Display of additional qualifications

Overview

Section 25(1) of the Allied Health Professions Act stipulates that registered Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) shall use only qualifications entered in registers and approved titles, etc. No registered Allied Health Professional shall:

1. Use or exhibit or publish in any card, letter, stationery, nameplate, signboard, placard, circular, handbill or any notice displayed at the premises used by him for the practice of any prescribed allied health profession any qualification other than the qualifications which are entered against his name in the appropriate register or which has been approved by the Council; or

2. Use any title, addition or designation other than the title, addition or designation which has been approved by the Council.

Criteria for display of additional qualifications

AHPs will only be allowed to display qualifications that are entered against their name in their respective professional register. Qualifications allowed for display are as follows:

1. Formal qualifications (e.g. Postgraduate Diplomas, Advanced diplomas, Masters, PhDs) obtained from bona fide universities, and demonstrating acquisition of advanced skill sets and/or research in the relevant profession’s clinical practice;

2. Degree conversion qualifications obtained in relevant professions displayed alongside the registrable qualification;

3. Formal Postgraduate qualifications pertaining to healthcare education, management, or research skills; and

4. Honorary degrees and titles in the context of the Allied Health Profession’s professional practice (to be assessed on case-by-case basis).

In addition, the qualification must meet the following criteria:

1. Qualification must be from a formal postgraduate programme (i.e. at least a Postgraduate Diploma) from a university or college in order to be considered eligible for display;

2. Qualification should be relevant to the area of practice of the AHP;

3. Qualification should be awarded after a programme of training, study or research in an area relevant to the professional’s practice (minimum full-time equivalent of six months);

4. Qualification must have eligibility criteria for entry into the programme;

5. Qualification should demonstrate that the AHP possesses more extensive knowledge relevant to the professional’s practice; and

6. Where applicable, the AHP may be asked to present evidence that he/she has acquired clinical skills related to the qualification (i.e. transcripts must have placement or clinical component included that is relevant to practice).

Criteria for display of Board Certificates

Board Certificates which are examination-based credentials (i.e. written, clinical and/or viva) and awarded by the national board of the country will be allowed for display.

For Board Certificates that are not awarded indefinitely but have a specific validity period, please note that the certificate will only be displayed for the period of its validity. The starting and ending dates of the Board Certificate will be indicated on the relevant Register. Upon recertification with the respective Boards, the holder of the board certificate will need to reapply for the display of the Board Certificate and incur fresh application fees.

Online submission of application

AHPs can apply with the AHPC to have their qualifications entered against their name in the Register by submitting an online application for the display of additional qualifications with the following documents:

1. A copy of your qualification and transcripts (to be uploaded with your online application). Is your additional qualification relevant to your area of practice? Please provide an explanation and attach it in the “Additional Documents” section of the online application form if your qualification is not related to your profession.

2. An original letter of verification (LV) to be sent to the AHPC directly from the awarding institution. LVs must be printed on the letterhead of issuing authorities/ conferring institutions and contain the following information:

   • Name of graduate;

   • Date of entry into programme;

   • Date of graduation/ conferment; and

   • Title of qualification conferred. 

Applications with no original LVs received by AHPC will be deemed incomplete and the processing of the application will be held in abeyance until the receipt of the LV. These applications will be held for 6 months and subsequently withdrawn.

Please note that AHPC shall not be responsible for any payments incurred by the applicant and/or interested parties arising from the request of LVs.

If you are submitting an application to display a board certificate, in the absence of a LV, a certified true copy of your board certificate will need to be provided in support of your application. Your board certificate should be certified true by a notary public.   

3. Details of the completed programme (to be uploaded with your online application):

   • Course structure;

   • Course syllabus; and

   • Course duration.

For Board Certificates, please provide the criteria leading to award.

4. Payment of prescribed fee (SGD50) per postgraduate qualification.