Pest Control CPD Requirements 2026: What Counts, How Many Points Do You Need and What Changes in 2027?
Pest Control CPD Requirements 2026: What Counts, How Many Points Do You Need and What Changes in 2027?
Pest control CPD requirements in 2026 are especially important for UK pest management professionals following changes to rodenticide stewardship, training and proof of competence. With 2027 approaching, technicians need to understand what counts towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD), how many points they require and what evidence is needed to continue purchasing and using professional-use rodenticides.
The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU UK) introduced strengthened proof-of-competence requirements on 1 January 2026.
These requirements are not limited to 2026. The framework continues into 2027, meaning pest controllers need to maintain appropriate qualifications or meet the ongoing conditions of an approved CPD scheme.
But what exactly counts as pest control CPD?
Can technicians earn points by listening to podcasts? How do BPCA Registered, BASIS PROMPT and the British Pest Register compare? And what happens if you don’t complete your CRRU-approved CPD before the end of 2026?
In this guide, Pest Perspectives Podcast, hosted by Shaun Muller, explores these questions and highlights expert discussions with Kieron Bewes and Elaine Bliss about professional development, rodenticide rules and the future of pest management.
What Is CPD in Pest Control?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the ongoing process of improving professional knowledge, developing practical skills and staying informed about industry changes.
Pest control involves considerably more than identifying pests and applying treatments.
Professional technicians need to understand pest biology, public health risks, product safety, environmental protection, legislation and effective pest management techniques.
Relevant CPD topics can include:
Rodent control and prevention
Rodenticide stewardship and environmental risk assessments
Insecticide resistance and treatment methods
Integrated pest management (IPM)
Bed bug biology and control
Bird management and proofing
Drainage investigations
Pest identification
Food safety and audited commercial premises
Health and safety
Pest control equipment and technology
Business management and customer communication
CPD allows technicians to build on their initial qualifications while responding to new guidance, research and industry developments.
The purpose of CPD should be to improve professional competence, not simply collect points.
Is CPD Mandatory for Pest Controllers in the UK?
There is no single universal legal requirement for every UK pest controller to collect a fixed number of annual CPD points. However, CPD is required by certain professional registers and forms part of an accepted proof-of-competence route for professional rodenticide use.
It is important to understand the difference between:
Professional qualifications and competence.
Membership requirements of a CPD scheme.
CRRU UK stewardship requirements for professional-use rodenticides.
A technician may hold a qualification that demonstrates competence, but continuing professional development helps ensure that knowledge remains current.
Those relying on the CRRU-approved CPD route must also maintain the necessary scheme membership and annual learning requirements.
CRRU UK – CPD and Rodenticide Stewardship
What Changed Under the CRRU Rodenticide Rules in 2026?
From 1 January 2026, CRRU UK strengthened the proof-of-competence requirements for purchasing and using professional-use rodenticides.
Under the framework, there are two accepted routes.
Route 1: A CRRU-Approved Qualification Within Five Years
Technicians can demonstrate competence by holding certification from a CRRU UK-approved training course completed within the previous five years.
This provides one recognised route for purchasing and subsequently using professional-use rodenticides.
Route 2: An Older Qualification Supported by CPD
Technicians whose CRRU-approved training certificate is more than five years old can demonstrate competence by holding that qualification alongside current membership of a CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme.
They must meet the relevant membership requirements, including the required CRRU-approved learning.
This means an older qualification does not automatically become unusable when it reaches five years.
Instead, the technician may be able to maintain their recognised competence through continuing professional development.
Which CPD Schemes Are Recognised by CRRU UK?
CRRU UK identifies three approved pest management CPD schemes:
BASIS PROMPT
BPCA Registered
British Pest Register
These schemes have their own rules for membership, annual learning and recording CPD.
They also incorporate the requirement for three points, hours or credits of CRRU-relevant rodent control learning each year, as part of the normal CPD quota.
CRRU UK – CPD and Rodenticide Stewardship
Rodenticide Rules 2026 and Preparing for 2027: Kieron Bewes on Pest Perspectives Podcast
One of the most relevant discussions on Pest Perspectives Podcast is Episode 38, featuring Kieron Bewes.
Originally released in October 2025, the episode was recorded ahead of the significant rodenticide stewardship changes introduced in January 2026.
Kieron joins host Shaun Muller to discuss what professional pest controllers needed to understand about the forthcoming requirements.
What Does the Episode Cover?
The discussion explores:
CRRU rodenticide changes for 2026
Preparing for professional rodenticide purchasing requirements
Qualifications and proof of competence
The importance of Continuing Professional Development
What technicians needed to do before the changes took effect
Wider industry training and professional standards
NPTA PestTech 2025 and industry development opportunities
Although the podcast was published in 2025, the central discussion remains relevant as pest controllers prepare for 2027.
