Guideline C: Promotion and Advertising
1. The development, delivery and promotion of learning activities must be free from commercial influence.
2. Learners must be able to easily access information about the Learning Activity to assist them in making an informed decision about registering in the Learning Activity. This information includes:
2.1 The Learning Objectives;
2.2 Abstract or description;
2.3 Number of CEUs;
2.4 CCCEP Accreditation information;
2.5 Completion requirements; and
2.6 Delivery mode and timing.
3. Promotional and/or otherwise unaccredited activities will be distinctly separated from accredited learning activities, explicitly identified, and/or must not be delivered/available concurrently with accredited learning activities. The purpose behind the separation is to ensure it is transparently and easily recognized whether an activity is accredited or unaccredited, so that the learner can make an informed decision regarding attendance.
4. Promotional and/or otherwise unaccredited activities will be clearly identified as unaccredited so that participants can make an informed choice regarding participation. This identification must include a specific statement that the activity is “unaccredited”. Examples of clear identification would include things such as: signage inside and outside the room, and the inclusion of a slide or verbal statement at the start of a session that it is unaccredited.
5. Product or service promotional materials may not be distributed as part of or during the delivery of an accredited Learning Activity.
5.1 For live (in-person) events, product or service promotional/unaccredited materials may be distributed at a booth or exhibit that is physically separated from accredited activities and clearly identified. Learners must be able to choose whether or not to enter this space.
5.2 For virtual events, products or service promotional/unaccredited materials may be accessible through a virtual breakout room that is separate from the space in which accredited activities are being delivered and clearly identified. Learners must be able to choose whether or not to enter this space.
5.2.1 If a linear virtual platform is used for delivery and there is no breakout room functionality, any promotional/unaccredited elements must occur at the END of the accredited learning, be clearly stated as unaccredited information both verbally and on screen, and learners given the opportunity to leave the virtual space prior to its delivery. The words “unaccredited information” must be clearly displayed on the screen for the entire time the information is being provided.
6. Printed learning materials will not include promotional/unaccredited information or references to promotional/unaccredited materials on the same pages as the accredited content. This includes the pages containing the table of contents, Learning Objectives, activity content, Learner Assessment and Learning Activity Evaluation.
7. Websites will not include promotional/unaccredited information, or links or references to promotional/unaccredited materials, on the same pages as accredited content. This includes the pages containing the table of contents, Learning Objectives, activity content, Learner Assessment and Learning Activity Evaluation.
8. Corporate names, logos, slogans, branding and product images of a Commercial Interest will not be used in any Learning Activity with the exception that a Provider may use their logo and corporate name on any content, promotional or other materials of a Learning Activity.
9. Advertising for an accredited Learning Activity may include acknowledging a Sponsor, including the use of the Sponsor’s logo, but it must be at the bottom of the page/back of the brochure etc., and the font size must not exceed that used for the other text in the document/email etc.
