Online course for teachers
Professional Boundaries
Professional Boundaries helps teachers understand where the boundaries in their relationships with students lie, why breaches happen, and what to do if they have a concern about their own conduct or a colleague's. It is built on real New Zealand conduct cases.
- Time
- About an hour and a half, recorded as 1.5 CPD hours
- Format
- Nine short online modules, at your own pace
- On completion
- A certificate anyone can verify
Already enrolled? Sign in. Enrolling staff? See how school enrolment works.
Who the course is for
The course is written for New Zealand teachers at every stage of their career, from those in their first years in the classroom to experienced leaders. It is also useful for anyone who is new to a regulated profession, or who would like a clear refresher on professional boundaries.
For background reading, see ‘Let’s talk about Professional Boundaries (opens in a new tab)’ in New Zealand Principal, Term 2, June 2022.
Who wrote it
Professional Boundaries was developed by Professional Insight, whose investigators carry out professional conduct investigations for New Zealand regulators. The course draws on that experience, using New Zealand scenarios to show how boundary problems develop and what teachers can do to avoid them.
About our investigation workWhat the course covers
The nine modules work through the topics below, with scenarios and short knowledge checks along the way. The course finishes with a short assessment.
- 1What it means to belong to a profession, and what a professional boundary is
- 2What happens when a boundary is breached, and the harm it can cause
- 3The situations where boundaries are most at risk, and how to recognise them
- 4Social media and online contact, why they carry particular risk, and how to keep yourself safe
- 5Your professional responsibilities, including the duty to report
- 6What to do if you have concerns about your own conduct or a colleague’s
Course details
- Learning hours
1.5 CPD hours
This is the figure shown on your certificate of completion.
- Structure
Nine short modules
Each takes around 10 to 15 minutes, so the course can be fitted around a teaching week.
- Access
At least 12 months' access
Access runs from the day you enrol, and your progress is saved whenever you stop.
- Assessment and retakes
80% to pass
A short final assessment drawn at random from our question bank. If you do not pass, you can sit it again with a fresh set of questions; after two attempts we ask you to review the relevant modules before trying again.
- Devices
Any modern browser
The course works on a phone, tablet or computer, with nothing to install.
- Certificate
Verifiable online
Each certificate has its own reference number, which an employer or appraiser can check on our website.
How the course counts where you teach
Aotearoa New Zealand
Use your certificate and completion record as evidence for your Professional Growth Cycle, and of your engagement with the Code of Professional Responsibility.
New South Wales
Teachers typically self-log the hours in eTAMS as part of their professional development record.
Victoria, Queensland and the ACT
The hours typically count toward your 20 hours a year of teacher-identified professional development, referenced against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
Professional Boundaries is not formally accredited professional development in any Australian jurisdiction. The notes above describe how teachers typically record self-identified professional learning. If you are unsure, check with your regulator.
If you have questions about privacy, data or what your school can see, the Trust Centre answers them in detail.
Evidence for your Professional Growth Cycle
New Zealand does not set a required number of professional development hours. What counts toward your practising certificate is evidence of your learning against the Teaching Council's Standards. Each module of this course is mapped to the 2026 Standards and the Code of Professional Responsibility, so completing it gives you a clear record to use in your Professional Growth Cycle.
The specific Standards each module relates to are shown inside the course and in your evidence pack. The 2026 Standards take full effect on 1 January 2027, and how you use this evidence in your Professional Growth Cycle is a matter for you and your appraiser.
Mapped to the 2026 Standards
Each module shows you which of the Teaching Council’s Standards it relates to as you work through it.
Built around the Code
The course follows the Code of Professional Responsibility, so what you learn connects directly to the expectations of your profession.
An evidence pack to download
When you finish, you can download a record for your Professional Growth Cycle that lists the Standards and parts of the Code the course covers, alongside your own reflections.
Your reflections are private
What you write during the course is private to you. It appears in your own evidence pack and is never shared with your school.
What teachers have said
“Thanks for the course, it’s the best I have done in years.”
“I very strongly recommend this course, especially for people who are new in the profession.”
Common questions
If your question is not answered here, call Rachel Kent on 027 348 1326 or Bindy Tatham on 021 735 153.
Who is the course for?
It is written for New Zealand teachers, from those in their first years to experienced leaders. It is also useful for anyone new to a regulated profession, or anyone who would like a clear refresher on professional boundaries.
How long does it take?
About an hour and a half in total, which matches the 1.5 CPD hours on your certificate. There are nine modules of around 10 to 15 minutes each. Your progress is saved as you go, so you can complete the course in one sitting or over several.
How long do I have access?
You have at least 12 months of access from the day you enrol, so there is time to finish the course and to come back to the material later.
What happens if I do not pass the assessment?
You need 80% to pass. If you do not pass, you can sit the assessment again with a fresh set of questions drawn from our question bank. After two attempts we ask you to review the relevant modules before trying again.
What do I need to do the course?
A current web browser on a phone, tablet or computer. There is nothing to download or install.
Is there a certificate?
Yes. Once you have worked through the modules and passed the assessment, you can download a certificate of completion for your professional records. Each certificate has its own reference number, which anyone can check on our website.
Can a school enrol its whole staff?
Yes. We can enrol your staff for you, or your principal can add teachers directly. School leaders can see who has started and finished, and download a completion report for the board. The For schools page explains how this works.
Is it delivered in person too?
Yes. We also run Professional Boundaries in person for staff groups. Get in touch and we can arrange a session that suits your school.
How much does it cost?
A place costs NZ$195.50 including GST. You can pay by card and start straight away, or request an invoice for your school or organisation, for one place or many.
Enrol in Professional Boundaries
Request an invoice for yourself or your staff, and we will set up each person taking the course. If you would like an in-person session, get in touch.