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How to become a Dyslexia/Dyscalculia assessor and APC renewal

APC renewal

An Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) is valid for three years and needs to be renewed at the end of this 3 years. A renewal can take up to 16 weeks, if the first report doesn't meet the SASC standard for an APC. Applications should not be sent in any earlier than 16 weeks before the renewal date.

To renew an APC with the BDA

The BDA follows the SASC guidelines for APC renewal, as does PATOSS and The Dyslexia Guild.

Where a first APC was issued before 1st September 2018, applicants should:

  • submit a full, anonymised Diagnostic Assessment report written within 18 months of renewal to SASC guidelines. The submitted Diagnostic Assessment report must be your own independent work that has not been submitted to any other APC awarding organisation (Dyslexia Action/PATOSS).
  • submit the APC Renewal Form and CPD Log showing evidence of a minimum of 20 hours CPD across the previous three years. Your CPD log should provide evidence of the following five areas. At least 5 of these hours should cover C1 and C2 which are SASC approved CPD entry must be accompanied by the correct date of the course, its correct title and the relevant SASC reference which can be found on the certificate of attendance
  • C1 principles of psychometrics, statistics, assessment and underlying theory
  • C2 SpLD testing methods, interpretation and test materials
  • a minimum of 15 hours (supplementary), may contain more of C1 and C2, above, in addition to
  • S1 changes in regulations and legislation relating to SpLDs
  • S2 developments in SpLD research
  • S3 approaches to teaching and support for SpLD
  • CPD can be a combination of formal CPD, e.g. attendance at conferences, training and informal training, e.g. your own study, training delivered to colleagues.
  • SASC approved mentoring is recommended as part of your CPD.
  • copies of CPD certificates should be submitted
  • maintain Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) for the duration of the APC
  • agree to adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics
  • pay the renewal fee of £210 which includes £30 to update SASC list of APC holders

Where a first APC was issued after 1st September 2018 applicants should, for their first renewal:

  • submit a full, anonymised Diagnostic Assessment report written within 18 months of the renewal date to SASC guidelines
  • submit an APC Renewal Form and CPD Log showing evidence of at least 10 hours CPD each year, to include 5 hours of SASC approved training each year. A CPD log should show evidence of a minimum of 5 hours SASC approved core training each year in the five areas below;
    • C1 - principles of psychometrics, statistics, assessment and underlying theory
    • C2 - SpLD testing methods, interpretation and test materials
  • All SASC approved CPD entries must have the correct date of the course, the correct course title and SASC reference which will be on the attendance certificate.
  • The remaining supplementary CPD, may contain more of C1 and C2, in addition to
    • S1 - changes in regulations and legislation relating to SpLDs
    • S2 - developments in SpLD research
    • S3 - approaches to teaching and support for SpLD
  • CPD covering Exam Access Arrangements can only be used as 5 hours SASC approved CPD across the 3-year period.
  • CPD can be a combination of formal CPD, e.g. attending conferences, training courses and informal training, e.g. your own study, and training delivered to colleagues.
  • SASC approved mentoring is recommended as part of your CPD.
  • CPD which covers the principles of psychometrics, statistics and underlying theory of SpLD testing methods.
  • Copies of certificates should be submitted
  • maintain Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) for the duration of the APC
  • agree to and adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics
  • pay the renewal fee of £210 this includes £30 to update the SASC list of APC holders and SASC membership.
  • These links may be useful:

Please note that if you have previously held an APC, with any issuing body, and your APC has lapsed, you should renew through the appropriate renewal route above.

Renewing an APC for the 4th time (5th APC)

Assessors who have demonstrated excellent professional practice by renewing their APC three times, are not required to submit a diagnostic report for their 4th renewal, which will be their 5th APC. They must still commit to CPD and submit a CPD log, meeting SASC guidelines and maintain professional membership of their professional bodies. The SASC element of this CPD should not be on Access Arrangements. CPD must be submitted on the APC Renewal Form and CPD Log, the current APC renewal fee is applicable.

Submitting your application to the BDA

Contact accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk when you are ready to submit your application, you will be sent a link to upload your documents . Please do not submit your application for renewal more than 16 weeks before the renewal date.