Proposers and signatures

Ask your proposers early, so your documents are signed and ready when you apply.

Proposers are the people supporting your application. Some RCT forms, including the References form, use the word ‘referee’.

Choose people who know your work

You need two proposers who can comment on the scope and level of your professional practice. Friends and relatives are not acceptable.

Across your two proposers, two conditions must be met: one must be your current line manager or head of department, and at least one must hold relevant professional registration, for example RCT, HCPC, EngC, GMC or NMC. One person can meet both conditions. If your proposer holds a registration that is not listed, the RCT reviews it on a case-by-case basis. A proposer with another professional status should record it on the form.

Both proposers must work in roles related to yours, so that they can reasonably comment on your capability. A proposer who does not hold registration must still be in a clearly relevant role.

Both proposers must be based in the UK. The RCT does not accept proposers based outside the UK. If you work in Northern Ireland but live in the Republic of Ireland, or your references to date are all from the Republic of Ireland, contact the RCT and this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Read the References form (PDF) for the full requirements and the statement of support.

Applying from outside the UK

If you are applying from abroad with a confirmed UK job, one proposer must be your prospective line manager or head of department. The other must be UK-based and able to comment on your scope and level of practice.

I am seeking work or have a job offer

If you do not have a current employer, a former employer can act as a proposer. If you have a job offer, your prospective line manager or head of department acts as a proposer. For the equivalence route, also send a signed copy of your job description with your application. Contact the RCT if you cannot meet these requirements.

Use the right signature for each document

All signatures and initials must be handwritten. Digital, typed or electronically inserted signatures are not accepted and will delay your application. The documents that need signing differ between the two routes.