ⓘ The process for international applications has recently changed. This page now reflects the current process and outcomes. Read more about the changes >
What happens at this stage of the process?
If your application is complete, we'll assess your regulated education and training and any other relevant education, training or experience. This step runs alongside the verification checks.
Your application will be sent to two assessors from the part of the Register you are applying to join. They'll consider all of the information you've submitted before making their recommendation to us.
First, they'll compare your regulated education and training with our standards of proficiency. If they identify shortfalls, they'll consider whether these have been accounted for through any other relevant education, training or experience. Then, they will send a recommendation to us. We will review this recommendation and send our decision to you.
The decision you'll receive is referred to as your 'first decision'. This could be that you're accepted onto the Register, that your application is refused, or that the assessors require you to undertake a test of competence.
More information about the 'first decision'
Please note that we will only base our decision on the information provided in the application. We won’t contact referees, training institutions or employers to obtain further information about your training or work experience.
How will we make decisions using the evidence you provide in support of your application?
Our assessors will determine the comparability of your qualifications and experience to the standards of proficiency based on the quality of the evidence you provide.
You can include any evidence you feel is relevant as part of your application to join the HCPC Register. However, it is important for you to understand that certain types of supporting evidence will be given more weight in our assessment process than others.
We consider evidence of formal qualifications and training to be particularly helpful in enabling us to make an informed registration decision. This evidence needs to be authenticated and verified for us to properly consider it.
Evidence based on testimonials, professional references, case studies and practice logbooks (or similar sources to demonstrate what you have done in practice) does not provide us with the same level of assurance. Whilst these sources of evidence may provide insight to the assessors’ findings, we are unlikely to conclude that they as evidence alone satisfy any gaps to the standards of proficiency which have been identified during our assessment of your application.
This may mean that we ask that you sit a test of competence to address any outstanding gaps or that we refuse your application.
In all instances, we will provide you with reasons for decisions reached and identify the evidence we have considered in reaching an assessment outcome.
What is a test of competence?
The test of competence is a dialogue-based assessment, which allows you to demonstrate your professional competence, clinical reasoning, and understanding of UK-specific practice contexts.
Full information about the test of competence
How long does this part of the process take?
At the moment, it takes us 4 to 5 months to assess your application and send you a first decision, following the receipt of your complete application. We usually aim to give a response within 3 months.
What happens next?
You'll receive an update by email including the first decision when we've reviewed the recommendation from the assessors.
