The Practice-Based Learning Program (PBLP) offers several ways for members to earn Mainpro+ credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Despite the unified program structure, there are three distinct pathways to earn these credits, each certified separately. Credits are awarded annually and can be automatically uploaded to your CFPC account if you provide us with your CFPC number.
1. Small Group Learning
The Small Group component of the PBLP is certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 3 Mainpro+ group learning credits per hour.
To earn the full 3 credits per hour, a member must attend both the initial module topic session and the follow-up session, and their facilitator must submit both a Group Practice Reflection Tool (PRT) and Group Follow-up PRT. If a member misses either session, or if their facilitator does not submit the accompanying PRTs, the member will receive 2 credits per hour attended.
2. Individual Learning
For those who prefer to learn independently, the Individual component of the PBLP is certified by the CFPC for 5 Mainpro+ self-learning credits per module (with the submission of a Personal PRT and Personal Follow-Up PRT).
3. Practice Improvement Activity (PIA)
All PBLP members have access to the optional Practice Improvement Activities, which are certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for 2 Mainpro+ Assessment credits per hour. Depending on the scope of the activity, each PIA is worth either 20 or 40 credits. For Family Physicians in Quebec, it fulfills the CMQ’s Recognized Practice Assessment Activities (Category B credits).
CFPC’s Sunsetting of two- and three-credit-per-hour certification
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) has updated their Mainpro+ credit system, as of December 2024. Below is a summary of the changes and how they affect your PBLP credits. The key takeaway: your PBLP credits are not be affected, and you can expect to carry on as usual.
1. CFPC Credit per Hour Changes
While all programs will transition to 1 credit per hour, the FMPE is certified through 2025.
- In 2025: Your credits will be calculated the same as before.
- For Small Group Learning: Earn up to 3 Mainpro+ group learning credits per hour by attending both the initial and follow-up sessions, with your facilitator submitting both the Group Practice Reflection Tool (PRT) and Follow-Up PRT. If you miss either session, you will earn 2 credits per hour attended.
- For Individual Learning: Earn 5 Mainpro+ self-learning credits per module by completing the Personal PRT and Follow-Up PRT.
- Starting 2026: You will receive 1 credit per hour, but thanks to our negotiations with the CFPC, we can assure you that your total credits for our program will not decrease, and no extra time will be required to earn the same number of credits. More details will follow in late 2025.
2. CFPC Assessment Credit Requirements
Members will be required to submit at least 10 Assessment credits per 5-year cycle.
- You can start earning Assessment credits now via the Practice Improvement Activity (available on Members Online at no extra cost). Each activity is eligible for 20 or 40 Mainpro+ Assessment credits. Additional Assessment credits count toward your total requirement of 250 credits per 5-year cycle.
- Starting 2026, the PRT and Follow-Up PRT will also qualify for Assessment credits.
3. CFPC Mainpro+ Platform
We will continue to upload your credits to the CFPC as usual if you have provided your CFPC number.
Additional Information for Non-CFPC members/ those who report hours instead of credits
- In 2025: Individual Learning is worth 2.5 hours per completed Personal PRT and Follow-up PRT. Small Group learning is worth the number of hours reported on the attendance record.
- For members who claim credits with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: PBLP is worth one MOC Section 1 credit per hour. The Practice Improvement Activity, available through the PBLP, can be claimed as MOC Section 3 credits.
- Members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) are eligible to receive an equal number of Prescribed credits due to a reciprocal agreement with the CFPC. Upon request, we can also provide a credit certificate to report to other accrediting organizations.
If you have any questions about earning credits, please contact us at fmpe@mcmaster.ca.