The BSCF competence assessment process is made up of three parts.

Parts 1 and 2 form the initial submission. They are reviewed as part of the assessment process and contribute to the First Review.

Part 3 is the controlled assessment.

Together, these parts provide the evidence used to support the final certification decision.

certification parts

Before you start

New BSCF applicants

If you are new to BSCF, you will need to register for an account through the Candidate Portal.

Once your account has been created, you will receive an email asking you to validate your account.

You can then begin Part 1 by completing your candidate profile.

Please use the Candidate Portal User Guide, which is available on our website under Useful Resources.

Existing BSCF candidates

If you have previously started a BSCF competence assessment process, please do not create a new account.

Please contact certification@thebscf.org so that we can confirm your existing login details, advise how to access the portal and confirm the correct route.

Existing certificated candidates seeking to extend scope

If you are already certificated by BSCF and want to extend your certification scope, please contact certification@thebscf.org before starting.

The current portal does not support all scope extension routes directly. BSCF will confirm the correct route and issue the relevant information and evidence requirements.

applicant routes

Part 1: Candidate profile

Part 1 is completed through the Candidate Portal.

You will be asked to provide or confirm information including:

  • Personal details
  • Current role and employment
  • Previous relevant employment
  • Professional memberships
  • Qualifications
  • Certification scope applied for

You can review your candidate profile at any time through the portal.

Payment confirmation and assessment arrangements

Once your candidate profile has been reviewed and the correct certification scope and assessment route have been confirmed, BSCF will confirm the payment arrangements and advise you on the next steps.

Payment, or confirmation of payment arrangements, must be in place before BSCF begins the First Review of your Part 1 and Part 2 submissions.

BSCF will then issue the relevant Part 2 Supplementary Information Form so that you can provide the supporting evidence required for the certification scope requested.

The BSCF team will also advise you on Part 3 arrangements, including available controlled assessment dates and any booking requirements.

Part 2: Supporting evidence

Once payment or payment arrangements have been confirmed, BSCF will issue the relevant Supplementary Information Form.

Part 2 is where you submit the supporting evidence required for the certification scope you are applying for.

This will include:

  • Professional Development Record
  • Competence and Skills Log
  • Work experience examples linked to the BICoF competence areas
  • Communication evidence
  • Any other evidence required by the scheme for the category applied for

Parts 1 and 2 form the initial submission and contribute to the first review.

First review

Once Parts 1 and 2 have been submitted, BSCF will review the information and evidence against the scheme requirements and the certification scope applied for.

Following the first review, BSCF will confirm one of the following:

  • Further information is required
  • The submission does not currently support progression
  • You are approved to proceed to Part 3, the controlled assessment

The information and evidence submitted in Parts 1 and 2 remains part of the overall evidence base considered at certification decision.

Where progression to Part 3 is confirmed, the BSCF team will advise you on available dates and confirm the booking arrangements.

Part 3: Controlled assessment

Part 3 is the timed controlled assessment.

The assessment is used alongside the evidence submitted in Parts 1 and 2 to support the final certification decision.

Certification decision

After the controlled assessment has been completed and the required review, marking and decision-making checks have taken place, BSCF will issue the certification decision.

The decision is made against the scheme requirements and the certification scope applied for.

Start your BSCF assessment submission

Submissions and timed controlled assessment dates

BSCF accepts assessment submissions throughout the year. The dates below are planned Part 3 controlled assessment sittings.

Candidates should complete Part 1 and Part 2 when they are ready to provide the required information and evidence. Once Parts 1 and 2 have been submitted, and payment or payment arrangements have been confirmed, BSCF will complete the First Review.

If the First Review confirms that the candidate may progress, BSCF will advise them of the next available Part 3 controlled assessment date and booking arrangements.

Availability for a specific Part 3 date cannot be guaranteed until the required steps have been completed and progression has been confirmed.