Queensland Practising Certificate Scheme
Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
What is a Practising Certificate?
A practising certificate is a licence to practise a particular profession. A current practising certificate is required before they can offer their services.
How long does a Practising Certificate last?
Who needs to register for the Queensland Practising Certificate Scheme?
How do I apply?
When can I apply?
What happens if I don’t hold a Practising Certificate?
Can I obtain employment in Queensland in a statutory role, without holding a current Practising Certificate?
Processing Times for issue of Practising Certificates
How often do I need to renew my Practising Certificate?
How do I renew my Practising Certificate?
I hold a Certificate of Competency and/or Notice for several statutory functions. Do I need a Practising Certificate for each?
What do I need to do once I receive my Practising Certificate?
Can my employer ask the status of my Practising Certificate?
How do I maintain my Practising Certificate?
What study or training can I claim?
What can’t I claim?
What records do I need to keep?
What happens with any excess learning hours?
Do I still need a Practising Certificate even if I don’t perform my statutory function?
I work part time. Are my obligations the same?
I hold a current Practising Certificate in another State. Do I still need a Queensland Practising Certificate?
What happens if I stop Practising for a while?
What happens if I stop Practising permanently?
I no longer work – do I just let my Practising Certificate lapse?
What happens if I allow my Practising Certificate to expire?
What types of learning and training courses are recognised under the scheme?
What is Highest Level of Responsibility (HLR)?
Contact Us
The Queensland Practising Certificate is a Certificate issued to you to prove currency of competency for any Certificates of Competency or Notices you hold. This is a separate Certificate to your Certificate of Competency or Notice which is issued to you by the Board of Examiners initially upon successful assessment. The Practising Certificate will allow you to be appointed and work in your statutory role.
5 years
Anyone who holds a Certificate of Competency or an SSE (Site Senior Executive) notice and wishes to continue working in those roles should apply.
All persons that hold any of the following Competencies and/or Notices and who exercise these statutory functions in Queensland, as at the date legislation is enacted, will be required to hold a current Queensland Practising Certificate. This includes Competencies issued in Queensland via Mutual Recognition.
Note: holders of Site Senior Executive (MMQ) – Surface (for 11 to 20 persons)
All current Certificate and Notice holders will need to be registered by the Enactment Date of the proposed legislative amendments that will make the scheme mandatory.
If you register voluntarily during the lead up period, you not only gain up to one additional year of learning hours for the first period, but you will also register for free. If you wait until after Enactment Date, you will be required to pay a registration fee.
Persons who register for the Practising Certificate Scheme prior to legislation being introduced will benefit from:
All persons exercising their statutory function in Queensland, as at the date legislation is enacted, will be required to hold a current Queensland Practising Certificate.
You will not be a participant in the scheme; therefore, you will forgo your ability to work in a statutory role once the legislation enactment date passes.
You will not be able to exercise your statutory function in Queensland.
No, you must hold a current Practising Certificate.
If all registration details have been entered correctly, your Practising Certificate should be issued within a few business days.
Where registration details require further validation or investigation, processing should occur within four weeks of receipt. We will be in contact with you directly if there are any issues with your application.
Your Practising Certificate will be issued for a period of five years. In the lead up to expiry you will receive notification that renewal is pending and advice on how to renew.
Renewal in dependent upon the Total Learning Hours Required having been achieved.
Your Practising Certificate will automatically generate upon expiration of the previous Practising Certificate and at the start of the new 5-year cycle. The PCS management system will prompt you to update your details. It is important that you ensure you have all your activities loaded prior to this date to ensure the system renews your currency.
No. A single Practising Certificate is issued, listing all current statutory functions you can exercise.
Your Practising Certificate will list all Certificates of Competency that you hold, your activity levels will be based on the Certificate or Notice you hold with the Highest Level of Responsibility.
Your other Certificates or Notices are maintained by virtue of maintaining currency at the highest level you hold.
For example, if you hold your Undermanager Certificate of Competency and your Deputy Certificate of Competency- maintaining your currency for your Undermanager Certificate of Competency will automatically mean you are also maintaining your Deputy Certificate of Competency.
Should you acquire further Competencies or Notices after your Practising Certificate has been issued, log into the Portal to add the new statutory function to your Certificate. An updated Practising Certificate will be issued.
You need to start uploading your approved activities as you complete them to maintain currency. These activities will be subject to audit during the 5-year cycle. There are a minimum number of hours required to be obtained and recorded each year to remain compliant. Refer to the table at the bottom of this article for details.
Upon commencement of the anticipated legislative amendments, your employer will be entitled to ask for the status of your Practising Certificate to meet their obligations under the Act.