Do the Same CRRU Rules Apply in 2027?
Yes. The proof-of-competence framework introduced on 1 January 2026 continues to apply in 2027 under the currently published CRRU UK requirements.
The two recognised routes remain:
A CRRU-approved training certificate completed within the previous five years.
An older approved qualification supported by current membership of a CRRU-approved CPD scheme meeting its requirements.
For technicians following the CPD route, professional development must remain current.
For example, BPCA Registered members relying on this route need to complete their required 2026 CPD to support CRRU certification for 2027.
Maintaining competence is an ongoing process.
Listen to Kieron Bewes explain the CRRU rodenticide rules for 2026 and 2027
The 31st December 2026 CPD Deadline: What Pest Controllers Need for 2027
For technicians following the BPCA Registered CPD route, 31 December 2026 is an important deadline.
In October 2026, the British Pest Control Association reminded members to check their technicians’ CRRU-approved CPD records before the end of the year.
Technicians using this route must complete:
Their required annual BPCA Registered CPD.
At least three CRRU UK-approved CPD points during 2026.
The appropriate qualification and membership requirements.
The three CRRU points form part of the normal 20-point annual BPCA Registered requirement. They are not an additional three points.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
BPCA has confirmed that the required 2026 CRRU points cannot simply be completed retrospectively in 2027 to obtain certification covering a missed 2026 requirement.
A technician relying on this route who has not satisfied the requirements may need to recertify before continuing to purchase or use professional-use rodenticides.
This makes checking CPD records before December particularly important.
Technicians should allow sufficient time for submitted learning to be reviewed and approved.
Completing training is not necessarily the same as having the points successfully recorded and validated.
How Many CPD Points Do Pest Controllers Need in 2026?
BPCA Registered
BPCA Registered requires 20 CPD points annually across relevant professional development subjects.
The scheme recognises structured and unstructured learning.
Where applicable, three CRRU-approved points are included within the annual total.
Learn more about BPCA Registered and pest control CPD requirements
BASIS PROMPT requires 20 CPD points annually for full members.
Its published guidance sets a lower general requirement for associate members, so technicians should check their individual membership category.
Members using the CRRU-recognised CPD route must meet the applicable rodenticide learning requirements alongside their wider registration criteria.
Points should be earned through an appropriate range of professional development activities.
Visit BASIS PROMPT for pest control CPD membership information
British Pest Register
The British Pest Register provides another CRRU UK-approved route for recording professional development.
Its standard professional CPD framework has included a 20-point annual requirement, with three qualifying CRRU points forming part of the overall requirement.
Members should confirm the latest conditions for their membership category.
The register supports a range of relevant learning activities, including eligible educational podcasts.
What Counts as Pest Control CPD in 2026?
There are several ways to develop professional knowledge and potentially earn CPD points.
However, the activity must meet the criteria of the relevant CPD scheme.
Not every activity carries the same point value.
- Professional Training Courses
Formal training remains one of the most established forms of CPD.
Examples include insect identification, rodenticide stewardship, drainage investigations, bird control, food safety and specialist treatment methods.
Approved courses may have allocated CPD points.
- Industry Conferences and Events
Pest management events provide opportunities to hear from trainers, researchers, suppliers and experienced industry professionals.
Events such as NPTA PestTech and relevant BPCA conferences may offer recognised CPD activities.
These events also support professional networking and discussions about developing pest control technology.
- Webinars and Online Learning
Webinars allow technicians to access professional education remotely.
Subjects can include legislation, product safety, environmental risk assessments, resistance management and practical techniques.
Certain online courses and assessments also provide specific CRRU-approved CPD learning.
- Reading Technical Articles and Research
Industry publications, research papers and educational articles can contribute towards CPD where recognised by the appropriate scheme.
The activity should demonstrate genuine professional learning.
- Workplace Learning and Mentoring
Learning new inspection techniques, receiving professional guidance or participating in relevant technical discussions may qualify under schemes recognising unstructured professional development.
- Educational Pest Control Podcasts
Educational podcasts are an increasingly accessible way for pest controllers to learn from industry professionals.
They allow technicians to hear practical experiences, technical discussions and specialist perspectives from people working directly in pest management.
However, podcast listening does not automatically qualify for every CPD scheme or satisfy the three CRRU-specific points.
Can You Earn CPD Points by Listening to Pest Perspectives Podcast?
Yes. Pest Perspectives Podcast supports recognised professional learning through eligible podcast activities, subject to the rules of the listener’s CPD scheme.
Hosted by Shaun Muller, Pest Perspectives features discussions with technicians, business owners, manufacturers, researchers and specialist pest management professionals.
