Following advice from the Committee for Training and the Independent Observed Clinical Activity Oversight Panel (IOCA OP), the Education Committee (EC) has approved the staggered implementation of the Stage 2 Independent Observed Clinical Activity (IOCA), and prioritising of Stage 3 IOCAs. This phased approach is intended to reduce the burden to supervisors and health services, while allowing more time for trainee transition and supervisor training, ensuring sufficient availability of independent assessors for the IOCA implementation.

For more details and IOCA information for Trainees and Partially Comparable SIMGs please refer to the FAQs on the CCPR webpage.

IOCA Implementation Timelines

• The Stage 3 IOCA will be available from August 2025
• The Stage 2 IOCA is scheduled to begin in August 2026

The current Clinical Competency Assessment–Modified Portfolio Review (CCA–MPR) will continue until the launch of the Clinical Competency Portfolio Review (CCPR) in September 2026. Special considerations will be in place to support transitioning trainees and SIMGs, to ensure no disadvantage during the transition.

The eligibility requirement of completing a Stage 2 IOCA will be waived for trainees applying for the CCPR in September 2026. Trainees who complete their final Stage 2 rotation or take an approved break in training in August 2026 or earlier will be exempt from the Stage 2 IOCA requirement when applying for the CCPR in the future.

The College will complete the development of training resources for Stage 3 IOCAs by early 2025, with supervisor training sessions on conducting an OCA/IOCA assessment scheduled to begin in March 2025. The OCA/IOCA assessment forms are being reviewed to include mandatory and specific feedback from supervisors on each assessment domain as well as the option for patients to provide feedback, adding valuable evidence for the ratings in each area.

In 2025, we will be establishing the Progression Competence Panel (PCP) to oversee the delivery of CCPR and assessment criteria. The PCP will apply the principles consistent with the current CCA-MPR assessment process to determine CCPR outcomes. Candidate’s progress will be assessed using holistic decision-making and reviewed in the context of overall performance, based on evidence of candidate’s competence across domains and judged to end-of-stage 3 standards. CCPR assessment approaches are currently in consultation with relevant committees and stakeholder groups, and the relevant outcomes will be documented and will be accessible in the consultation hub.

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