About your training review: Annual Review Competence Progression (ARCP)
What is the purpose of an ARCP?
An Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) takes place at the end of each training year to determine whether a trainee can move to the next year of their training programme. During core training, you should have an ARCP or an interim ARCP at the end of each placement.
The ARCP will look at your evidence, assessments and appraisal to confirm whether you have achieved the required competencies. It also includes planning for future training needs.
What happens at the ARCP?
The ARCP panel reviews your progress based on the evidence submitted and provides you with an outcome.
You are required to provide the ARCP panel with:
- structured reports from your educational supervisor
- clinical logbook
- portfolio
You may be required to provide all or some of this evidence electronically. For full details, check with your deanery about the ARCP process in your region.
The outcome of the ARCP will determine the rate at which you progress through the training programme. If you consistently underperform or fail to supply sufficient evidence to ARCP, they may be asked to leave the programme and will not be signed off as having completed their training programme at core or higher surgical training level.
How does your final ARCP differ from your annual ARCPs?
At the end of your core or higher surgical training programme, a final ARCP is needed to confirm the successful completion of your training programme.
For higher surgical training, you will need a successful ARCP outcome 6 along with a special advisory committee (SAC) endorsement of this outcome before being recommended to the GMC for certification by JCST. Learn more about ARCP and its outcomes.