Rules and limits

The following conditions apply to all RPL applications, regardless of which category you're applying under.

No double counting

You can't count the same experience twice. Experience already recognised toward Basic Training can't be reused for Advanced Training.

Cross-program experience

If you're in dual or conjoint training, the same experience may apply toward both programs — submit a separate application for each. If you're applying for research RPL across more than one program, you only need to submit one application to the most relevant Committee.

Maximum RPL allowed

RPL can't exceed two-thirds of your total program length. This ensures the College maintains oversight of training quality and that all trainees have enough exposure to local healthcare systems.

Currency

Your experience must have been completed within 5 years of entering the training program.

Professional experience completed more than 5 years ago may still be eligible if:

• the gap was due to flexible training arrangements (part-time, parental or medical leave), and
• you can show your skills and knowledge are still current.

Research Project experience can have been completed at any time, as long as currency can be demonstrated.

Exams

RACP examinations are not eligible for RPL. This includes Divisional Written and Clinical Examinations, AFPHM Oral, AFOEM Written and Practical, AFRM Entry Phase, Fellowship Written and Clinical Examinations, and AChSHM Exit Assessment.

General questions

I've completed 2 years of Advanced Training in Cardiology and I'm starting General and Acute Care Medicine. Can I apply for RPL for my Cardiology training?

Yes. If you're changing Advanced Training programs or entering dual training, you can apply to your Training Program Committee/Training Program Subcommittee within the first 6 months of your new program to have your prior experience recognised through RPL.

What counts as an 'appropriate training site'?

The assessor will decide whether your training site is appropriate for the experience. In most cases the site needs to have a certain level of College accreditation, though some experiences — such as non-core training — may be completed at an unaccredited site in some circumstances.

Check the accreditation guidelines in your program's training requirements and the accredited settings list for your program. Contact Training Services if you're unsure.

I completed training under a College Training Program Committee last year that hasn't been certified yet. I've changed programs — can I apply for RPL for that training?

Yes, you can submit your application before the deadline. However, it won't be assessed until a certification decision has been made for that training period.

What if I didn't complete any workplace assessments during my experience?

You don't need to have completed workplace assessments — but including evidence of equivalent educational activities will strengthen your application.

If you did complete College workplace assessments during the experience, submit these with your application. If you didn't, a letter of support from a supervisor or referee can be used instead.

Letters of support must:

• be written on hospital letterhead
• describe the type of position you held
• confirm that your work or training was satisfactory
• include the dates and subspecialty of the position
• include details of any relevant accreditation held by the hospital

If you're unable to provide evidence of equivalent educational activities, the assessor may ask you to complete additional assessments before you finish your training program.

Professional experience questions 

What evidence generally strengthens a professional experience application?

Supervisor, progress or assessor reports covering the period of experience

Completed workplace-based assessments (e.g. mini-CEX, DOPS, multisource feedback, learning and observation captures)

Logbooks or records of clinical activity

Certificates of completion or formal training records

Confirmation of level of responsibility and supervision arrangements

Evidence of ongoing educational activities during the experience

Can I use overseas qualifications as evidence?

What is the limit to the amount of RPL that can be granted under Professional Experience?

• 12 months in most cases (1 phase of training)
• In exceptional circumstances up to 24 months if the experience was part of a formal specialty training program (2 phases)

What won't be considered under Professional Experience?

• The intern year (PGY1)
• PGY2, unless you couldn't have applied prospectively
• Experience taken during an interruption to RACP training
• Experience in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand before you held general registration (AHPRA or MCNZ)
• Basic Training experience completed before completing all Basic Training requirements
• RACP examinations — including Divisional Written and Clinical Examinations, AFPHM Oral, AFOEM Written and Practical, AFRM Entry Phase, Fellowship Written and Clinical Examinations, and AChSHM Exit Assessment 

I have completed 24 months in an overseas training program, can I apply for RPL for the full 24 months?

You can submit your RPL application for the full duration of your 24 months overseas experience. Please note however, that for all training programs, trainees must still complete minimum training time requirements at accredited settings in Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand. It's likely that a maximum of 12 months of overseas training time may be eligible for certification via RPL for 3-year training programs as per the program handbook.

I gained professional experience overseas. Who can endorse my RPL application and complete the learning goal assessment (Appendix 1)?

If your experience was gained outside Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand, your overseas supervisor or superior should complete and endorse the learning goal assessment. This ensures the assessment reflects the context, scope and standards of the clinical environment where you gained your experience.

I'm applying for RPL for overseas professional experience, as well as experience gained in Aotearoa New Zealand while waiting to start physician training. Who can endorse my application?

We encourage you to seek endorsement from the supervisor responsible for the majority, or most relevant portion, of the experience you are claiming — in this case, typically your overseas supervisor.

However, if your Aotearoa New Zealand supervisor is confident to provide a comprehensive assessment of your competencies against the learning goals, they may complete and endorse the application.

Note that the relevant Training Program Committee may request an additional assessment from supervisors of your overseas experience.

I’m unable to contact my overseas supervisor for the rotation I'm applying for. What should I do?

If your overseas supervisor is unavailable, state this in your application, along with the reason (e.g. retired, relocated, deceased). You should then provide alternative supporting evidence of your performance during the relevant rotation. This may include, but isn't limited to, progress reports, workplace-based assessments and letters of support.

The Training Program Committee will review the evidence to determine whether the required standard and learning goals have been met.

Research project questions

What evidence can I use for a research project application?

Degree certificate and transcript (authenticated if overseas)

Thesis or major project report, or peer-reviewed publication with author details

Evidence the topic area aligns with accepted RPL research categories

Evidence of ongoing currency of research competence

Is my research that I completed as part of my primary qualification Medical Degree (MD) eligible for the research project requirement?

No, the research you completed within your primary qualification is not eligible for RPL unless you conducted it in combination with a higher doctoral degree. The MD mentioned under policy item 5.4.1 refers to a research doctoral degree.'