After you apply

What happens during assessment, how you receive the decision and what is expected of you once you are registered.

1. Your documents are checked

The RCT checks your documents first. Assessment can begin only once everything is complete and correct, so respond promptly if the RCT asks for corrections or missing evidence.

Once you have provided all of the correct documents, your application is added to the waiting list. To keep the process fair for everyone, the RCT does not expedite applications or prioritise one application over another.

For equivalence applications, once your documents are complete and assessors are available, the RCT emails your proposers to confirm their support.

The RCT then collects your application fee by direct debit 10 days after processing it, and emails you the collection date.

Read the assessment times.

2. Assessors review your application

Every application is considered individually. Two assessors review each equivalence application, one of them as lead assessor. They have 28 days from the date the application is allocated to them. They may identify gaps in your evidence or invite you to a professional review.

3. You receive the outcome

If you are successful, you receive a registration certificate and your name is added to the online register. Your first registration period runs for 12 months from your registration date.

If your equivalence application does not yet meet the standards, you receive the assessors’ detailed feedback and have 3 months to send additional evidence to enquiries@therct.org.uk. You do not need to make a new application. If the standards are still not met after this, the application is rejected. You can reapply once you have addressed the shortfall.