Apply for Equivalence
To be eligible to apply for Equivalence, you need to be living in the UK and currently employed in the UK at the appropriate level, and have a minimum of 3 years service.
It is strongly recommended that you read the guidance documents on our website to check eligibility and also consult the appropriate curriculum to check your skills and knowledge match those of a graduate on the relevant programme so that you can ensure you have the required evidence to complete your portfolio before applying.
Please note: Applicants currently enrolled on either the NSHCS HSS, STP or PTP Training Programmes may not apply concurrently for Equivalence with the AHCS.
If you are eligible to apply for equivalence, you first need to create a Profile.
Within your Profile you can then apply for:
STP Equivalence
HSS Equivalence
PTP Equivalence
Certificate of Competence
The Academy for Healthcare Science provides assessment of the equivalence of applicant’s existing qualifications, training, and experience against the appropriate AHCS Standards and the learning outcomes contained in the relevant National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) training programme.
When a person provides evidence that they have the knowledge, skills and competence comparable to someone completing the applicable NSHCS programme, they are issued with a Certificate of Equivalence. This certificate confers eligibility to apply for appropriate registration e.g. statutory registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist, or registration with the Academy as a Practitioner or a Higher Specialist Scientist.
GENETIC COUNSELLOR STP EQUIVALENCE APPLICATIONS
STP equivalence applicants currently on the AHCS Register who previously completed and maintained their AHCS Registration through the Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board (GCRAB previously GCRB) must use the STP Certificate of Equivalence with GCRAB RPL Mapping Template as part of their application. This template is a Recognition of Prior Learning through the assessment of the GCRAB portfolio. Applicants will be required to include their GCRAB certificate as well as their MSc certificate for eligibility to STP Equivalence using the RPL Template.
For more information and support, Registered Genetic Counsellors should review the GCRAB website (www.gcrab.org/genetic-counsellor) for information about drop in sessions.
