What is an APC?

An APC is short for Assessment Practising Certificate. It confirms that someone is qualified and up to date to carry out diagnostic assessments for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) such as dyslexia.

APCs are issued by professional organisations like:

– PATOSS

– The Dyslexia Guild (Dyslexia Action)

– The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)

All of these follow the national standards set by SASC (the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee), which oversees the quality and consistency of assessment practice.

To hold an APC, a specialist assessor must:

– have a Level 7 qualification in individual diagnostic assessment

– complete regular CPD (continuing professional development)

– follow strict ethical and professional codes

– submit reports for external review and moderation

You can check if an assessor holds an APC or is SASC-registered here:

🔗 https://sasc.org.uk/find-an-assessor/

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  • For exam access arrangements (like extra time), JCQ (the Joint Council for Qualifications) says the assessor must:

    – hold a postgraduate Level 7 qualification in specialist assessment

    – be approved by the head of centre (usually the school SENCo or exams officer)

    They do not have to hold an APC — though many do, and it can offer additional reassurance of current good practice.

    Some schools and local authorities may prefer assessments from APC holders, especially when decisions are being challenged or put forward in support of an EHCP. But legally, it’s the qualification and content of the report that matters — not just the certificate.

  • If your child later applies for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) to access support at university, their diagnostic report must meet strict criteria:

    The assessor must have a current APC or be listed on the SASC directory

    The report must follow the SASC format (specific structure and wording)

    So, if you’re arranging a private assessment for a teenager or young adult — especially in the run-up to university — it’s worth making sure the assessor holds a valid APC and writes reports suitable for DSA applications.

  • In some cases, families choose a non-APC assessor for reasons such as:

    🔹 Specialist insight

    Some assessors focus on in-depth, narrative reports that go beyond what’s needed for formal exam boards — offering thoughtful insights that can guide teaching or support requests.

    🔹 Teaching and support focus

    Some specialist teachers trained in diagnostic assessment offer embedded assessments as part of tuition, even if the report isn’t formally recognised by exam boards.

    That said, if you’re paying privately for a formal diagnostic assessment that needs to be recognised for:

    – Access arrangements

    – University DSA

    – or legal/tribunal evidence

    …then using an APC holder (or someone who meets SASC criteria and writes in the recognised format) is strongly advised.

  • You might also come across the term AMBDA, which stands for Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association. It’s awarded by the BDA to specialists who’ve completed in-depth training in both teaching and assessment for dyslexia. Many AMBDA holders also have an APC — but the two are separate.

    – AMBDA reflects a high level of training and BDA membership.

    – APC confirms someone is currently practising as an assessor and meeting SASC standards.

    You can check if an assessor holds an APC or is SASC-registered here:

    🔗 https://sasc.org.uk/find-an-assessor/