Upon successful registration for the Practising Certificate Scheme, you will receive the following:
A Registration Confirmation email, detailing
The email contains a link to the Portal sign in page. You are responsible for uploaded your completed learning activities.
Your Practising Certificate can be obtained when you log into the Portal
The Professional Development Opportunities tables can be accessed via the Knowledge Base Articles in the Portal. Use the Professional Development Opportunities table to plan out your learning activities in accordance with your minimum and maximum annual learning hour requirements, and total required hours over the five-year period.
Upon completion of each learning, lodge details and evidence of each activity via the portal.
NOTE:
Activities completed prior to your registration date will not be accepted.
All activities lodged will be subject to audit
If you undertake an activity that is not one of these above, and you feel it has a demonstrable safety or health outcome, you are able to apply to the Board of Examiners for this to become an approved activity.
You will need to upload evidence of activities into your profile on the Practising Certificate Scheme management system.
Once you have uploaded those records and evidence, you are not required to keep physical copies.
Excess hours are lost, they do not rollover into the next 5-year period.
There are minimum and learning maximum learning hours set annually.
It is recommended you do; in case you decide at a later date to recommence in a statutory role.
Yes, they remain the same. The requirements to maintain your competency do not depend on the hours you work.
If you wish to work in a statutory function in Queensland, you are required to hold a Queensland Practising Certificate. The Queensland Board of Examiners has consulted closely with the New South Wales regulator to ensure the schemes are closely aligned to allow participants in Queensland to carry over the majority of their activities from NSW.
If you wish to be eligible in the future, you need to continue maintaining your competence.
If your competency lapses, you will need to make up the deficit before a new Practising Certificate will be issued
Let us know. Log into the Portal and choose the Manage Certificate > Opt Out option.
It is best that you formally opt out from the scheme, which can be done within the system, pending Board approval, so that you don’t receive reminder notices from the Secretariat.
You will no longer be able to practice in your statutory role, you will be contacted to confirm that you wish to have your Practising Certificate expire.
If you change your mind, or your circumstances change and you wish to re-register into the scheme, you will need to contact the Board of Examiners Secretariat and seek approval from the Board to re-register. You will be required to undertake at least one third of your required hours before a new Practising Certificate will be issued, allowing you to work in a statutory role again.
For details of all approved activities and limits for each, refer to:
There are five Activity Types:
Under each Activity Type is a listing of approved Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Activities
Learning Activities:
The Highest Level of Responsibility is the highest competency level held
If you are unsure if you can claim your learning, contact us at BOE.PCS@rshq.qld.gov.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
What is a Practising Certificate?
A practising certificate is a licence to practise a particular profession. A current practising certificate is required before they can offer their services.
How long does a Practising Certificate last?
Who needs to register for the Queensland Practising Certificate Scheme?
How do I apply?
When can I apply?
What happens if I don’t hold a Practising Certificate?
Can I obtain employment in Queensland in a statutory role, without holding a current Practising Certificate?
Processing Times for issue of Practising Certificates
How often do I need to renew my Practising Certificate?
How do I renew my Practising Certificate?
I hold a Certificate of Competency and/or Notice for several statutory functions. Do I need a Practising Certificate for each?
What do I need to do once I receive my Practising Certificate?
Can my employer ask the status of my Practising Certificate?
How do I maintain my Practising Certificate?
What study or training can I claim?
What can’t I claim?
What records do I need to keep?
What happens with any excess learning hours?
Do I still need a Practising Certificate even if I don’t perform my statutory function?
I work part time. Are my obligations the same?
I hold a current Practising Certificate in another State. Do I still need a Queensland Practising Certificate?
What happens if I stop Practising for a while?
What happens if I stop Practising permanently?
I no longer work – do I just let my Practising Certificate lapse?
What happens if I allow my Practising Certificate to expire?
What types of learning and training courses are recognised under the scheme?
What is Highest Level of Responsibility (HLR)?
Contact Us
What is a Practising Certificate?
The Queensland Practising Certificate is a Certificate issued to you to prove currency of competency for any Certificates of Competency or Notices you hold. This is a separate Certificate to your Certificate of Competency or Notice which is issued to you by the Board of Examiners initially upon successful assessment. The Practising Certificate will allow you to be appointed and work in your statutory role.
A practising certificate is a licence to practise a particular profession. A current practising certificate is required before they can offer their services.
The authority that administers the practising certificate is Resources Safety and Health Queensland as per legislations, to be introduced
How long does a Practising Certificate last?
5 years
Who needs to register for the Queensland Practising Certificate Scheme?
Anyone who holds a Certificate of Competency or an SSE (Site Senior Executive) notice and wishes to continue working in those roles should apply.
