Improvements to professional practical experience

Feedback updated 18 Aug 2026

We asked

We proposed the following package of improvements to professional practical experience:

  • Changes to ARB’s Standards for learning providers 
     
  • New guidance for employers and trainees
     
  • Minimum requirements for the new Trainee Record of Experience and topics for supplementary advice 
     
  • Changes to ARB’s Registration Rules 

You said

The consultation ran from 15 January 2026 to 15 April 2026 and received 87 unique responses. 

We received the highest level of support for our proposals to introduce guidance for trainees and employers (62% and 57% respectively). We also received support for our proposals on minimum requirements for a Trainee Record of Experience (48%).

Responses were primarily neutral for our proposals on updated Standards for Learning providers (25%) and updating our Registration Rules (28%). Within these responses, there were useful suggestions on how the proposals could improve to better implement our intention of trainee support while remaining achievable for Learning providers. We have considered this feedback and have updated our proposals following the consultation to reflect this feedback.

The consultation analysis report can be read here, and summarises the changes we have made in response to the consultation and engagement that we continued to undertake since.

We did

We have now published the finalised changes here. 

These changes implement the findings of the independent Professional Practical Experience (PPE) Commission established by ARB to examine professional practical experience, which reported after a year-long review in 2025. 

They also follow this consultation on proposed changes to ARB’s Standards for learning providers, guidance for employers and trainees, requirements for a new Trainee Record of Experience, and the Registration Rules governing practical experience. 

In response to the consultation, we have retained the overall framework and objectives of the proposals, while using the feedback to make changes to give providers greater flexibility.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Closed 15 Apr 2026

Opened 15 Jan 2026

Contact

020 7580 5861

communications@arb.org.uk

Overview

We are consulting on improvements to professional practical experience.

The package of changes we are proposing includes:

  • Changes to ARB’s Standards for learning providers and Accreditation Handbook, to introduce a coordinating role for learning providers and the use of an ARB-approved Trainee Record of Experience 
     
  • New guidance for employers and trainees
     
  • Minimum requirements for the new Trainee Record of Experience and topics for supplementary advice 
     
  • Changes to ARB’s Registration Rules to update our practical experience requirements.​ 

​Combined, these changes aim to improve fair and consistent access to quality practical experience. They centre on improving trainees’ experience so that it is higher quality and more effective, encouraging support towards them and helping them to navigate their way through to registration.

Further information on each part of the proposals is within the consultation.

Why your views matter

We are seeking feedback from trainees, learning providers, employers and anyone else with an interest or expertise in these areas. Your views will help us make any improvements to our proposals before they’re finalised and implemented.   

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Competence
  • Education
  • Equality Diversity and Inclusion
  • Initial education and training