Accredited Provider Framework
The Law Society offers an accredited provider framework for Continuing Professional Development ("CPD"). Under this policy, the Law Society will grant Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content status to those providers who are able to demonstrate a history of delivering quality legal training and education to lawyers and/or paralegals through an application process. There is no time limit on applying for the status. Please view the Accredited Providers of Professionalism Content webpage for an updated list.
Accredited Provider status allows education providers, law associations, law firms and government providers of in-house training, and other such established organizations, to deliver professionalism content in CPD programs and courses without requiring an individual application for each session. Accredited Providers are required to ensure professionalism content included in programs is appropriately aligned with the Accreditation Criteria for Professionalism Hours.
Accredited Provider status does not mean the provider must include professionalism content in every program; it means that the provider need not apply for accreditation of professionalism content where it is included in its programming.
Programs that address approved professionalism topics must be advertised in accordance with the Communication Guidelines for Providers.
Lawyers and Paralegals who engage in teaching professionalism content for Accredited Providers only do not require accreditation of this activity by the Law Society and should enter their Professionalism Hours on the Portal using the 1 hour of teaching = 3 Professionalism Hours formula.
The Law Society continues to maintain the accreditation process for those providers who do not meet or do not apply for Accredited Provider status to ensure such training meets the Law Society's Accreditation Criteria for Professionalism Hours. The Law Society's Accreditation Process continues to support the fulfillment of the CPD Requirement through a range of eligible education activities by accreditation of individual member efforts (e.g. teaching, writing, mentoring and study groups) for Professionalism Hours. Substantive content is not subject to accreditation by the Law Society.
A. Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status Application Form
B. Criteria for Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status
C. Maintenance of Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status
D. Refusal or Revocation of Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status
A. Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status Application Form
The Law Society requires approximately six weeks from date of receipt to review and respond to Accredited Provider Application Forms.
Once granted Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content status, providers will be able to deliver professionalism content in their programs and courses without requiring an individual application for each session. Accredited Providers are also required to comply with the obligations set forth below under section C. Maintenance of Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status.
B. Criteria for Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status
Accredited Provider status is granted based on fulfillment of the following criteria:
- Proven history in and a primary focus on delivering quality legal training and education to lawyers and/or paralegals;
- Demonstrated understanding of the Accreditation Criteria for Professionalism Hours and professionalism principles as evidenced by a portfolio of programs accredited by the Law Society within the last two years;
- Presence of lawyer or paralegal faculty or other qualified industry experts as appropriate to the subject matter;
- Use of appropriate delivery methods reflective of current best practices in adult education, including a meaningful opportunity for participant interaction with instructors and/or other attendees during its original presentation; and
- An opportunity for participant feedback by way of program evaluations, surveys or other similar channels.
C. Maintenance of Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status
Accredited Providers are required to fulfill the following obligations in order to maintain the status:
- Ensure that professionalism content is squarely aligned with the relevant ethics, professional responsibility, practice management and/or equality, diversity and inclusion concepts and principles expressed in the Accreditation Criteria for Professionalism Hours;
- Ensure that program promotional materials comply with the Law Society's prescribed Communication Guidelines for Providers ;
- Retain copies of agendas, materials and participant feedback for all programs containing Professionalism Hours for 12 months following the program;
- Participate in random requests for program materials and/or in person program audits by Law Society staff to ensure alignment with the Accreditation Criteria for Professionalism Hours;
- Submit an annual listing of all offerings containing Professionalism Hours to the Law Society on or before January 15 of the following year; and
- Submit a signed Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Annual Declaration stating that the provider has fulfilled the criteria as stated above on or before January 15 of the following year.
D. Refusal or Revocation of Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content Status
At its sole discretion, the Law Society reserves the right to refuse or revoke Accredited Provider status at any time where it is determined that a provider has failed to fulfill some or all of the obligations listed above. If status is refused or revoked, the provider will have an opportunity to re-apply one year after the date of refusal or revocation.