Professional Certificates for Gender Identity Healthcare Professionals

RCP was commissioned by NHS England to develop a range of professional certificates (credentials) for clinicians working in adult gender identity healthcare services.

There are three RCP professional certificates available to meet the credentialing requirements for statutorily regulated healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with gender diverse adults in GICs, and potentially in other adult service settings, such as primary care:

Professional Certificate in Core Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 1)
Professional Certificate in Advanced Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 2)
Professional Certificate in Prescribing Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 3).

Professional Certificate in Core Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 1)

This certificate is designed for those working in the services for adults in the UK. The programme covers taking a history, providing basic information, describing the care process, how to facilitate and monitor an individual’s progress whilst working effectively with a multidisciplinary team (MDT), covering professional standards, good governance, and relevant legislation.

Learners will need a work based supervisor and a suitable site to gain evidence.

More information on GIH certificate 1

Professional Certificates 2 and 3

Certificates 2 and 3 are available for those completing certificate 1 and are not available on a standalone basis.

Professional Certificate 2 is for healthcare professionals who work in the lead clinician role described in NHS (England) Service Specifications for Specialist Adult Gender Services and for ‘Specialist Gender Service Clinical Leads’

Professional Certificate 3 is for healthcare professionals who prescribe or who make specific prescribing recommendations to prescribers, such as GPs, for the treatment of gender incongruence in Specialist Adult Gender Services (currently medical practitioners and non-medical prescribers, such as nurses and pharmacists).

Accreditation of experienced clinicians (grandparenting) - certificate 1

The RCP has developed a route for the accreditation of experienced clinicians (sometimes termed ‘grandparenting’). This is for registered healthcare professionals working within NHS provided gender identity services. Clinicians seeking accreditation based on their experience will need to submit an application endorsed by a referee who is working at a senior level within the field (eg clinic lead/head of service).

The grandparenting route for Certificate 1 will be open for a 12 month period up to 12 February 2025. After this date, clinicians wishing to accredit will need to complete the certificate training programme.

More information

How do I apply for certificate 1?

NHS England funded places
There are a number of funded places for those working in specialist adult gender services. If you are interested in a funded place you should approach your line manager in the clinic in the first instance and register for the next intake using the link below.

There will be a screening process to ensure an even spread across the GIH clinics in England. The places will then be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis after being assessed for eligibility from the application form data.

Self-funded places for certificates
If you are interested in a self-funded place (cost £2,000 for Certificate 1) you will need to demonstrate the following criteria can be met in your application to the programme:

you have the support of a suitably qualified work-based supervisor
you have access within your role to clinical cases in an approved centre.

If you have any questions or need further information please contact credential@rcp.ac.uk

Register for certificate 1

How do I apply for the grandparenting route?

The application window for accreditation of experienced clinicians (grandparenting) route is now open and will close at 5pm on 12 February 2025.

Please register for this route using the form below and we will contact you with an application form if you are eligible. There will be a number of application submission points up until the closing date and we will notify you of the next submission deadline when we send you the form.

There is a one-off fee of £400 for this route and certification. Please review the eligibility criteria and register using the form below. Following a screening process you will be asked to provide details of your experience and a referee endorsement. More information is available in the downloadable document in the supported route for accreditation of experienced clinicians section above.

Register for grandparenting