Learning and development standards
15 April, 2026
(3.15MB)
5 minute read
Learning and development standards for pre-registration education
Revised edition 2026
The Learning and development standards for pre-registration education describe the expectations of the profession that education providers must meet when delivering a pre-registration occupational therapy programme in the United Kingdom.
They matter to our entire profession as the Standards are used to assess teaching programmes and give confidence in the quality education of occupational therapists – essential to the future of the profession.
Download our revised and updated Learning and development standards
What happens to the 2019 revision?
There will be an 18-month changeover period from the launch of the 2026 revisied Standards in April 2026.
You can still access the 2019 Standards:
Learning and development standards for pre-registration education 2019 (PDF, 3.15MB)
Safonau dysgu a datblygu ar gyfer addysg cyn cofrestru 2019 (PDF, 3.2MB)
- Publication date: 2019
- PDF download: 78pp
Last updated September 2022
Updates to the 2019 Standards between 2019 and 2023
October 2023: Criterion 6.4.4 has been removed. Professional lead of all RCOT accredited programmes and those working towards RCOT accreditation, have been notified of the removal of criterion 6.4.4.
Criterion 6.4.4: Learners are prevented from progressing in the pre-registration programme if they fail their first attempt at consecutive practice-based learning components.
If you would like to discuss this change, please do not hesitate to contact Anna, Kath and Nicky within the quality assurance team ([email protected])
September 2022: In recognition of the introduction of the pre-registration doctoral level route into the profession, we have made amendments to the relevant aspects of the RCOT Learning and development standards for pre-registration education. You can find further background information on this decision in the 'Addition of pre-registration doctoral level route into occupational therapy in the UK' page.
April 2020: An amendment has been made to the guidance and evidence of section 4.1.2 which describes the normal length of an individual period of learning. Reference to a maximum duration of study, and to an exceptional extension to this period, has been permanently removed from the Standards. Programme teams will need to draw upon their own University's regulations and their related processes to make appropriate and proportionate decisions on progression for individual learners. RCOT will no longer be involved in the decision making process, bringing us into alignment with other professional bodies.
Accreditation
RCOT manages an Accreditation Process, using these Standards to assess whether a pre-registration programme, and the education provider that delivers the pre-registration programme, provides learners with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to competently and ethically meet the occupational needs of the community. This publication can be used both practically and as a reference tool for education providers, practice educators, learners, people who access occupational therapy services and any other stakeholders with an interest in the standards set by the professional body.
