Doing?

It’s a question that comes up a lot: how much CPD is enough? With the old 15-hour benchmark still floating around, many advisers are using that as a default. But under the current rules, there’s no magic number. So what’s the smart approach?

No Set Hours, Just Good Judgement

The FMA hasn’t laid down a minimum number of CPD hours for advisers. That’s on purpose. Instead, it’s up to each Financial Advice Provider (FAP) to decide what’s reasonable. The key isn’t clocking up hours for the sake of it, it’s making sure your development is actually useful.

What Does "Proper CPD" Look Like?

If you're serious about staying sharp, you're probably already hitting more than 20 hours a year without even trying. Why? Because proper CPD covers more than just the Code Standards. Think compliance training, business continuity planning (BCP), complaints processes, IT systems, updates from product providers, even listening to relevant podcasts... it all adds up.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

The flexibility here is a good thing. A senior adviser running a large business will have different development needs than someone just starting out. Your CPD should reflect the realities of your role, not someone else's checklist.

KAN Can Help

If you’re with KAN, don’t forget about the Professional Development Plan (PDP) template on Trail. It's a super practical way to map out your CPD over the year, and yes, it naturally steers you well past the 20-hour mark. 

Consider Quality, not Quantity

At the end of the day, this isn’t a numbers game. The FMA wants advisers to focus on growth, not box-ticking. So instead of aiming for a bare minimum, use CPD as a chance to plug knowledge gaps, stay current, and ultimately serve your clients better.