Professional education

Recognition of qualifications.
14
1
For the purposes of this Act, a qualification is a “recognised qualification” if it is recognised by the General Council under this section.
2
Where the General Council is satisfied that—
a
a qualification granted by an institution in the United Kingdom is evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency, or
b
a qualification which such an institution proposes to grant will be evidence of having reached that standard,
it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, recognise that qualification for the purposes of this Act.
2A
A qualification that—
a
was granted by an institution in a relevant European State, and
b
is, in the opinion of the General Council, evidence of having reached a standard of proficiency comparable to that evidenced by a qualification recognised under subsection (2),
is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it were so recognised.
2B
The General Council may determine that a specified state qualification is not evidence of having reached a standard of proficiency comparable to that evidenced by a qualification recognised under subsection (2) only where one or more of Conditions 1 to 3 are met.
2C
Condition 1 is met where there exists a substantial difference between the standard of proficiency evidenced by the specified state qualification and the required standard of proficiency.
2D
Condition 2 is met where the professional activities to which a recognised qualification relates include one or more professional activities that cover substantially different matters from those covered by the specified state qualification.
2E
Condition 3 is met where requiring a person who holds the specified state qualification to pass an aptitude test or successfully to complete an adaptation period, or to do both, would amount to requiring the person to acquire a recognised qualification.
3
Where the General Council is satisfied that a qualification (not being one to which subsection (2A) applies) granted by an institution outside the United Kingdom is evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency, or of reaching a comparable standard, it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, recognise that qualification for the purposes of this Act.
4
The General Council may by rules—
a
impose additional conditions for registration, or
b
provide for any provision made by this Act in relation to conditions for registration to have effect subject to prescribed modifications,
in the case of any application for registration based on a person’s holding a qualification which is recognised under subsection (3).
5
The General Council shall maintain and publish a list of the qualifications which are for the time being recognised under this section.
6
Before deciding whether or not to recognise a qualification under this section, the General Council shall consult the Education Committee.
7
When requesting the approval of the Privy Council for the purposes of subsection (2) or (3), the General Council shall make available to the Privy Council—
a
the information provided to it by the Education Committee; or
b
where the Privy Council considers it appropriate, a summary of that information.
8
The Privy Council shall have regard to the information made available to it under subsection (7) before deciding whether or not to give its approval.
9
The General Council may by rules make provision requiring the Education Committee to publish a statement indicating—
a
matters on which the Committee will wish to be satisfied before advising the General Council to recognise a qualification under subsection (2); and
b
matters which may cause the Committee to advise the General Council not to recognise a qualification under subsection (2).
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S. 14(2A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 6(a) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 6 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 14); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Words in s. 14(3) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 6(b) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 6 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 14); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 14(10) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 6(c) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 6 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 14); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 14(11) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 6(c) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 6 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 14); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 14(2B)-(2E) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 46