All persons that hold any of the following Competencies and/or Notices and who exercise these statutory functions in Queensland, as at the date legislation is enacted, will be required to hold a current Queensland Practising Certificate. This includes Competencies issued in Queensland via Mutual Recognition.
- 1st Class Mine Manager (Coal)
- 1st Class Mine Manager (Metalliferous)
- 2nd Class Mine Manager (Coal)
- Deputy
- Open Cut Examiner
- Ventilation Officer
- Site Senior Executive (Coal) – Surface
- Site Senior Executive (Coal) – Underground
- Site Senior Executive (MMQ) – Surface (Greater than 20 persons)
- Site Senior Executive (MMQ) - Underground
Note: holders of Site Senior Executive (MMQ) – Surface (for 11 to 20 persons)
- are not required to register for the Practising Certificate Scheme
How do I apply?
Go to the Practising Certificate Scheme webpage Home · Customer Self-Service (boepcs.qld.gov.au) and follow the steps to register.
Step by step instructions can be located at the Knowledge Base article “How to Register for the Practising Certificate Scheme”.
From the Home page, select Sign in from the top right-hand corner.
Select the “Register” tab.
At the Register page, the Qld Digital Identity login will verify your identify against either your MyGovID or QGov login. Most people already have a MyGov or QGov Account. Once your identity has been confirmed by one of these options, you will be required to complete some further details. You will be notified by email of your successful registration or contacted by the Board of Examiners Secretariat to resolve any issues with your registration.
A step-by-step guide to registering can be found in the Knowledge Base, under “How To”.
You will need:
- A current myGovID or QGov account
- A mobile phone or computer (to validate your myGovID or QGov access)
- Contact details, including at least 1 telephone number and at least 1 email address
- Address details, either a Postal or Residential Address
- Current employment details, including start date
- All current Competencies held, including the Competency type and reference number
When can I apply?
All current Certificate and Notice holders will need to be registered by the Enactment Date of the proposed legislative amendments that will make the scheme mandatory.
If you register voluntarily during the lead up period, you not only gain up to one additional year of learning hours for the first period, but you will also register for free. If you wait until after Enactment Date, you will be required to pay a registration fee.
Persons who register for the Practising Certificate Scheme prior to legislation being introduced will benefit from:
- Bonus learning time (up to one year)
- no initial registration fee
All persons exercising their statutory function in Queensland, as at the date legislation is enacted, will be required to hold a current Queensland Practising Certificate.
What happens if I don’t hold a Practising Certificate?
You will not be a participant in the scheme; therefore, you will forgo your ability to work in a statutory role once the legislation enactment date passes.
You will not be able to exercise your statutory function in Queensland.
Can I obtain employment in Queensland in a statutory role, without holding a current Practising Certificate?
No, you must hold a current Practising Certificate.
Processing Times for issue of Practising Certificates
If all registration details have been entered correctly, your Practising Certificate should be issued within a few business days.
Where registration details require further validation or investigation, processing should occur within four weeks of receipt. We will be in contact with you directly if there are any issues with your application.
How often do I need to renew my Practising Certificate?
Your Practising Certificate will be issued for a period of five years. In the lead up to expiry you will receive notification that renewal is pending and advice on how to renew.
Renewal in dependent upon the Total Learning Hours Required having been achieved.
How do I renew my Practising Certificate?
Your Practising Certificate will automatically generate upon expiration of the previous Practising Certificate and at the start of the new 5-year cycle. The PCS management system will prompt you to update your details. It is important that you ensure you have all your activities loaded prior to this date to ensure the system renews your currency.
I hold a Certificate of Competency and/or Notice for several statutory functions. Do I need a Practising Certificate for each?
No. A single Practising Certificate is issued, listing all current statutory functions you can exercise.
Your Practising Certificate will list all Certificates of Competency that you hold, your activity levels will be based on the Certificate or Notice you hold with the Highest Level of Responsibility.
Your other Certificates or Notices are maintained by virtue of maintaining currency at the highest level you hold.
For example, if you hold your Undermanager Certificate of Competency and your Deputy Certificate of Competency- maintaining your currency for your Undermanager Certificate of Competency will automatically mean you are also maintaining your Deputy Certificate of Competency.
Should you acquire further Competencies or Notices after your Practising Certificate has been issued, log into the Portal to add the new statutory function to your Certificate. An updated Practising Certificate will be issued.
What do I need to do once I receive my Practising Certificate?
You need to start uploading your approved activities as you complete them to maintain currency. These activities will be subject to audit during the 5-year cycle. There are a minimum number of hours required to be obtained and recorded each year to remain compliant. Refer to the table at the bottom of this article for details.
