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 gateway is for experienced CRPs who can evidence a minimum of three years working at the level of practitioner and who can provide evidence of career development and experience working at practitioner level, as well as evidence of any education and learning completed.
The Experienced Practitioner Gateway was initially opened for a two-year period, with closure due for January 2025. Following a proposal agreed by the CRP Register Advisory Group, we are pleased to announce that it will now remain open till January 2026. This deadline will be further reviewed depending on the progress of the development of standardised education-based routes to registration.
In the meantime however, applicants who don’t have a degree, but do have the required amount of practitioner level experience and wish to become registered, are advised to begin their Experienced Practitioner Gateway eligibility application without delay.
If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply to the Experienced Practitioner Gateway, please refer to:
You will need to discuss your application with your line manager and colleagues to ensure you are working at the right level before starting your application.
If your Gateway application is successful, you will be able to apply to join the CRP Register, which is a separate distinct process. 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.
Experienced Practitioner Gateway Panel Dates
Please see below for information regarding the upcoming Gateway panels, this information only applies if you are undertaking route two:
| Submission date to be considered at the next panel | Experienced Practitioner Gateway panel Date |
| 13th December 2024 | 31st January 2025 |
| 25th March 2025 | 13th May 2025 |
| 17th July 2025 | 4th September 2025 |
| 9th December 2025 | 27th January 2026 |
Please note the following:
- These dates may change depending on demand for the Gateway.
- Please be aware when submitting your portfolio on or close to the deadline, if there is any information missing, this may result in your portfolio going to the next panel, we will let you know if this is the case.
Once the panel has taken place, you will hear from us within 28 days. If you receive an outcome two, you will have 28 days to amend your portfolio and resubmit. The panel with review your resubmitted application, and if passed, we will advise you.
Completing Your Application
You will need to complete and upload the following:
- Experienced Practitioner Gateway Eligibility Form
- Your current job description.
For further information please contact
If you have been in your current role for under 3 years, please can you upload your previous job description as well as your current one, this is to ensure the job descriptions cover the eligibility criteria required.
These local discussions and support are vital to ensure that you are at 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.
