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Specialist Registration by Portfolio Assessment

October 2023 update:

We have  updated and amended the following documents, so please do ensure you are using the current guidance and templates:

 – UKPHR Show How competencies and guidance

 – UKPHR Knowledge competencies and guidance

 – FAQ’s

 – Preapplication guidance

 – Portfolio guidance

 – Preapplication form

 – Preapplication matrix

 – Portfolio application form

 – Portfolio assessment proforma

–  Portfolio matrix

Further updates will be listed here.x

UKPHR’s Specialist Registration by Portfolio Assessment (SRbPA) registration is an alternative way of registering with UKPHR at Specialist level for those who have not undertaken the Standard Route of obtaining Specialist registration and are not on the GMC/GDC Public Health Specialty registers.

This registration route is aimed at those who are already working at Public Health consultant level and can demonstrate that they meet all UKPHR’s Knowledge and Show How competencies, which you can view by clicking on the ‘Essential Documents’ box below.

When sending your pre-application, you need to be confident that you are ‘portfolio ready’ – i.e. that you can meet all the required competencies, or have very few gaps to fill. If your pre-application is approved, you will find that the 18 months to collate your portfolio alongside your everyday life and work, can go by in double-fast time. Therefore, we urge any applicants to consider this carefully and ensure if they have gaps, these are completed before you send in your pre-application.

You can view a presentation and introduction to the SRbPA process along with a Q&A session from prospective applicants from December 2022 here:  SRbPA intro and Q&A Dec 2022

Before you read on, please read the FAQ’s we have produced to gain more of an understanding of the process in its entirety.

You can view the fees for a SRbPA pre-application and portfolio on our website here: UKPHR fees

There are two stages to the SRbPA application process:

  1. A pre-application. This includes an application form, a structured reference and other documents in support of your application. Compiling a pre-application can take considerable time so we would recommend that you click on the ‘Stage 1 – Pre-application stage’ box below and read all the information and guidance carefully.
  2. If your pre-application has been approved, you will then be invited to send in your portfolio. There is a deadline of 18 months from when your pre-application has been approved to submission of your portfolio. To find out more about this process, please click on the ‘Stage 2 – submission of your portfolio’ box.

UKPHR’s Specialist Moderators have recorded podcasts to help those interested in applying. Please do listen to these before sending in your pre-application:x

An introduction to the Specialist Registration by Portfolio Assessment process (7:43)

The preapplication process (11:44)

The reference (12:19) This podcast is intended for those completing the structured reference for the applicant. Both the applicant and their reference author will find this useful to listen to.

The portfolio (13:45)

Support for those interested in registering via this route

We are aware of a network open to all those interested in registering via this route, called Public Health Specialist Portfolio Network. If you would like further information on this, you can find further information on the ADPH website here: Public Health Specialist Portfolio Network | ADPH


Some regions and areas are beginning to establish support programmes for applicants wishing to progress their careers and apply for UKPHR public health specialist registration. We recommend that you ask senior Public Health colleagues in your area. In some parts of the UK, it has been known for Workforce Leads to provide advice.

How many pre-applications and portfolios have UKPHR received since this route opened in 2018?

As of 1 March 2024, we have received a total of 64 pre-applications.

Of these 26 have been approved to submit a portfolio and 34 have been declined. 4 are awaiting assessment outcomes.

We have received 16 portfolios. Of these, 5 applicants have become registered Specialists.

6 portfolios are currently in progress and are being assessed or with applicants to address clarifications/resubmissions.

4 portfolios received were unassessable.

1 portfolio is waiting to be assigned to assessors.

Before you proceed any further, please read all the essential documents by clicking on the box below. Then when you are in a position to proceed, click on the boxes below that to read the other information. 

Essential Documents to read before proceeding with your application

Specialist registration by portfolio assessment – Frequently asked questions

UKPHR Pre-application (Stage 1) guidance

UKPHR Portfolio application (Stage 2) guidance – please note: this only applies if you if you have been approved to submit a portfolio after Stage 1

UKPHR Knowledge competencies and guidance

UKPHR Show How competencies and guidance

Audit of unsuccessful pre-applications to Nov 2021

Audit of unsuccessful pre-applications to November 2022

Audit of unsuccessful pre-applications to November 2023

Pre-application assessment proforma – for information only

Stage 1: Pre-application stage – which assesses whether you are working at the right level for this route
If you wish to apply for specialist registration via this route must first seek approval from UKPHR via a pre-application process.

Please read the UKPHR pre-application guidance carefully before you begin your pre-application. It is essential that you read this guidance and are aware of the requirements for your pre-application, as there are a large number of items we ask for.  Please also read the portfolio guidance and Show How and Knowledge competencies guidance on the Essential Documents tab above before starting your pre-application . It is crucial that you have read and understand the competencies that you need to demonstrate adequately BEFORE sending in a preapplication, as there are only 18 months between preapplication acceptance and submission of your portfolio.

Please click on the link below to read the preapplication guidance:

The documents we require for your pre-application are:

  • Your completed pre-application form
  • Payment of your pre-application assessment fee
  • Your structured reference using UKPHR’s reference template
  • Your completed matrix of evidence vs competencies. (please use the Word document and do not transfer this to another format)
  • Supporting documents as listed in the preapplication applicant guidance form:
    • Your current job description
    • Your current CV
    • Your most recent appraisal (within the last year)
    • Your most recent Personal Development Plan (within the last year)
    • Your most recent 360o feedback (within the past 3 years)
    • An organisational chart showing your role
    • Certified copies of your certificates and change of name evidence if any are in different names (certified by your referee)

If your pre-application receives approval, you will have 18 months from the date of UKPHR’s outcome letter to submit your portfolio.

Stage 2: Submission of your portfolio – for assessment if UKPHR is satisfied that you are working at the right level
Individuals who have successfully applied for approval to submit a portfolio for assessment via the pre-application process must submit their portfolio within 18 months of UKPHR’s outcome letter.

Please read the guidance document we have produced before you begin your portfolio application:

The Show How and Knowledge competencies you are required to provide evidence against can be found by clicking on the ‘essential documents’ box above

The documents you will be required to send to us are:

  • Your completed portfolio application form 
  • Your completed portfolio assessment proforma  (please retain a copy of  this document)
  • Your completed portfolio evidence matrix (please retain a copy of this document)
  • Your completed reference if your portfolio application is more than 12 months since your pre-application was approved.
  • Your portfolio of evidence
  • Payment of your portfolio assessment fee
  • Supporting documents as listed in the portfolio applicant guidance; this includes
    • Your current job description
    • Your current CV
    • Your most recent Personal Development Plan (within the last year)
    • A description of your current arrangements for Continuing Professional Development
      (CPD) which must be as part of a formal CPD scheme
    • Certified copies of your certificates and change of name evidence if any are in different names (certified by your referee)

Other documents relevant to submission of your portfolio can be viewed via the links below

UKPHR has also published a document mapping between the 2015 Curriculum and the 2018 UKPHR competencies with a commentary on why there are differences. This has now been updated to include the 2022 changes.

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