Credentialing
What is a 'credential'?
A 'credential' is a training pathway offered to consultants who are on the GMC's Specialist Register to train in a specialist area that was not undertaken prior to the receipt of their specialist registration.
Some credentials may also be undertaken by Higher Trainees in Psychiatry and medics who spend 3PAs per week in the required specialist area.
Generally, credentials are offered over a period of one year (WTE).
GMC's credentialing framework
In 2019, the General Medical Council (GMC) developed their Framework for GMC-regulated credentials.
The framework outlines two key drivers supporting the approval of credentials:
- unregulated areas of practice where there may be significant patient risks
- where the capacity to train doctors is insufficient to meet patient or service needs.
The RCPsych worked with the GMC as part of their 'Early Adopter' process. A post-CCT credential in Liaison Psychiatry was piloted in 2019. So far, we have received approval from the GMC's Curriculum Oversight Group (COG) and are working with the GMC's Curriculum Advisory Group (CAG) and approvals team towards implementation.
In December 2023, the GMC ended their Credential project.
'We do not plan to develop any further GMC credentials but will continue to support and learn from the early adopters. The findings will support the career development of all doctors and help to improve flexibility in postgraduate medical education.'
The RCPsych will continue to deliver College Credentials as part of RCPsych Learn, the GMC are supportive of this action.
Liaison Credential
In 2016 in partnership with Health Education England we ran a pilot to develop a credential in Liaison Psychiatry. The pilot was aimed at consultants who already have a CCT in General or Old Age psychiatry (or equivalent) who wish to work in a liaison psychiatry service as a Liaison psychiatrist. The aim was to establish what a post CCT credential could look like, and the cost and feasibility of participating.
Currently, formal training in Liaison Psychiatry is only offered as part of higher specialist training leading to an endorsement. A recognised training route is needed for consultants working (or expected to work) in this area, who do not hold an endorsement in liaison psychiatry to meet the service demands.
The pilot is now complete and we are moving through the GMC's Early Adopter process. Further updates regarding the status of the Credential will posted when available.
Eating Disorders Credential
In early 2022, the RCPsych was commissioned by NHS England (NHSE) to produce an Eating Disorders Credential.
Cohort 3 will be starting October 2025, and applications are now open! To apply, please complete our application form.
For information on your eligibility, dates and more, please review our FAQs below.
Our online Q&A sessions with the ED Credential Leads will be held on the 22 May and 9 June 2025. Please send an email to credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk with ‘ED Credential Q&A’ in the subject line if you are interested in attending.
If you are from Scotland, Wales or NI and are interested in participating in the ED Credential please contact us and we can work with the National Managers to support you to obtain funding where available.
For information on your eligibility, dates and more, please review our FAQs below.
If you would like more information or would like to be kept informed on any upcoming cohorts please email credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk.
The first cohort of the credential to medics only opened in October 2023 and we have opened the applications for Cohort 3 starting in October 2025. The Credential opened to a mixture of medics including Higher Resident doctors, Consultants, GPs, SAS doctors, Paediatricians, and other relevant doctors.
To be eligible for the credential you will need to have a minimum of three sessions a week with eating disorder patients and a commitment to your own personal development and knowledge of eating disorder psychiatry.
At the end of the credential a certificate of completion will be awarded from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Please note that we are only able to award the certificate to trainees post CCT completion.
Applications for Cohort 3 of the Eating Disorder Credential are now open.
If you are interested in applying, please complete our application form.
If you have any questions, please review our FAQs and contact credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk if there is something that hasn't been covered.
If you would like more information regarding Cohort 3 of the Eating Disorder Credential please see our extensive FAQs.
If you have any further questions that our FAQs don't cover or would like more details, please contact our team at credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk.
We are looking to recruit Eating Disorder Consultants who are more than three years post CCT and have experience in Clinical Supervision to provide support to the participants for Cohort 3 of the Eating Disorder Credential.
This is a paid role with a minimum of 20 hours of clinical supervision over a period of 12 months. If you are interested, please complete our application form. If you have any questions, please contact credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk if you would like more details.
Want to learn more about credentialing?
We are currently working towards developing further credentials, and scoping areas of work where this would be most beneficial. If you would like to know more about the process, please contact credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk or call 0208 618 4170.
