Assessment Practising Certificate

The BDA Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), recognises the professional achievement, training and skills of specialist teachers who have followed a suitably recognised course of study (eg. AMBDA or equivalent) and can demonstrate their knowledge and competence in both Specific Learning Difficulties and assessment. Holders are required to be Full Professional Members of the BDA. This includes demonstrating a commitment Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and to the BDA Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Practising Certificates must be renewed every 3 years. Please see APC CPD guidelines and requirements for information on the planning and maintaining of CPD as part of related professional practice. This involves regularly updating professional skills and competence through study, professional discussion, training and practice.

Holders of current SpLD Assessment Practising Certificates are listed on the SASC website [SpLD Assessment Standards Committee].

An Assessment Practising Certificate is a requirement for those who conduct assessments for those with dyslexia/SpLD for eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) for anyone in post-16 schools, colleges, universities, workplace training establishments and local authority assessment centres, (this has been effective since June 2008). The SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) was set up by the Department for Education to establish and oversee standards in the diagnostic assessment of SpLD in these settings. SASC has authorised the BDA to issue Assessment Practising Certificates.

Click here for full details of the SASC information.

It was suggested in the Rose Review (2009) that those considered qualified to assess for dyslexia/SpLD in the school setting should be those with an Assessment Practising Certificate.

APC Application routes

There are different routes to obtaining an APC depending on your qualifications:
- Route One - For those with Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) or equivalent.
- Route Two - For those with a portfolio of evidence of teaching and assessment.
- Route Three - For teachers who have a background in SpLD theory and teaching practice (but not at AMBDA level) and have completed a course specifically geared to understanding the principles of assessment.
- Route Four - For those who are interested in taking a course to learn the skills of teaching and/or assessing for SpLD/Dyslexia.

Renewal is every 3 years.

For a full breakdown of the costs of the certificate, please see our Fee Schedule.
For further details:
E-mail: accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk.
Call the Accreditation Department on 01344 38 1560
Or write to: Accreditation Department, British Dyslexia Association, Unit 8 Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell, RG12 7BW.