The Secretary of State instructs an approval body to exercise the approval function in accordance with these Instructions and any agreement made under 12ZA of the 1983 Act which is in force between the Secretary of State and the approving body.
Professional Requirements
The professional requirements are that the person who has applied for approved clinician must be one of the following:-
(a) a registered medical practitioner;
(b) a practitioner psychologist listed in the register maintained by the Health and Care Professions Council (a);
(c ) a first level nurse, registered in Sub-Part 1 of the Nurses' Part of the register maintained under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (b), with the inclusion of an entry indicating their field of practice is mental health or learning disability;
(d) an occupational therapist listed in the register maintained by the Health and Care Professions Council; or
(e) a social worker listed in the register maintained by the Health and Care Professions Council
The decision whether or not to grant Approved Clinician approval is governed by the Instructions with respect to the exercise of an Approval Function in relation to Approved Clinicians issued by the Department of Health.
First Time Application for Doctors on GMC Specialist Register in Psychiatry
Attendance at a validated two day AC induction course within 2 years prior to application, complete the application form without error and in full, submit with full CV, up to date CPD, course certificate and photo. References are taken, checks are run with GMC and NHS England, the application is sent or taken to panel for consideration as to your suitability for AC approval. You will be notified in writing of the panel decision. You must allow a minimum of 8 weeks to process the application.
Medical practitioners who are not section 12(2) approved will also need to attend a Section 12(2) Induction course.
For Application Form Click HERE
First Time Application for Doctors who are not on the GMC Specialist Register in Psychiatry
Must complete a full portfolio (further details in AC Approval - Portfolio) in addition to attendance at a validated two day AC induction course within 2 years prior to application, complete the application form without error and in full, submit with full CV, up to date CPD, course certificate and photo. References are taken, checks are run with GMC and NHS England, the portfolio will be taken to the next full Mental Health Act Approval Panel meeting for consideration as to your suitability for AC approval. You will receive notification in writing of the panel decision.
It is expected that medical practitioners have been Section 12(2) approved for at least 12 months before applying via the portfolio route.
Doctors who are in their final year of supervised psychiatric training recognised by the RCPsych
Must complete a two day Approved Clinician induction course within the two year period immediately preceding the date of application and provide evidence of attendance; complete the application form in full without error; provide a current ARCP with an outcome 6; In addition to the references provide the name of the programme director or a person the approving body considers to be equivalent to a programme director. Provide an up to date CV and evidence of an acting up or locum post.
For Application form Click HERE
First Time Application for Non Medical Practitioners
Applications are welcome from non-medical applicants who meet the above professional requirements. Non Medical Applicants must complete a full portfolio (further details in AC Approval - Portfolio) in addition to attendance at a validated two day AC induction course within 2 years prior to application, complete the application form without error and in full, submit with full CV, up to date CPD, course certificate and photo. References are taken, checks are run with GMC and NHS England, the application is taken to the next full Mental Health Act Approval Panel meeting for consideration as to your suitability for AC approval. You will receive notification in writing of the panels decisions. Practitioners must allow a minimum of 8 weeks to process an application.
For application form click HERE
For the Mental Health Act 1983 Instructions click HERE
For the powers of the Section 12(2) doctors and AC click HERE
Renewal of AC Approval all professions
Practitioners are required to renew their approval every five years.
All practitioners must attend a validated AC refresher course (medical practitioners do not need to attend a separate s12 course) with one year prior to submitting the application. The application form must be completed without error and in full and submitted with a Full CV, evidence of up to date CPD, photo and course certificate. References are sought. Checks are run with GMC and NHS England. Practitioners must allow a minimum of 8 weeks to process an application. The application is reviewed to ensure you continue to meet the requirement and you will be notified in writing of the outcome.
For Application form click link HERE
For Mental Health Act 1983 Instruction for AC Renewal click link HERE
The approvals team are happy to help and advise on any aspect of AC approval and to help with the process.
If you have any issues downloading any of the above files, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
