nascholingspunten

Nascholingspunten are credits assigned to continuing education activities that professionals complete to maintain competence and meet regulatory or employment requirements. The system is used in the Netherlands, Flanders, and other Dutch-speaking areas, especially in health care but also in other regulated professions. Points are awarded by an accredited body for activities such as courses, seminars, conferences, hands-on workshops, peer-reviewed quality projects, and approved e-learning modules. The amount of points per activity often depends on duration, intensity, and the level of knowledge imparted.

Typically, professionals must accumulate a minimum number of nascholingspunten within a fixed cycle (for example annually or every few years) to renew a license, maintain a specialty, or keep registration with a professional body. Some sectors also require a minimum mix of activity types or a compulsory conference attendance. Points earned may be recorded in an online registry maintained by the regulator or by the professional association, and participants may need to provide certificates or logs for verification. In some cases, points expire after a certain period if not used within the cycle.

Variations exist by country and profession; the term nascholingspunten is the Dutch-language label for continuing education credits, comparable to CPD credits in other contexts. The system emphasizes quality and relevance of activities, rather than sheer quantity, and is intended to promote up-to-date practice and patient safety.

See also: Continuing professional development.