Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning

APCL gives recognition to prior learning which has been formally assessed by an educational body and for which a certificate has been awarded; this process helps avoid duplication of assessment for individuals undertaking RCPharm credentialing.

RCPharm will consider accreditation of prior certified learning applications by applying the following APCL Principles:

• APCL will not be awarded for high-stakes outcomes for enhanced, advanced or consultant level credentials¹. All individuals undertaking the credentialing programme will have to demonstrate achievement of all high-stakes curriculum outcomes.
• APCL learning may only be awarded to exempt individuals from assessment medium-stakes and low-stakes outcomes.
• APCL requests must be relevant, authentic, and valid.
• APCL requests must be at the equivalent level of performance as described by the curriculum outcomes in each curriculum’s programme of learning.
• Patient safety must never be compromised.

What does RCPharm accept as certified learning?

Certified learning includes learning that is provided, assessed, and certified by an educational organisation or education provider. This includes but is not limited to: universities & higher education institutions, statutory education providers (e.g. PSD Scotland, HEIW, NHSE WTE, NICPLD) or any other non-credit awarding education provider (e.g. CPPE or similar).

Any certified learning presented for APCL must have included a robust, independent assessment and the training provider must be able to provide evidence of this (e.g. details of learning outcomes, assessment criteria, relevant course descriptors or handbook). If the certified learning does not award academic credits, the training provider may be asked for additional details or evidence of the assessment methodology.

Which outcomes are considered high stakes and why can’t these be exempted?

Within each of the RCPharm curricula, each curriculum outcome has an associated stakes rating (low, medium or high). This is shown in the assessment blueprint of each curriculum document.

As part of the curriculum development process, RCPharm asked independent experts to rate each outcome’s potential risk to patient safety. High stakes outcomes were those with the most potential to lead to significant harm for patients or the public and, therefore, needed a higher level of risk mitigation.

This higher level of risk means RCPharm is unable to offer APCL for high stakes outcomes for enhanced, core advanced and consultant credentials².

Candidates who have previously gathered evidence and/or undertaken assessment closely aligned to RCPharm high stakes outcomes, can recycle and upload this into their portfolio for re-assessment.

1. The only exception to this is exemption of high-stakes outcomes in the RCPharm post-registration foundation curriculum exempted through completion of a GPhC-accredited independent prescribing qualification.

2. APCL is only available for high-stakes outcomes in the post-registration foundation credentialing assessment because this currently aligns to the GPhC-regulated independent prescribing qualification.

When applying for APCL, training providers should become familiar with the application process to ensure that the correct documentation is provided and certified learning outcomes are mapped correctly.

APCL application process

How to apply

Applications for APCL will be by submission using the relevant level of APCL application form:

• APCL TP enhanced application form (excel)
• APCL TP PRF application form (excel)
• APCL core advanced application form (excel)
• APCL TP consultant pharmacists application form (excel)

Who can submit an APCL application?

Only UK-based universities and training providers may submit APCL applications. Individual candidates are no longer able to apply directly to RCPharm.

The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

• A completed APCL application form.
• Course or module learning outcomes.
• Assessment criteria.
• Course/module handbook or programme descriptors (where applicable).
• A purchase order.

APCL application fee

The APCL application fee is £450 for a review of up to 60 credits, which are aligned against one RCPharm curriculum learning outcomes.

This includes:

• APCL awarded against a 60-credit qualification.
• APCL awarded against any modules making up this qualification.

This fee structure was revised following feedback from the Pharmacy Schools Council (PhSC) and approved by the RCPharm Education and Standards Committee.

How does payment work?

• A purchase order must be submitted with the application.
• The RCPharm finance team will issue an invoice.
• Applications will only be processed once payment has been received.

What should training providers consider when completing an APCL application?

Training providers should ensure that:

• They are familiar with the relevant RCPharm curriculum (Enhanced – link to be added soon, PRF, Core Advanced, or Consultant).
• Learning outcomes and assessment strategies are closely aligned in wording, level, and intent.
• Learning outcomes are described at a “does” level of practice.
• The required sphere of influence (e.g. team or organisational level) is demonstrated.
• The level of complexity is appropriate.
• Mapping is applied to low and medium stakes outcomes.
• No partial exemptions are requested.

APCL application checklist

• Complete APCL application form (enhanced, PRF, core advanced, consultant pharmacist).
• Upload supporting documents.
• Submit a purchase order – use organisation purchase order format.
• Complete submission process by sending your application to [email protected].

Who will review the APCL application?

Trained RCPharm APCL reviewers who are part of RCPharm governance committees.

The APCL review process will consider:

• Curriculum level of practice learning outcomes and stakes ratings that exemptions have been applied for.
• Course or module learning outcomes.
• Course or module assessment (‘Does’ level).

