ARB confirms plans to remove two-year requirement for professional practical experience

The ARB is removing the requirement for trainees to have at least two years of practical experience before they can apply for registration as part of a package of reforms to professional practical experience.

Applicants for registration will still need qualifications demonstrating that they have met the regulator’s competency outcomes but the time needed to achieve those benchmarks will vary depending on the nature of the individual’s education and practical experience.

The changes, due to come into force in December 2028, come following a year-long review of professional practical experience in 2025 by the ARB and a consultation on proposed changes held earlier this year.

ARB said the changes will provide greater flexibility for learning providers to develop qualifications that combine academic learning and practical experience without trainees needing to categorise their experience according to a fixed time requirement. 

Other changes include a new trainee record of experience which will be used by trainees, learning providers and employers to identify gaps in experience and support trainees as they work towards fulfilling the ARB’s competency outcomes.

New guidance has also been published for trainers and employers, explaining their respective roles and responsibilities during professional practical experience and aiming to ensure practical experience is productive, fair and meaningful. 

Alan Kershaw, ARB Chair, said: “Our aim is to make sure that all trainees have access to high-quality practical experience and the support they need to develop the competence required for registration.

“The feedback we received through our consultation has helped us further strengthen and refine our proposals. We have used this to shape changes that will give trainees a more supportive and flexible experience, while maintaining the high standards required for registration.

“The new framework for practical experience published today will give learning providers greater flexibility to integrate academic learning and practical experience. It will also provide much greater transparency for trainees about what they should expect from their PPE and how they can access guidance and support.”

The removal of the two-year minimum requirement will take effect for trainees completing qualifications that have transitioned to the new outcomes-based framework. Until a qualification has transitioned, trainees completing that qualification will remain subject to the existing practical experience requirements, including the two-year minimum.