The need to maintain and expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities is a critical aspect of a professional's career. Documentation that they are progressing in their career is necessary for acceptance within and external to the profession. ICSM has put in place standards and requirements for credentialed participants in the Institute to maintain their professional standing. There are four components that can be used to meet the annual requirements for continuing professional development (CPD).

• Continuing Education

• Mentoring

• Peer Review

• Service to the Profession

Continuing education is the most important of the components and must be a part of every professional’s annual efforts. The continuing education activity must comply with recognized standards and is credited as one continuing education unit for every ten contact hours. A wide variety of sources and subjects are acceptable and are considered based on standards of delivery, duration, difficulty, and relevance to ITSM.

Mentoring is invaluable to a professional. Giving and receiving guidance on advancement within a chosen career path and the decisions related to that career are excellent ways to refine and learn from experience. The Institute recognizes this value and facilitates the process. Professional development credit is granted for the effort in providing mentoring to others in the profession.

Peer review provides an opportunity to participate in the professional development of peers and contribute to the body of professional knowledge and research. The analytical process involved enables careful examination of new ideas for their validity and applicability to ITSM. CPD credit is granted for acceptable work in providing a peer review of material, or the document for peer review, contributing to the body of ITSM knowledge.

Service to the profession is the final component recognized as valuable to the development of a professional. Participation in the leadership, operating committees, and working groups of ICSM and itSMF USA gives back to and advances the profession to everyone’s benefit. As such, the Institute grants CPD credit for this activity as a portion of the annual requirements to be met.

Each level of participation in the Institute has a different level of annual CPD to maintain the professional credential held. An Associate requires one CPD credit each year, a Professional, two and a Distinguished Professional three credits per year to maintain their credential. Verification submitted by a participant for credit is subject to validation and audit.