SRA Handbook

Authorisation of PSC providers

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Regulation 17: Authorisation of PSC providers

17.1

Regulation 17 applies to:

(a)

a PSC provider; or

(b)

in relation to:

(i)

application for authorisation to provide the PSC; or

(ii)

application for a review of our decision relating to authorisation to provide the PSC;

the applicant; and

"you" and "yourself" should be construed accordingly.

17.2

You may only provide the PSC if:

(a)

you are authorised or re-authorised to do so by us;

(b)

your period of authorisation has not expired, this period being:

(i)

three years from the date of authorisation; or

(ii)

five years from the date of any subsequent re-authorisation;

and

(c)

you have appointed a PSC course director.

17.3

You may apply for one of three types of authorisation or re-authorisation in respect of the PSC:

(a)

authorisation to provide compulsory core instruction in one of the three subject areas;

(b)

authorisation to provide:

(i)

compulsory core instruction in one or more of the three subject areas; and

(ii)

electives in one or more of the subject areas in which authorisation to provide compulsory core instruction is not sought;

or

(c)

authorisation to provide one or more electives only.

17.4

In order for you to be authorised or re-authorised, you must provide us with:

(a)

an application form, containing information about your organisation, body, firm, company or yourself as an individual;

(b)

the name and details of the PSC course director;

(c)

any supporting documentation required by us; and

(d)

the authorisation fee set by us from time to time.

17.5

If you are an authorised PSC provider, you may yourself accredit an elective you offer, if that elective is:

(a)

in any subject area which you are already authorised to provide compulsory core instruction; or

(b)

in any subject area in which you are already authorised to provide elective instruction.

Guidance note:

(i)

The PSC builds upon the LPC. It comprises compulsory core subject areas and electives. The compulsory core subject areas are:

(a)

Financial and Business Skills;

(b)

Advocacy and Communication Skills; and

(c)

Client Care and Professional Standards.

(ii)

The coverage of both compulsory core subject areas and electives are set out in the PSC Standards.