How to complete your membership progression form
This information is for existing RCC members only
Existing RCC members wishing to progress their membership level should apply to do so by completing and submitting a Membership Progression Form, available via the link below:
RCC Membership progression form 2024/25
Your completed form needs to demonstrate M-level credit achievement commensurate with the level of membership applied for.
Credit requirements are as follows:
LRCC to MRCC = 60 chiropractic-relevant credits
MRCC to FRCC = 120 chiropractic-relevant credits
Specialist Faculty Associate to Specialist Faculty LRCC = 60 faculty-relevant credits
Specialist Faculty LRCC to Specialist Faculty MRCC = 60 faculty-relevant credits
Specialist Faculty MRCC to Specialist Faculty FRCC = 60 faculty-relevant credits
M-level credits are achieved through completion of formal, university-accredited, chiropractic-relevant postgraduate modules/awards and/or (with the exception of applicants overseas) through completion of other activities recognised by the RCC as equivalent.
The information below includes details of the M-level credit tariff for those activities/achievements recognised by the RCC. In each case, guidance is provided regarding:
- the information to be included in your membership progression form, and
- the evidence to be attached, as applicable.
Note that you may mix and match a range of activities/achievements to achieve your required M-level credit target.
Formal postgraduate qualifications
Individual M-level modules – number of credits varies
Postgraduate certificate (PGCert) – 60 credits
Postgraduate diploma (PGDip) – 120 credits
MSc/MS/MA/MPhil -180 credits
PhD/DChiro – 180 credits
Activities and achievements recognised by the RCC as equivalent to M-level
Certificated qualifications
CCEP – 20 credits
DACBR – 180 credits
ICSSD / ICCSP / ICSC (awarded by FICS) – 60 credits
BMAS Certificate of Basic Competency (CoBC) – 20 credits
BMAS Diploma in Medical Acupuncture (DipMedAc) – 60 credits (includes 20 credits from CoBC)
Options for Animals Professional Certificate in Animal Chiropractic (PCAC) – 60 credits
Options for Animals Professional Diploma in Animal Chiropractic (PDAC) – 120 credits
Options for Animals Master Practitioner in Animal Chiropractic (MPAC) – 180 credits
IAVC Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic – 60 credits
Good clinical care
Clinical Management Quality Mark (CMQM) – up to 15 credits
Maintaining good practice
Reflective CPD – number of credits varies
Meeting patient expectations
Patient Partnership Quality Mark (PPQM) – up to 15 credits
Educating others
PRT Trainer – normally 10 credits per candidate mentored
Research
Peer-reviewed publications – up to 12 credits per article
Non-clinical activity
Committee work – normally 5 credits per year in the role
Individual M-level modules – number of credits varies
Many UK higher education institutions offer stand-alone modules that can be undertaken without registering for a postgraduate award (such as PGCert, PGDip etc). If you have completed such a module, please record this in the Formal Postgraduate Qualifications section of your membership progression form as ‘M-level module’ and provide the module title and number of M-level credits awarded in the subject column (along with the other details prompted in that section). You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement of the module, as provided by the awarding institution.
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) – 60 credits
Masters programmes offered by UK higher education institutions are typically modular in nature and have three exit points: Postgraduate Certificate (60 M-level credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 M-level credits) and MSc (180 M-level credits). If you have been awarded a PGCert, or are part way through a planned Postgraduate Diploma or MSc programme and have completed between 60 and 119 M-level credits to date, please record this in the Formal Postgraduate Qualifications section of your membership progression form and provide the other details prompted in that section. You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement as provided by the institution. You also need to attach an outline of the programme (from the University website or other source) which lists the modules studied.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) – 120 credits
Masters programmes offered by UK higher education institutions are typically modular in nature and have three exit points: Postgraduate Certificate (60 M-level credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 M-level credits) and MSc (180 M-level credits). If you have been awarded a PGDip, or are part way through a planned MSc programme and have completed between 120 and 179 M-level credits to date, please record this in the Formal Postgraduate Qualifications section of your membership progression form and provide the details prompted in that section. You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement as provided by the institution. You also need to attach an outline of the programme (from the University website or other source) which lists the modules studied.