Can my employer ask the status of my Practising Certificate?
Upon commencement of the anticipated legislative amendments, your employer will be entitled to ask for the status of your Practising Certificate to meet their obligations under the Act.
How do I maintain my Practising Certificate?
Upon successful registration for the Practising Certificate Scheme, you will receive the following:
A Registration Confirmation email, detailing
- Your Highest Level of Responsibility
- Your Total Required Hours, to be obtained over the 5-year cycle
- Your minimum learning hours required each year
The email contains a link to the Portal sign in page. You are responsible for uploaded your completed learning activities.
Your Practising Certificate can be obtained when you log into the Portal
The Professional Development Opportunities tables can be accessed via the Knowledge Base Articles in the Portal. Use the Professional Development Opportunities table to plan out your learning activities in accordance with your minimum and maximum annual learning hour requirements, and total required hours over the five-year period.
Upon completion of each learning, lodge details and evidence of each activity via the portal.
NOTE:
Activities completed prior to your registration date will not be accepted.
All activities lodged will be subject to audit
What study or training can I claim?
The details are available from the Professional Development Opportunities table for all pre-approved courses and activities.
Credit for activities not authorised by the Board will not be approved.
Recognised Hours will only be granted up to the maximum hours, as listing on the Professional Development Opportunities table
The details of approved CPD activities are available from:
- www.boepcs.qld.gov.au
- www.rshq.qld.gov.au
What can’t I claim?
- Unstructured conversations, unless within a formally recognised mentoring program
- Lunch breaks at conferences, workshops, training courses etc
- General meetings with clients, government officers etc
- Attending meetings unless you are acquiring a specific pertinent skill
- Inductions
If you undertake an activity that is not one of these above, and you feel it has a demonstrable safety or health outcome, you are able to apply to the Board of Examiners for this to become an approved activity.
What records do I need to keep?
You will need to upload evidence of activities into your profile on the Practising Certificate Scheme management system.
Once you have uploaded those records and evidence, you are not required to keep physical copies.
What happens with any excess learning hours?
Excess hours are lost, they do not rollover into the next 5-year period.
There are minimum and learning maximum learning hours set annually.
- Any learning hours in excess of the annual maximum will not be counted.
- Any learning hours in excess of the five-year period will not be rolled over into the next 5-year period
Do I still need a Practising Certificate even if I don’t perform my statutory function?
It is recommended you do; in case you decide at a later date to recommence in a statutory role.
I work part time. Are my obligations the same?
Yes, they remain the same. The requirements to maintain your competency do not depend on the hours you work.
I hold a current Practising Certificate in another State. Do I still need a Queensland Practising Certificate?
If you wish to work in a statutory function in Queensland, you are required to hold a Queensland Practising Certificate. The Queensland Board of Examiners has consulted closely with the New South Wales regulator to ensure the schemes are closely aligned to allow participants in Queensland to carry over the majority of their activities from NSW.
What happens if I stop Practising for a while?
If you wish to be eligible in the future, you need to continue maintaining your competence.
If your competency lapses, you will need to make up the deficit before a new Practising Certificate will be issued
What happens if I stop Practising permanently?
Let us know. Log into the Portal and choose the Manage Certificate > Opt Out option.
I no longer work – do I just let my Practising Certificate lapse?
It is best that you formally opt out from the scheme, which can be done within the system, pending Board approval, so that you don’t receive reminder notices from the Secretariat.
What happens if I allow my Practising Certificate to expire?
You will no longer be able to practice in your statutory role, you will be contacted to confirm that you wish to have your Practising Certificate expire.
If you change your mind, or your circumstances change and you wish to re-register into the scheme, you will need to contact the Board of Examiners Secretariat and seek approval from the Board to re-register. You will be required to undertake at least one third of your required hours before a new Practising Certificate will be issued, allowing you to work in a statutory role again.
What types of learning and training courses are recognised under the scheme?
For details of all approved activities and limits for each, refer to:
- Professional Development Opportunities tables
- Competency Activity Limits table
There are five Activity Types:
- Conference
- Course
- Industry participation
- Reading
- Site visit
Under each Activity Type is a listing of approved Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Activities
Learning Activities:
- vary according to the Highest Level of Responsibility held by each Practising Certificate Holder.
- have a maximum number of hours claimable
- per year or
- per activity
- There are caps on total hours that can be obtained each year, against each activity type
What is Highest Level of Responsibility (HLR)?
The Highest Level of Responsibility is the highest competency level held
Contact Us
If you are unsure if you can claim your learning, contact us at BOE.PCS@rshq.qld.gov.au.