Book excerpt: Portfolios are a tool of increasing significance across the health professions in meeting the demands of contemporary regulation of professional competence. "Professional Portfolios: Evidence of Competency for Nurses and Midwives" is the first book written specifically for the Australian and New Zealand market that demonstrates the relationship between portfolios and regulation. The book offers background information on the need for and benefits of portfolios and a range of approaches and formats to communicate progress towards education for entry to practice for students of midwifery and nursing programs, continuing professional development, performance review, renewal of practice certificates and career review and planning. A key strength of this book is the way it facilitates an understanding about the rationales in portfolio design and the integration of the relevant professional standards. The book addresses the concept of evidence and examines its role in making claims to achievement of competence and learning. A further strength is the inclusion of the potential for portfolios to assist with performance review and career planning, making this book a useful resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, practicing clinicians and educators.