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How Registered and Specialist Microbiologists earn, report, and maintain Continuing Professional Development units to keep their PAM certification active.
These guidelines apply to all certified Registered Microbiologists (RMicro) and Specialist Microbiologists (SMicro) maintaining active PAM certification. For the CPD Application Form, see Resources.
Section 1
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ensures that certified microbiologists keep pace with advances in diagnostic methods, laboratory standards, and regulatory requirements across healthcare, agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, and industry. CPD compliance is a condition for maintaining active RMicro or SMicro certification and for renewing Diplomate or Fellow status.
Section 2
Certified microbiologists are required to earn CPD units within each three (3) year compliance cycle, reckoned from the date of certification or last renewal. Units earned beyond the required minimum within a cycle may be carried over to the next cycle, subject to the carry-over limit set by the Continuing Professional Development Committee.
Section 3
CPD units may be earned through activities relevant to the practice of microbiology, including:
| Activity | Basis for Units |
|---|---|
| PAM Annual Convention | Attendance, per convention |
| Seminars, Workshops & Webinars | Per PRC-accredited contact hour |
| Published Research / Papers | Per peer-reviewed publication as author or co-author |
| Resource Speaker / Lecturer | Per engagement, subject to documentation |
| Committee & Board Service | Per term served on a PAM committee or board |
| Self-Directed Learning | Per completed accredited online course or module |
Exact unit values per activity are published in the CPD Point System table, available together with the CPD Application Form under Resources. Activities not listed may be submitted to the Continuing Professional Development Committee for evaluation and unit assignment on a case-by-case basis.
Section 4
To report CPD units for a compliance cycle:
Section 5
A certified microbiologist who does not complete the required CPD units within a compliance cycle is placed on inactive status and may not represent themselves as an active PAM- certified professional until reinstated. Reinstatement requires settling any outstanding unit deficiency, submitting proof of activities completed during the inactive period, and payment of the applicable reinstatement fee. Reinstatement requirements and procedures are detailed in the Criteria for Certification documents under Resources.
Section 6
Certified microbiologists who are unable to complete CPD requirements due to documented illness, overseas assignment, or other meritorious circumstances may request a waiver or extension from the Council of Regents. Requests must be submitted in writing, with supporting documentation, before the end of the applicable compliance cycle whenever possible.
Section 7
The Continuing Professional Development Committee administers the CPD system — evaluating claimed activities, maintaining attendance and accreditation records, issuing CPD unit certificates, and recommending policy updates to the Council of Regents. Questions about unit eligibility, compliance status, or reinstatement should be directed to connect@pam.org.ph.
