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Training and authorisation

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Official Controls Qualification (Animal Health Paraprofessionals) training
Approvals and authorisation
Revalidation
Extensions and Exceptions to the Requirements

Official Controls Qualification (Animal Health Paraprofessionals) training

Delivery of the training for APHA’s Official Controls Qualification (Animal Health Paraprofessional), OCQ(AHP) is contracted to a training provider, currently Improve International.

There are two qualifications for AHPs :

  • OCQ(AHP) - ATT (Approved Tuberculin Tester)
  • OCQ(AHP) - CSO (Certification Support Officer)

Contact Improve International for all requests for OCQ(AHP) training or revalidation:

Approvals and authorisation

Administration of AHP authorisations and approvals is managed centrally by APHA’s OV team.

APHA will be notified automatically by Improve International once your registration and training is complete and will complete your authorisation for AHP status. This can take up to ten working days.

Once successful, you will be notified by email. For CSOs, APHA will send your CSO stamp to you, in most cases to your main practice address.

To discuss any matters relating to your authorisation and approval as an Animal Health Paraprofessional contact APHA’s OV team:

Email: csconehealthovteam@apha.gov.uk
Tel: 03000 200 301
Fax: 01905 768 649

APHA OV Team
County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP

Revalidation

Authorisation as an AHP can only be maintained by revalidation of the qualification. For ATTs this is required two years after the initial authorisation and thereafter every four years. For CSOs it is every four years.

Failure to revalidate by the deadline will result in suspension of the authorisation. However the qualification can be revalidated at any time during the six month period immediately following the deadline in order to have the authorisation reinstated. If the qualification is not revalidated within the six month period, the authorisation will be expired and it will be necessary to complete the full training course in order to become authorised.

For more information about the revalidation process, visit the Improve International website.

Extensions and Exceptions to the Training Requirements

There are certain circumstances where it may not be possible to complete the OCQ(AHP) revalidation within the specified deadline. For the OCQ(AHP) – ATT there may be good reason why it is not possible to complete the training requirements within the period of conditional authorisation. In both cases it may be possible to have an extension to your deadline.

For further information about an extension to the revalidation deadline, please see the guidance on the Requests for Extension or Exceptions from the Official Controls Qualification (OCQ) Training and Revalidation Requirements (TR588) application form.

This must be used to apply to the APHA OV Team if you think you may be eligible for an extension or an exemption to the requirements.

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Sam OV support

For queries about using Sam or the initial registration process please contact the Sam support desk on:

03300 416999
Email Sam support desk