Qualifying Examinations

Overview

Applicants whose basic professional qualifications are not found on the list of recognised qualifications will be required to take and pass the relevant Qualifying Examination (QE) to be eligible for conditional registration. Such applicants must submit a registration application to the AHPC before they can be advised on their eligibility to sit for the QE.

Purpose and standards of the Qualifying Examinations

The QE is an assessment of the equivalency of the professional knowledge and skills expected of practitioners in the regulated professions in Singapore.

Eligibility criteria for the Qualifying Examinations

To be eligible for the QE, the applicant must meet the following criteria^*:

1. Possess at least a degree qualification in the relevant discipline;

2. Have an employment offer to practise in Singapore with an organisation or institution that is able to meet the requirements stipulated in the Supervised Practice Guidelines for the relevant allied health profession group. 

3. Take and pass the national examination (if any) in the country where applicant has obtained the degree qualification from.

^*Note: Only Speech-Language Therapy applicants must meet the AHPC’s English Language Proficiency requirement prior to being eligible to enrol for the QE.

Candidates will only be allowed a maximum of three attempts to pass the QE.

Qualifying Examinations schedule

The QE is administered by AHPC's approved higher educational institutions in Singapore on behalf of the AHPC. 

Scope of the Qualifying Examinations

The scope of the QE and some of the recommended reading lists from the institution are as follows:

• Refer to the SIT website ↗ (opens in new tab) for the scope of Diagnostic Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy QE

• Speech-Language Therapy [PDF, 198 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

The AHPC does not endorse or sanction any of the reading materials listed, and to its knowledge, the reading lists are neither complete nor comprehensive.

For questions pertaining to the scope and format of the QE, please email the relevant examining body directly.

Application for the Qualifying Examination

1. They must first apply for registration with the AHPC.

2. After initial review, they will be informed of their eligibility to sit for the QE.

3. With the confirmation letter from the AHPC, they must then apply directly to the relevant examination provider in Singapore for the QE which they intend to take.

A certified true copy of the confirmation letter from AHPC must be submitted by the employer directly to the examination provider by the closing date for the relevant QE.

• Click here for Diagnostic Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy application form ↗ (opens in new tab)

• Click here for Speech-Language Therapy application form ↗ (opens in new tab) 

The contact information and the postal address for the examination providers are listed below. For questions pertaining to the submission of the QE application, please email the relevant examining body directly. The examination provider will inform applicants on the venue, date, time and other instructions on the QE.

Upon receipt of the QE results, applicants must submit a copy of their results to the AHPC so that the AHPC can continue processing their applications for registration.

Note:

1. Only work done as a Diagnostic Radiographer, an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist or Speech-Language Therapist will be considered professional practice experience.

2. For Diagnostic Radiographer, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist, the AHPC will put on hold the registration application for up to 1 year from the date of the letter issued, advising the applicants’ eligibility to undertake the QE. If the QE results are not received by the stipulated deadline, the application will be withdrawn and the applicant will need to submit a fresh application for registration and incur the relevant application fees.

3. For Speech-Language Therapist, the AHPC will put on hold the registration application for up to 2 years from the date of letter issued, advising the applicants’ eligibility to undertake the QE . If the QE results are not received by the deadline stipulated, the application will be withdrawn and the applicant will need to submit a fresh application for registration and incur the relevant application fees

Examination fees

Diagnostic Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

1. The QE fee per candidate is SGD2,000 (before GST) per sitting, subjected to the prevailing GST charge. There will be no refund of fees upon confirmation of registration.

2. All applications for each examination run will be reviewed after the application deadline. Once the registration is approved, candidates will receive an email about the change in status and the instructions to make payment.

Speech-Language Therapy

1. The QE fee per candidate is SGD2,990 (before GST) per sitting, SGD3,259.10 (including 9% GST) per sitting.

2. Candidates will receive application confirmation and electronic payment instructions via email from NUS once your application is processed.

3. No refunds of the examination fee will be issued for withdrawals or in the event of non-attendance. All refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and must be in writing to the SLT QE Board via email by the date of the examination.

4. SLT QE will run with a minimum of TWO (2) candidates. In the event of only ONE (1) candidate registering for the examination, a refund will be given.

Examination frequency

Diagnostic Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

The QE is conducted at SIT three times a year in January, April and August. For more information, please refer to the Singapore Institute of Technology’s website ↗ (opens in new tab). 

Speech-Language Therapy

The QE is conducted annually. The written and oral examinations are conducted over 3 half days in total. 

Examination instructions to candidates

Candidates sitting for the examination must be present at the stated venue at the stipulated time. Candidates will not be admitted into the examination venue 30 minutes after the commencement of the examination.  Candidates must bring along their NRIC or passport and copy of the reply from the examination provider as proof of identity.

Examination results

Diagnostic Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

• Qualifying Examinations (QE) held at the Singapore Institute of Technology

• Results will be released 4 to 6 weeks after the QE

Speech-Language Therapy

• Qualifying Examinations (QE) held at the National University of Singapore

• Results will be released around 2 to 4 weeks after the QE

The institutions providing the QE will issue the results to the candidate and the AHPC.  The examination results are final and appeals will not be entertained by the institutions. 

Retaking the QE

• All eligible candidates will have up to three attempts at the QE.

• Candidates who did not pass in TWO (2) attempts previously and whose applications for registration have been rejected, may submit their request to attempt the QE a third time after securing employment with an institution which has met the AHPC’s Readiness Review requirement. Candidates will need to submit an application for registration and pay the relevant fees through the Professional Registration System before an eligibility letter may be issued.   

• Successful completion of the QE does not guarantee registration.  Eligibility for conditional registration includes inter alia an approved employer in Singapore, good standing/reputation/character, pass in the national licensure examination (if required in the country where the Allied Health qualification is obtained) and proficiency in the English Language.