How Long Does It Take to Complete 12 CPD Points Online?

NSW licensed builders must complete 12 CPD points every year to renew their contractor licence. The question most builders ask is: how long does it actually take? The honest answer — most builders finish all 12 points in one to two days of self-paced online study. Some finish in a single afternoon. Builders CPD Online (RTO 91528) delivers all 12 points entirely online, from $169, with no time limits and no fixed schedule.

This guide explains exactly how long each course takes, how the format works, and what happens when you finish — so you can plan your CPD around your workload, not the other way around.

How Long Does Each CPD Course Take?

Each online CPD course at Builders CPD Online typically takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours to complete, depending on the topic and your reading pace. A single CPD point equates to roughly one hour of study — so 12 CPD points represents approximately 12 hours of total content.

That said, most builders work through the material faster than the nominal hour-per-point estimate. Course content is written in plain English, structured for working builders — not dense academic reading. You answer a short quiz at the end of each course to confirm completion.

Can I Complete My CPD in One Day?

Yes — and many NSW builders do. If you set aside a full day, 12 CPD points is achievable in a single sitting. The courses are self-paced and designed to be completed in one session if needed. There are no lock-out periods between courses and no waiting for instructor feedback.

If a full day is not possible, you can split the 12 points across multiple sessions. The platform saves your progress automatically — pick up exactly where you left off, whether that is the next morning, the following weekend, or three weeks later. There is no deadline within your enrolment period.

Is There a Time Limit on My Enrolment?

Your enrolment does not expire mid-year. Once you register and pay, you have access to your chosen courses for your full CPD year. That said, you must complete all 12 points before your contractor licence renewal date — NSW Fair Trading requires CPD to be completed within each licence period.

The practical advice: do not leave it until the week before your renewal. Builders who complete CPD early have their certificate ready, their renewal is straightforward, and there is no scrambling. Builders who leave it late sometimes find their renewal held up while they rush to finish the last few points.

What Happens After You Finish?

Once you complete all required courses, your CPD certificate is issued instantly — no waiting, no manual processing. The certificate is emailed to you and also available to download from your account dashboard. It includes your name, licence number, RTO 91528, the courses completed, CPD points awarded, and the completion date.

This certificate is what NSW Fair Trading requires when you lodge your contractor licence renewal. Keep a copy in a safe place — the renewal process through Service NSW is straightforward once you have it in hand. For a full walkthrough of the renewal steps, see our guide on how to renew your builder licence in NSW.

Can I Do CPD on My Phone or Tablet?

Yes — the platform is fully mobile and tablet responsive. Every course works on iPhone, Android, iPad, and any modern browser. Many NSW builders complete their CPD during lunch breaks on-site, in the car between jobs, or on the couch in the evening. You do not need a desktop computer or a fast internet connection.

Who Needs to Complete CPD?

All NSW licensed contractors holding a residential building contractor licence or a swimming pool and spa contractor licence must complete 12 CPD points per year. This applies regardless of whether you are an individual licence holder or a company licence holder. The requirement is set by NSW Fair Trading under the Home Building Act 1989.

If you are unsure whether your licence type requires CPD, check the NSW Fair Trading CPD page or contact Service NSW directly.

What’s Included in the 12 CPD Points?

Your 12 CPD points must be spread across NSW Fair Trading’s eight approved learning areas. These cover the full scope of running a residential building business — from contracts and compliance through to WHS, sustainability, and technical building skills. At Builders CPD Online, you choose which courses to complete from 40 options across all CPD course categories.

The eight learning areas are: Compliance and Legal, Technical Building, Business Management, WHS and Safety, Sustainability, Financial Management, Customer Service and Dispute Resolution, and Digital Literacy. You can read a full breakdown in our guide to the 8 CPD learning areas for NSW builders.

How Much Does It Cost?

Completing 12 CPD points online through Builders CPD Online costs $169. That covers your full annual requirement — all 12 points, all eight learning areas, instant certificate on completion. For builders who need 36 CPD points (three years of licence renewal in one go), the package costs $449.

There are no hidden fees, no per-course charges on top of the package price, and no extra cost for the certificate. The price includes access to all 40 courses for the duration of your enrolment period.

How to Get Started

Getting started takes less than five minutes. Go to the registration page, create your account, choose your CPD package (12 or 36 points), and pay securely online. You get instant access to all courses. There is no waiting for approval, no induction session, and no login delays.

Once inside, the dashboard shows all available courses sorted by learning area. Choose your first course, read through the content at your own pace, complete the short quiz, and move on. Most builders find the first course done within the hour. See also: how to complete your 12 CPD points online — full guide.

Frequently Asked Questions