Equivalence route

The equivalence route assesses whether your education, training and experience meet the RCT’s professional standards. You demonstrate this through your own portfolio of evidence.

Read the Scopes of Practice (PDF) and Good Scientific Practice (PDF) alongside your specialist evidence standards.

Before preparing your portfolio

You must be based in the UK and meet the full criteria for your scope of practice. Applicants without a degree must hold a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above and demonstrate degree-level practice. A qualification alone does not establish eligibility.

If you trained overseas, read the additional qualification and language requirements. If you are completing an approved training scheme, the RCT recommends completing it and applying through the primary route.

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is an organised collection of evidence from your own work. It shows how you meet the required standards. The evidence matrix identifies where each criterion is addressed.

Documents to prepare

• Health and conduct declaration
  Complete the declaration. Read the form’s guidance on what must be disclosed. Declaration of health and conduct (PDF).
• References form
  Have your referees sign the form; check the referee requirements. See referee requirements. References form (PDF).
• Academic qualifications form
  Complete the form. Academic qualifications form (Word).
• Education and training certificates
  PDF copies, initialled by your referees.
• Current CV
  Include your education, training and employment history.
• Organisation chart
  Show your role; obtain referee initials.
• Current job description
  Every page must be initialled by your referees.
• Portfolio of evidence
  One indexed document with page numbers, demonstrating the full criteria.
• Evidence matrix
  Both referees must initial every line on every page.
• Declaration on AI use
  Read the policy and provide the required declaration. Policy on the use of AI (PDF).
• Overseas evidence, if applicable
  If you trained overseas, check the qualification and English language requirements.

Prepare your evidence

1. Select the RCT standards and matrix for the main scope of your role.
2. Address every criterion, including relevant areas outside your everyday work.
3. Use evidence of your own practice and remove patient-identifiable information.
4. Present the portfolio as one document with an index and page numbers.
5. Complete the matrix and obtain the required referee initials.

Portfolios may be checked for plagiarism. Read Policy on the use of AI (PDF) and include the required declaration.