Topics include:
Rodent control and prevention
Bed bug treatment
Bird management
Pest identification
Industry compliance
Professional training
Commercial pest management
Rodenticide stewardship
Drainage investigations
Business development
BPCA Registered: Recording Podcast CPD
BPCA Registered recognises relevant podcasts as unstructured CPD.
Listeners can record their learning through the BPCA Registered CPD diary.
Useful information to include is:
Podcast episode title
Date completed
Relevant listening time
Main learning outcomes
What information was new
How the knowledge could improve professional practice
The activity must satisfy BPCA Registered’s recording requirements.
British Pest Register: Podcast Quizzes
Eligible Pest Perspectives episodes are supported through British Pest Register learning activities.
These may involve answering a quiz about the episode, covering subjects discussed by the guest.
Where a quiz is available, listeners can complete the assessment and receive the relevant CPD credit after satisfying its conditions.
Podcast quizzes are a useful way to encourage active listening and demonstrate that learning has taken place.
BASIS PROMPT: Does Listening Count?
BASIS PROMPT members should check whether a particular podcast activity is eligible and what evidence or approval is required.
Pest Perspectives has discussed how listeners may record relevant educational podcast activity.
However, recognition should not be assumed for every episode.
Learn How to Earn CPD Points Through Pest Perspectives Podcast
If you would like to understand how professional podcast learning can contribute towards CPD, Pest Perspectives has dedicated episodes explaining the available processes.
Learn how to earn CPD points from listening to Pest Perspectives Podcast
Do Pest Control Podcasts Count Towards CRRU-Approved CPD?
This is an important distinction.
Listening to an educational podcast about rodenticide stewardship does not automatically provide a CRRU-approved CPD point.
The three required CRRU points must come from qualifying learning that meets CRRU UK’s criteria and is recognised through an approved scheme.
For example, a podcast discussing rodenticide legislation might provide useful general professional development.
However, listeners should not assume that it satisfies the specific CRRU stewardship requirement without appropriate approval.
CRRU UK provides learning resources on subjects including:
Permanent baiting guidance
Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides
Wildlife exposure to rodenticides
Environmental risk assessments
Direct bait application in burrows
Updates to stewardship and best practice
These subjects are particularly relevant to pest controllers responsible for rodenticide selection and application.
CRRU UK – Training and Certification
Can Other Pest Control Podcasts Count Towards CPD?
Pest Perspectives Podcast is one of several industry podcasts that can support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for pest management professionals.
Other educational programmes, including Beauties and Beasties, and the Killgerm Podcast, also provide opportunities to learn about pest biology, treatment techniques, professional development and industry changes.
Listen to Beauties and Beasties Podcast
Listening to relevant educational podcasts may contribute towards CPD through schemes such as BPCA Registered, BASIS PROMPT and the British Pest Register, subject to their individual requirements.
Some podcasts offer dedicated CPD assessments or registration arrangements, while others may qualify as unstructured professional learning.
Not every podcast episode automatically qualifies for CPD, and general podcast learning should not be confused with CRRU-approved rodenticide CPD.
The most important consideration is the educational value of the discussion and whether it meets the relevant CPD scheme’s requirements.
This keeps the article fair, independent and informative, while naturally promoting Pest Perspectives alongside other industry podcasts.
Pest Control CPD: Why Real Learning Matters – Elaine Bliss
Another important Pest Perspectives discussion features Elaine Bliss, Technical Manager at PestFix.
In Episode 79, Shaun Muller talks with Elaine about professional training, careers, technical competence and the difference between maintaining qualifications and continually developing knowledge.
The conversation challenges the idea that professional development should be treated as a simple box-ticking exercise.
It also explores why qualifications alone do not necessarily demonstrate that a technician has remained informed about changes in the industry.
That distinction becomes particularly relevant when discussing the five-year qualification route for rodenticide competence.
A technician who completed formal training several years ago may still be highly experienced.
However, experience should be supported by an understanding of current guidance, research and professional standards.
CPD provides a structured opportunity to maintain and strengthen that knowledge.
Listen to Elaine Bliss on Pest Perspectives Podcast
Pest Control CPD: Why It Matters | Elaine Bliss, PestFix
Listen to Elaine Bliss discuss pest control CPD and professional development
How Can Pest Controllers Prepare Their CPD for 2027?
Technicians relying on the CPD route should begin preparing for the following year before their current registration period ends.
A practical approach includes:
Check your existing qualifications. Confirm the date of your CRRU-approved training certificate and whether you are relying on the qualification or CPD route.
Review your CPD membership. Make sure you are registered with an appropriate approved scheme.
Check your annual points. Confirm how many general CPD points are recorded.
Verify CRRU-approved learning. Make sure the required three CRRU points have been completed and accepted where applicable.
