External CPD credits should predominantly come from activities recognised by a Medical Postgraduate Training Body or by a Third Level institution. If a doctor attends a course or event which has not been recognised for external CPD, it is their responsibility to justify its relevance to their scope of practice and their maintenance of professional competence in the event that they are selected for audit by the Medical Council.
While there are times that unrecognised activities may be of relevance, these should be the exception rather than the norm for recording external credits. If recording an event of this nature, 1 hour of education activity = 1 credit and credits cannot be recorded for opening/closing speeches, lunch time, breaks, registration or unmoderated poster sessions.