Application requirements & information

Qualifications

Each profession at the HPC has its own specific criteria for assessment, which are set out in the profession specific elements of the standards of proficiency. The overarching framework applies to all professions and an applicant must satisfy the Registration Assessor in their application how they meet the benchmark Standards of proficiency. This can be demonstrated through a combination of education, training and experience gained in practise of the profession for which they are seeking registration.

Please note that although UK NARIC can be used to determine the academic level of a candidate’s qualifications, it does not relate to content of training courses. Thus a degree in a profession in one country may be of a similar academic level, whilst the subject matter is quite different. Applicants are strongly advised to give as much detail in their application as possible and get their university/college to complete the course information form.

HPC does not comment on the ability of an applicant to practice in their country of training, however, some courses are broader with less in depth coverage, and others are more detailed but have a narrower scope. Significant experience may make up for shortfalls in training.

HPC assessors make their determinations based on all of the information that you provide. Please remember to provide as much relevant detail as possible.

English proficiency

The ability to communicate effectively in English is critical to working effectively as a health professional in the UK. Consequently, we can ask you for information about your ability to use English. We will always do this for international applicants unless:

English is your first language
you are exempt from a requirement to demonstrate your English language abilities, either by virtue of being an EEA national or for another reason
If English is not your first language you will be required to sit an English proficiency test.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The IELTS can provide descriptions of the scoring system it uses, and some of this information is available on its website. The test can be taken in 180 centres in 110 countries. For further information, contact the British Council offices in your own country, or write to the British Council Information Centre, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6BB, United Kingdom.

Please note that we require you to take the ‘Academic’ test and not the ‘General’ test.

Please see the table below for the English language proficiency tests that we accept:

* Speech and language therapists: this Standard applies to both EEA and International applicants.This requirement is higher for speech and language therapists than for all other professions, as communication in English is a core professional skill (see 2b.4 of the standards of proficiency).

Translations

Our best practice policy for translations is for applicants to follow one of these two routes:

Get your documentation officially translated. We recommend that you go to your local consulate for advice on finding an official translation. This is our preferred option as it guarantees a good copy of the documents.

Alternatively, you can translate documentation yourself, but you must get this sworn by a lawyer, Justice of the Peace, or a solicitor, as being an authentic version of the original.

Refugee applications

You do not have to pay the application scrutiny fee if you fall into one of the following categories:

a) You have refugee status

b) You have exceptional leave to remain (granted before April 2003)

c) You have humanitarian leave to remain (granted on or after 1st April 2003)

d) You have discretionary leave to remain (granted on or after 1st April 2003)

You will need to send us a home office letter with your application which confirms that you have refugee status or leave to remain as detailed above.

You need to try and provide as much information as possible with your application. If you are unable to provide all the information you need to (maybe because the documentation has been destroyed or because you are unable to obtain it), you will need to include a letter which explains this.

Please contact the International/Grandparenting team between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on telephone: 0207 840 9804 or on our lo-call number: 0845 3004720

For Refugee Allied Health Professionals seeking advice and information on how to find jobs, gain experience and other useful assistance the following Department of Health sponsered website is a useful tool:

www.rose.nhs.uk

Download 'A guide for refugee Allied Health Professionals and Healthcare Scientists seeking employment in the UK '

EEA information

If you are applying for registration with the HPC, and you trained abroad, but you are an EEA applicant, you can find information about your application on this page. The HPC is the competent authority for 13 Health Professions in the United Kingdom.

To make your application, you will need to fill in the International registration

The definition of an EEA applicant is someone who can prove nationality (i.e. citizenship) and a right to practise in another EEA country. A list of EEA countries is below for your reference. You can also demonstrate an acquired right through marriage and educational qualifications. For more details please contact the UK Government co-ordinator at the Department for Innovation, University and Skills: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/europeopen/uktoeu/country_25.shtml

The professions regulated by the HPC fall under the Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, details of which can be found at this website. This means that you do not have an automatic right to registration in the UK but will need to complete the registration process.

USEFUL LINKS:

If you are looking to confirm a competent authority for regulation of other Professionals please see the following link:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/europeopen/eutouk/eutouk_search_form.shtml

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/future_en.htm

This link contains information relating to the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications. This Directive consolidated and modernised 15 existing Directives (including the General System Directives and the Services Directive).

THE EEA COUNTRIES:

Member States of European Union:

• France
• Germany
• Belgium
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• UK
• Ireland
• Spain
• Portugal
• Greece
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Italy
• Austria
• Finland
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Romania
• Bulgaria

Countries that complete the EEA:

• Norway
• Switzerland
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein