Level A and Level B Training Restructure Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why is the BPS changing things? A: The new qualification aims to be closer to the standards agreed to by the European Federation of Psychologists Association (EFPA). The new qualification is being introduced on the 1st February 2012. Those who have attained the Occupational Testing Qualifications will be eligible to apply to the BPS to be entered on the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU). For more information on the new qualification, please contact the British Psychological Society. Q: Who will be affected? A: These changes will have an effect on all who have completed or are currently completing their Level A or Level B training. Likewise it will affect all who wish to attend Level A or Level B training in the future. Q: What happens to my existing Level A and Level B qualification? A: The BPS will transfer you to the new system automatically provided you have a BPS Level A and/ or Level B certificate, and are on the Register of Competence in Occupational Testing (RCOT), and you have maintained your annual subscription. The BPS should contact you about this, provided they have access to your current contact details. You may want to inform the BPS if your contact details have changed since obtaining your Level A or Level B certificate [BPS Psychological Testing Centre: 0116 2529530]. Q: What is the name of the new testing qualification? What sort of changes will be made to the new system? A: The new testing qualification can be broken into 3 certified courses. Firstly, the Assistant Test User certified course trains in test administration and is a one-day course. The Test User Ability course is similar to the Level A training and is a week long course with a particular focus on ability/aptitude testing. The Test User Personality course is similar in structure to the Level B training course and focuses on Personality testing. It is not a prerequisite to be trained in ability testing before being trained in personality assessment as was the case with Level A and Level B. The highest level of certification is the Specialist in Test Use, and this involves being certified in Test User Ability, Test User Personality and in at least 3 additional personality assessments. PCL are currently working alongside the BPS to make changes to our existing training programs and we aim to have the new training programs running by early 2012. Q: I have previously completed a conversion course on the HPI/MVPI/HDS/EQi with PCL. Will my previous test qualifications be recognised under the new system? A: Any qualifications received after completing a conversion course are valid and recognised by us. In order for the BPS to recognise your qualifications and upgrade your accreditation you will Copyright Š 2011 Psychological Consultancy Ltd
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Level A and Level B Training Restructure Frequently Asked Questions need to be on the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU). If you are not on the Register, it is necessary that you contact Psychological Consultancy Ltd. or whichever test publisher awarded your Level A and B qualifications and so that you can be verified. Q: I have previously attained my Level A and/or Level B Certification, however I never went on the BPS Register, or I have not maintained my subscription on the Register. A: In order to be recognised as a Registered Test User you must be on the Register. To gain access to the new Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU), contact the BPS at enquiry@psychtesting. org.uk or call 0116 252 9530. Q: How can I find out whether I am presently on the BPS Register or not? A: You can check the register by going to www.psychtesting.org.uk or you can contact the BPS directly at enquiry@psychtesting.org.uk or call 0116 252 9530. Q: How does the new Register operate? A: The Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) will make explicit to others those qualifications you currently hold and those measurements you are qualified to use. Q: Is there an additional fee that I must pay? A: An annual fee of ÂŁ36.00 is required in order to be entered onto the RQTU. In order to keep your qualification, this must be paid annually. Q: When do I need to register by? A: You must get on the Register before the 4th of September 2013 in order to retain your qualifications. Following this, the BPS will not judge you to be qualified, despite having previously obtained your Level A and/or Level B certificates. In this instance you would need to re-complete your Level A and/or Level B training. Q: So do I need to do anything other than get on the new Register and pay my annual fee? A: The BPS does require that you demonstrate that you have maintained your level of competence every 6 years. This is likely to involve you keeping records of test use and any other relevant organisational development projects that you have taken part in. For more information, visit the BPS Psychological Testing Centre website at www.psychtesting.org.uk.
Copyright Š 2011 Psychological Consultancy Ltd
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