Check outstanding submissions. Do not assume every event or course has automatically updated your record.
Keep evidence. Retain certificates, learning records and relevant confirmation.
Plan further learning. Continue developing knowledge across different pest management subjects.
For BPCA Registered members preparing for 2027 certification, the 2026 requirements and the 31 December deadline are particularly important.
For other approved schemes, members should verify their relevant annual arrangements and certification process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pest Control CPD in 2026 and 2027
How many CPD points do pest controllers need in 2026?
BPCA Registered requires 20 annual CPD points with CRRU points for all cpd providers. BASIS PROMPT,BPCA & British pest register.
Are pest control CPD points mandatory?
There is no universal requirement for every UK pest controller to collect CPD points, but they are required for certain professional registers and the approved CPD route to demonstrating rodenticide competence.
What counts towards pest control CPD?
Eligible activities may include training courses, conferences, technical webinars, professional reading, workplace learning and educational podcasts. Recognition depends on the scheme.
Do the 2026 CRRU requirements still apply in 2027?
Yes. Under the published framework, pest controllers must continue to demonstrate competence through a qualifying recent CRRU-approved certificate or an older approved certificate supported by current membership of an approved CPD scheme.
20-point annual requirement, with three qualifying CRRU points forming part of the overall requirement.
Do I need three CRRU points for 2027?
20-point annual requirement, with three qualifying CRRU points forming part of the overall requirement.
Can I use my old rodenticide qualification?
An older CRRU-approved qualification may remain acceptable when supported by current membership of a CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme meeting its requirements.
Can Pest Perspectives Podcast count towards CPD?
Yes. Eligible episodes can support professional CPD through recognised routes, including BPCA Registered’s unstructured learning and British Pest Register podcast assessments.
Can I claim CRRU points by listening to the Kieron Bewes episode?
The Kieron Bewes episode offers useful educational discussion about CRRU requirements, but listening alone should not be assumed to award one of the three CRRU-approved points. Check with your scheme for the relevant approval and recording arrangements.
What happens if I miss the 31 December 2026 deadline?
Technicians relying on the BPCA Registered CPD route who fail to meet the qualifying 2026 requirements may need to recertify before continuing to purchase or use professional-use rodenticides.
Do CPD points carry over into 2027?
This depends on the professional scheme. For example, BASIS PROMPT states that CPD points cannot be carried forward between registration years.
Final Thoughts: CPD Is About Professional Standards, Not Just Points
Pest control is an industry that continues to develop through research, training, technology and changing professional expectations.
The CRRU requirements introduced in 2026 demonstrate the importance of maintaining appropriate competence throughout a technician’s career.
Those requirements also remain relevant as the industry moves into 2027.
The discussions with Kieron Bewes and Elaine Bliss on Pest Perspectives highlight two connected issues.
Firstly, pest controllers need to understand their responsibilities regarding qualifications, rodenticide stewardship and proof of competence.
Secondly, professional development should be about continually improving knowledge rather than collecting points simply to satisfy an annual requirement.
Whether technicians are learning about rodenticide resistance, bed bug treatment, wildlife protection or commercial pest management, the objective should always be to develop better professional judgement.
Better training leads to better-informed decisions, stronger professional standards and more effective pest management.
Listen to Pest Perspectives Podcast for Pest Control Education and CPD
Pest Perspectives Podcast is an independent UK pest management podcast hosted by Shaun Muller.
The show brings together pest controllers, researchers, trainers, manufacturers and business owners to discuss technical subjects, industry changes and professional development.
Rodenticide Rules 2026: CRRU Changes Pest Controllers Need to Know | Kieron Bewes
A discussion about the CRRU changes, qualifications and preparing for professional rodenticide purchasing requirements.
Listen to Kieron Bewes explain the CRRU rodenticide rules for 2026 and 2027
Pest Control CPD: Why It Matters | Elaine Bliss, PestFix
A discussion about technical training, professional standards and the importance of genuine continuing development.
Listen to Elaine Bliss discuss pest control CPD and professional development
How to Earn CPD Points From Pest Perspectives Podcast
Find out how educational podcast listening may be recognised by different professional CPD schemes.
Learn how to earn CPD points from listening to Pest Perspectives Podcast
Listen to Beauties and Beasties Podcast
Follow Pest Perspectives Podcast
If you’re a pest controller, business owner, technician or industry professional interested in keeping your knowledge up to date, explore the Pest Perspectives episode library.
Listen, follow and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for practical discussions about professional pest management.
Official Sources and Further Reading
CRRU UK – CPD and Rodenticide Stewardship
CRRU UK – Training and Certification
BPCA Registered – Pest Control CPD Scheme
BASIS PROMPT – Pest Control CPD