About the Experienced Practitioner Gateway
The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Education Committee has now approved the proposal to widen access to the Accredited Register to experienced CRPs who do not have a degree or equivalent education. The details of the new process can be found here.
The Experienced Practitioner Gateway will enable CRPs to provide evidence about their career development and experience working at practitioner level and include any education and learning they have completed.
A successful pass through the Gateway does not guarantee entry to the CRP Register, which remains a distinct process required to be completed by all applicants. A successful application to the gateway will provide the opportunity for experienced CRPs to progress to submit an application to the CRP Register in the normal way, within a given timeframe. The gateway will remain open for a two-year period only, until January 2025. It is anticipated that experienced CRPs working currently and keen to establish their personal professional registration will apply through the gateway in the timeframe allowed.
All applicants to the Experienced Practitioner Gateway are required to use the AHCS portal system. The requirements include completion and submission of this Experienced Practitioner Gateway Eligibility Form. These local discussions and support are vital to ensure that applicants have reached the level of experience required to join the AHCS Accredited Register for CRPs. The CRP Register is set at level 5 of the Skills for Health Career Framework to reflect the high level of experience, knowledge and responsibility required for practitioner roles, which normally require degree level education.
Applicants to the Gateway are also required to submit their current job description.
Experienced Practitioner Gateway
The Experienced Practitioner Gateway was launched in January 2023. The gateway is for experienced CRPs who are able to evidence that they have a minimum of three years working at the level of practitioner. All applicants to the gateway will need to discuss their intended application with their line manager and colleagues to ensure that they are working at the right level before submitting their application.
A successful application to the gateway will provide the opportunity for experienced CRPs to progress to submit an application to the CRP Register. The Registration process is the same for CRPs who have passed through the gateway as it is for their colleagues who have level 6 qualifications. Please refer to the Step-by-Step Guidance for how to complete the Experienced Practitioner Gateway application.
For further information please contact crpadmin@ahcs.ac.uk
Experienced Practitioner Gateway Panel Dates
Please see below for information regarding the upcoming Gateway panels, this information only applies to applicants undertaking route two:
- September 2023
- December 2023
- March 2024
- June 2024
- September 2024
- December 2024 *
* Please note that these dates may change depending on demand for the Gateway.
For an application to be sent to panel, the applicant would need to fulfil entry requirements fully and submit their portfolio no later than 5 weeks prior to the upcoming panel date (see guidance for criteria). This is to ensure administration checks are completed and to provide time for panellists to undertake the review. An automatic email will be sent to the applicant informing them that their application has been sent to panel.
Once the panel has taken place, the applicant will hear regarding their portfolio within 28 days of the panel meeting. When an applicant has received an outcome two, they have 28 days to amend their portfolio and resubmit, their application will be sent to one panellist for review and if passed, they’ll review an automatic confirmation email from the Academy.
