The professional association of teachers of students with specific learning difficulties

Applying for a Practising Certificate

You must be a member of Patoss to obtain a Patoss SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate.

Details of how to apply by various routes are on this page.

It should be noted that:

• Individuals applying under Route 1 for a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment after 2008 will only be eligible if their AMBDA level qualification was issued within the last 5 years.
• If, on application after 31 December 2008, their qualification was more than 5 years old they must have done acceptable additional qualifications in SpLD assessment within the last 5 years or provide evidence of practice as an SpLD assessor within the last 5 years. Additional evidence must include a CV and a full diagnostic assessment report produced within the last 5 years. [Reports will be reviewed against current and well established best practice including the SASC Guidelines for review of APC reports.] There is a surcharge of £75 for handling these applications.
• Some teachers without an AMBDA level qualification issued in the qualifying period might be able to apply through Route 2 on APL/E. Applicants for APL/E are required to have experience in providing full diagnostic assessments over a period of 7 years prior to their application. [See further details below]

From July 2009 , SASC has increased the fee for their listing of current holders of a Practising Certificate, therefore the cost of a Practising Certificate has increased by £10.

There are several routes to gaining a Practising Certificate:

Route 1:

You must hold a post-graduate qualification in SpLD teaching and assessment. Those meeting the requirements for AMBDA, for Full Membership of Patoss or the equivalent are suitable. These qualifications require evidence of observed practical application of skills in teaching and assessment. In addition qualifications which have been approved by SASC [SpLD Assessment Standards Committee] are suitable. See Courses Leading to a Practising Certificate.

It should be noted that:

• Individuals applying under Route 1 for a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment after 2008 will only be eligible if their AMBDA level qualification was issued within the last 5 years .
• If, on application after 31 December 2008, their qualification was more than 5 years old they must have done acceptable additional qualifications in SpLD assessment within the last 5 years or provide evidence of practice as an SpLD assessor within the last 5 years. Additional evidence must include a CV and a full diagnostic assessment report produced within the last 5 years. [Reports will be reviewed against current and well established best practice including the SASC Guidelines for review of APC reports.]
• Some teachers without an AMBDA level qualification issued in the qualifying period might be able to apply through Route 2 on APL/E.

Use this application form for Route 1: Application for PractisingCertificate - Route 1.

Route 2: Applying via APL/E

Applicants are required to have experience in providing full diagnostic assessments over a period of 7 years prior to their application. Individuals must supply evidence to demonstrate they have competencies noted on Assessment Practising Certificate Checklist of Competencies.

Evidence must include records related to 3 separate diagnostic assessments, demonstrating the ability to assess students/pupils from different learning situations who present different patterns of ability and difficulty. Diagnostic reports submitted in support of APCs will be reviewed against current and well established best practice including the SASC Guidelines. These records should comprise:

• logs related to each assessment showing the ability to plan an assessment, liaise with others as appropriate and choose appropriate assessment materials
• diagnostic assessment reports (linked to each assessment carried out) showing the ability to present a professional report; score tests correctly; interpret data from tests used; give an overview of pupils' strengths and difficulties; suggest relevant learning support (see Assessment Report Checklist, below)
• video/dvd evidence of two of the 3 assessments conducted by the applicant, with supporting documentation such as score sheets, records of observations.

e) A statement of support from two relevant professionals with recognised standing and experience in the area of assessment (e.g. SENCo, Learning Support Manager, Educational Psychologist).

f) A signed statement that the applicant agrees to work within current legislation and guidance relating to SpLD which is relevant to the particular phase of education in which s/he is involved.

g) A signed statement that the applicant has read the Code of Ethics of the professional body and agrees to abide by it

h) Payment of £175 to cover processing application then, successful applicants will be eligible to apply for their Practising Certificate. An additional £90 is required for the issue of Practising Certificate, valid for 3 years. Membership must be applied for separately and the fee will depend on type of membership selected, see Patoss membership types and fees.

Use this application form for Applying for a PC via APL/APE Route 2: Application for PC via APL/APE