An Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) is required in order to conduct an assessment for those with dyslexia/ SpLD and for them to obtain a  Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). The Rose Review (June 2009) recommended that teachers undertaking specialist teacher diagnostic assessments should obtain an APC.
There are different routes to obtaining an APC depending on your qualifications. Please see How can I obtain a SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate? below.

To find out more about obtaining your Assessment Practising Certificate in Assessment for SpLD follow the links below.

What is an Assessment Practising Certificate?
Why do I need an Assessment Practising Certificate?
How do I obtain an Assessment Practising Certificate or renew one I already hold?

What is an Assessment Practising Certificate?

An Assessment Practising Certificate entitles the holder to assess students for eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs).

It is issued in recognition that you have the relevant specialist knowledge about dyslexia/SpLD, and have experience and competence in assessment. The Department for Education requires that teachers and others who undertake specialist assessments are competent and qualified to do so.

An Assessment Practising Certificate is issued for a period of three years by the Dyslexia Guild. It is a requirement to maintain your membership of the Dyslexia Guild throughout the 3 years covered by the Assessment Practising Certificate.
To renew your certificate you will have to demonstrate that your knowledge and skills are being kept up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Dyslexia Action provides CPD and training courses to enable you to do this through professional discussion, training and practice.

Why do I need an Assessment Practising Certificate?

You are required to have an APC if you carry out assessments for Disabled Students' Allowances for anyone in post-16 schools, colleges, universities, workplace training establishments and local authority assessment centres, from June 2008 onwards.

Currently an APC is required for assessments for Disabled Students' Allowances, but it is anticipated that it may acquire a wider currency for assessment generally eg special examination access arrangements.  Click here for changes to Exam Access Arrangements.

Many organisations now require their current staff to obtain a Practising Certificate as it recognises that they have the knowledge, skills and competence to assess the detailed needs of individuals studying or training, who need financial and other support.

Assessment Practising Certificates are issued for a period of three years by the Dyslexia Guild, the professional body of Dyslexia Action. It is a requirement to maintain your membership of the Dyslexia Guild throughout the 3 years covered by the APC. 
To renew your APC you will have to demonstrate that your knowledge and skills are being kept up-to-date through CPD.

Dyslexia Action provides CPD and training courses to enable you to do this through professional discussion, training and practice.

The Department for Education set up the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) to establish and oversee standards in the diagnostic assessment of SpLD in an educational setting. The committee seeks to extend the principles of good practice contained in the Guidelines across all age ranges and throughout the profession. SASC has authorised Dyslexia Action, via the Dyslexia Guild, to issue Assessment Practising Certificates.

To view the full SASC information please click here.

If you still have a query, email guild@dyslexiaaction.org.uk or Telephone 01784 222 342.

How can I obtain an Assessment Practising Certificate or renew one I already hold?

There are four 'routes' to achievement of an APC. You may already be qualified or you may require further training. Dyslexia Action can fulfil all your training and evaluation needs. Currently Routes One, Two and Three are available. Route Four describes the steps you need to take if you are new to the dyslexia/SpLD sector and you need advice on how to train to teach and assess from scratch.

Route One  For those with Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) or equivalent. Click here for further details.

Route Two  For those with a portfolio of evidence of teaching and assessment. Click here for further details.

Route Three  For teachers who have a background in SpLD theory and teaching practice (but not at AMBDA level) and have completed a course specifically geared to understanding the principles of assessment. Click here for further details.

Route Four  If you are new to the dyslexia/SpLD sector and wish to train to teach and assess. Click here for further details.

Renewing an Assessment Practising Certificate  For information about renewing your APC, please click here.

If you still have a query, email guild@dyslexiaaction.org.uk or Telephone 01784 222 342.