OPD guidelines for RSP

The items below can help you to identify development activities, appropriate evidence, and the relative number of hours that each activity may attract. It is not a definitive list. In your two-yearly return you are welcome to list similar activities more applicable to your role. Suggestions for new or amended items for the table are welcome.

Meeting your OPD requirements is easiest if you log each activity as it happens and not store up information and enter at the end.

LEARNING

Enrol and attend training course

Webinar or seminar or conference or workshop, short course, unit or module, field day, vocational qualification or university qualification relevant to your RSP accreditation

Evidence: Enrolment, attendance and/or attainment certificates

Hours: Up to 5 hours OPD per day of attendance

Develop and or deliver a training course

Present at a seminar, conference clinic, workshop, tour or field day related to soil science OR oversee the presentation of field days, field excursions, group discussions, seminars, lectures and demonstrations OR design, develop and deliver an education program or lecture relevant to your RSP accreditation

Evidence: Flyer or program or similar showing details including responsibilities of oversight, date, duration, location, etc

Hours: A maximum of 5 hours of OPD awarded to each presentation. Repeats of a presentation are not claimable for OPD.

Provide mentoring.

Supervise others’ learning or support or mentor less experienced soil scientists

Evidence: Details of this activity including responsibilities for this activity, name of mentees, etc

Hours: Up to 10 hours per mentee

PRACTICE

Reading and personal research

Evidence: Details of articles studied, and findings or practices learned

Hours: Up to 10 hours OPD per 2-year period

On-the-job development

Take part in work projects relevant to your RSP accreditation.

Evidence: Evidence of involvement in activity such as title page or webpage showing your contribution.

Hours: A maximum of 10 hours of OPD awarded for each project.

Communication

Communicate soil information to others

Evidence: Details of presentation (date, duration, location, etc)

Hours: Max 5 hours of OPD awarded to for each communication activity. Repeats of a presentation are not claimable.

SERVICE

Membership of and attendance at a relevant association, committee, regulatory board or advisory panel                                                                                                        

Evidence: Minutes of meetings, attendance records.

Hours: Max 10 hours OPD per 2 years for routine committee attendance.

Other relevant pro bono activities that enhance the domain of soil science        

Evidence: Details of the activity and your involvement

Hours: Max of 10 hours of OPD awarded for each submission

Receive award for excellence in a discipline relevant to soil science                                                                                                                                            

Evidence: Details of award

Hours: Max 5 hours of OPD awarded for each award.

Volunteering for peer assessments or interviews for accreditation

Evidence: Email confirmation of involvement

Hours: Max 5 hours of OPD awarded for activity

Resource Last Updated: February 17, 2025