We run the workshops at the EMWA conferences in spring and autumn each year.
There are about 120 different workshops in the EPDP programme, covering subjects that span all areas of medical writing, as well as related topics such as statistics, health economics and cross-cultural communication.
Area of expertise covered by foundation and advanced Workshops:
- Drug Development DDF/DDA
- Language and Writing LWF/LWA
- Medical Communications MCF/MCA
- Medical Science MSF/MSA
- Professional Techniques PTF/PTA
- Medical Devices MDF/MDA
Each workshop is reviewed and approved by the EMWA Professional Development Committee (EPDC) to ensure educational excellence. Sessions typically include a mix of lectures, group exercises, and discussion, designed to foster both understanding and engagement.
Participants complete a pre-workshop assignment and a post-workshop assessment. Successful completion earns you EPDP credits, which count towards EMWA professional development certificates — a strong addition to your CV and a clear demonstration of your commitment to continued learning.
You can browse the EPDP brochure to see the full range of EPDP workshops and workshop leaders’ biographies.
How to get an EMWA Workshops Certificate?
Both foundation and advanced workshops can be done to gain EPDP credits. To gain a credit, you must do the pre-workshop assignment (if applicable), attend the workshop, and satisfactorily complete the post-workshop assignment, as described below. If you satisfactorily complete an all-day workshop, you will be awarded 2 credits.
Credits are tracked in your EMWA professional development record, accessible through your online account for as long as you are a member.
Please note: While EMWA certificates reflect meaningful achievement, they do not constitute formal certification of professional competence. Certificate holders should not describe themselves as “EMWA certified” or “certified medical writers.”
You can apply for an EMWA certificate by collecting EPDP credits. You need 8 credits from different workshops to qualify for a certificate. Each EPDP credit can only count once towards 1 certificate. Contact EMWA Head Office to apply for a certificate: email info@emwa.org.
EPDP for-credit workshops are divided into 6 areas of expertise: Drug Development, Language and Writing, Medical Communication, Medical Devices, Medical Science and Professional Techniques.
EMWA certificates are certificates of achievement in continuing professional development. They are not an endorsement by EMWA of a person’s professional competence – that is, EMWA has not ‘certified’ the certificate holder. Holding an EMWA certificate does not entitle you to claim that you are ‘EMWA certified’ or a ‘certified medical writer’ or similar statement. Appropriate wording would be: ‘I have a foundation [an advanced] certificate from the EMWA professional development programme.
Foundation certificates
An EMWA foundation certificate is awarded for 8 credits from foundation workshops as follows:
- At least 5 foundation workshops in a single area of expertise to qualify for a specialised certificate in that area. The other credits can be obtained from workshops in any of the other areas of expertise.
- Foundation workshops in at least 2 areas of expertise, but no more than 4 workshops per area, for a multidisciplinary certificate.
You may obtain more than 1 foundation certificate after completing the appropriate requirements for each certificate. Certificates list the workshops for which credits have been obtained.
Advanced certificates
An EMWA advanced certificate is awarded for credits in any 8 different advanced workshops these include double workshops run for credit. You do not need to have a foundation certificate to register for advanced workshops.
You may obtain more than 1 advanced certificate after completing the appropriate requirements for each certificate. Certificates list the workshops for which credits have been obtained.