What are the possible outcomes?

• APCL exemption granted against outcomes that fully align to the curriculum learning outcomes.
• APCL exemption not granted to learning outcomes that do not fully align to RCPharm curriculum learning outcomes.

Directory of APCL exemptions

Certified learning granted APCL exemptions will be added to our directory of APCL exemptions.

Can APCL be awarded for high-stakes curriculum outcomes?

No. In line with RCPharm assessment principles:

• APCL exemptions cannot be granted for high-stakes outcomes.
• All candidates must demonstrate achievement of high-stakes outcomes at point of credentialing, regardless of prior learning.
• Learning undertaken relevant to high-stakes outcomes as part of courses or qualification can be uploaded for direct assessment at point of credentialing.

Can exemptions apply across different levels of practice?

Yes, where appropriate.

• APCL exemptions apply to learning outcomes, not full curriculum domains.
• If a higher-level learning outcome fully maps to an equivalent lower-level outcome, an exemption may be applied.
• Universities must clearly identify and justify such equivalence in their application.
• Partial exemptions are not permitted.

When applying for APCL, should the training provider include examples of the work their students have completed as part of the programme assessment?

No. The APCL reviewers will not review or consider the quality or level of the candidate’s original work. The APCL process only takes account of the certified learning outcomes against the RCPharm curricula i.e. the learning for which the education provider is providing assurance. Any APCL exemptions approved for a course or programme will apply to any learner who has completed the same course or programme and are therefore not specifically linked to the individual or their work.

When will the training provider receive the APCL outcome?

Training providers will receive the APCL outcome within 8 weeks of receiving your APCL request.

How will a training provider be informed of the APCL outcome?

The key contact person at the training provider will be emailed an APCL confirmation letter that outlines the exemptions that have been awarded.

What happens if RCPharm reviews or updates its curricula?

RCPharm curricula are reviewed after the first year of launch and then every 3–5 years.

• If curriculum outcomes remain unchanged following review, no further APCL submission is required.
• If substantial curriculum changes occur, RCPharm will work with the Pharmacy Schools Council to agree a proportionate solution.

What if a university or training provider changes its learning outcomes?

If a university makes substantial changes to its course or module learning outcomes, the APCL application must be resubmitted to RCPharm.

Does the university need to use RCPharm supervised learning event (SLE) tools?

No.

• The APCL process is not an accreditation exercise.
• RCPharm does not undertake an in-depth review of university assessment strategies as part of the process.
• RCPharm focuses on learning outcome alignment and uses the assessment strategy to seek maximum exemption opportunities.

Will candidates still have access to RCPharm ePortfolio and SLE tools?

Yes.

• Candidates engaging with core advanced or consultant curricula will have access to the RCPharm ePortfolio and corresponding SLE tools.
• For post-registration foundation and enhanced, access to the e-portfolio and SLE tools will depend on access through procurement of license via national commissions or through individual organisations.

Candidate routes to APCL exemptions

There are two routes to obtain APCL exemption by candidates:

Route 1

Is the APCL for RCPharm Faculty?

Automatic exemptions are available if you have previously undertaken an RCPharm Faculty assessment. Within the advanced and consultant curricula the automatic exemptions based on your level of achievement in faculty are provided in the APCL section.

To have the automatic exemptions applied, send an email attaching your RCPharm Faculty outcome report to [email protected]. Make sure you are clear about which credential you are applying for. You will then receive an exemption letter to map to your eportfolio.

Route 2

Is the APCL request already an approved course on the RCPharm APCL directory?

Check to see if the certified learning you have completed has already been approved for automatic APCL by reviewing the RCPharm APCL directory.

If the course or programme is on the directory, e-mail [email protected] with evidence you have completed the APCL exempted programme. You will then receive an exemption letter to map to your e-portfolio.

How do I upload my APCL exemptions onto the e-portfolio?

Once you receive your APCL exemption confirmation letter, upload this to your portfolio and map it to the outcomes for which you have been granted exemption. You do not need to map any other evidence to the outcome(s) for which you are exempt; assessors are advised not to review any outcomes where an exemption has been granted.

Can I seek APCL for programmes I have not yet completed?

If you are undertaking learning with multiple assessment points (e.g. PG Diploma or MSc), you can get exemptions for module(s) that you have completed and have been assessed against. You will be required to submit evidence of the successful completion of the module assessment to gain the APCL exemption.

If you are part way through a programme/or module and have not yet been assessed, you cannot get the APCL exemption.

• APCL application forms for each level of practice (enhanced, PRF, core advanced, consultant pharmacist).
• Enhanced curriculum
• Post registration foundation curriculum
• Core advanced curriculum
• Consultant curriculum
• Privacy policy