Following thorough consultation with the relevant education committees, including trainee representatives, the Education Committee has approved the extension of key implementation timelines:

• The Independent Observed Clinical Activity (IOCA), date has changed from November 2024 to August 2025.
• The launch of the Clinical Competency Portfolio Review (CCPR) is now scheduled for September 2026.

The current Clinical Competency Assessment–Modified Portfolio Review (CCA–MPR) will continue until the launch of CCPR.  

The rationale behind the decision stems from the recognised importance of adequately equipping supervisors. Making sure they are equipped with the training and resources suitable to support them in the assessment of trainee or SIMG performance. There will be a focus on developing shared understanding of ratings and providing narrative feedback for both OCAs and IOCAs.

We are working towards completing the development of training resources by early 2025, with training sessions for Supervisors introduced progressively.

Additionally, the extension of timelines will allow sufficient time to better communicate the IOCA processes with trainees, SIMGs, supervisors and health services to address further challenges arising in the implementation of IOCAs. This includes a commitment to provide support for online assessments and sourcing independent supervisors when needed.

The College continues its commitment to adopt a more programmatic assessment model in making progression decisions using longitudinal assessment data from the workplace-based training environment. This includes In-Training Assessments (ITAs), Observed Clinical Activities (OCAs), and IOCAs.

Please view the FAQs on the IOCA processes and the eligibility criteria for trainees and Partially Comparable Specialist International Medical Graduates on the CCPR webpage.  

Special consideration will also be given to trainees/SIMGs transitioning to the CCPR to ensure there is no disadvantage during the transition. Trainees who complete their final Stage 2 rotation or take an approved Break in Training in August 2025 or earlier will be exempt from the Stage 2 IOCA requirement when applying for the CCPR. For more details, refer to the FAQs on the website.

For any queries and feedback, please email clinicals@ranzcp.org