MSc/MA/MPhil – 180 credits
If you have completed a postgraduate Masters degree, please record this in the Formal Postgraduate Qualifications section of your membership progression form and provide the details prompted in that section. You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement as provided by the awarding institution. You also need to attach an outline of the programme (from the University website or other source) which lists the modules studied.
Please note: A Masters degree that constitutes your primary chiropractic qualification does not count towards postgraduate progression.
PhD/DChiro – 180 credits
For the purposes of RCC membership, a doctorate is deemed to have a value of 180 M-level credits. If you have completed a doctorate, please record this in the Formal Postgraduate Qualifications section of your membership progression form and provide the details prompted in that section. You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement as provided by the awarding institution. Please also attach an outline of your studies, such as your thesis abstract.
CCEP – 20 credits
Successful completion of the Certified Chiropractic Extremities Practitioner (CCEP) course and certification examination is recognised as equivalent to 20 M-level credits for the purpose of RCC membership. If you have achieved CCEP certification, please record this in the Professional Certificated Learning section of your membership progression form and provide the details prompted in that section. You must attach your certificate as evidence of your certification.
DACBR – 180 credits
Chiropractic radiology is a specialised branch of chiropractic and the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology (ACBR) provides board certification examinations in this field. Chiropractors who undertake the training (approximately 4,000 hours in practical and didactic training during their three- to four-year full-time residencies), pass the certification process and maintain their continuing education requirements are eligible to use the designation of diplomate of the ACBR (DACBR). For the purposes of RCC membership, the RCC recognises the DACBR diploma as equivalent to 180 M-level credits. If you have achieved the DACBR diploma, please record this in the Professional Certificated Learning section of your membership progression form and provide the details prompted in that section. You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement as provided by the awarding institution.
ICSSD / ICCSP / ICSC – 60 credits
For the purposes of RCC membership, the RCC recognises achievement of ICCSD/ICCSP/ICSC as equivalent to 60 M-level credits. If you have achieved one of these awards, please record this in the Professional Certificated Learning section of your membership application form and provide the details prompted in that section. You must attach a certificate, letter or some other documentary evidence of your achievement.
BMAS Certificate of Basic Competency (CoBC) – 20 credits
BMAS Diploma in Medical Acupuncture (DipMedAc) – 60 credits (includes 20 credits from CoBC)
British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) accreditation is a two-stage process starting with the Certificate of Basic Competence (CoBC), followed by the Diploma in Medical Acupuncture (DipMedAc). Candidates must present evidence of attendance on the BMAS Foundation Course or another course(s) covering the approved curriculum. Candidates must be a registered health professional, and a current member of the BMAS.
Certificate in Medical Acupuncture
Diploma in Medical Acupuncture
Options for Animals Professional Certificate in Animal Chiropractic (PCAC) – 60 credits
Options for Animals Professional Diploma in Animal Chiropractic (PDAC) – 120 credits
Options for Animals Master Practitioner in Animal Chiropractic (MPAC) – 180 credits
The Options for Animals UK course has been set up to provide a vocational training seminar series in chiropractic for animals that provides plenty of hands-on learning. With its course updates, students can gain a certificate deemed by the RCC to be equivalent to 60 M level credits, or complete further study and attain Diploma or Master Practitioner qualifications (120 and 180 M level credit equivalents). The course is situated just north of Durham in picturesque surroundings and animals are always on site. www.optionsforanimals.co.uk
IAVC Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic – 60 credits
This programme covers current chiropractic and veterinary science, focusing on anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, and clinical diagnostics, management and techniques. Pro-dissection compliments extensive hands on practical sessions with both horses and dogs.
Clinical Management Quality Mark (CMQM) – up to 15 credits
If your clinic has achieved the RCC’s CMQM and you were directly involved in developing the application, this may be recognised as equivalent to a maximum of 15 M-level credits. Please indicate in the Other Professional Activity section of your membership progression form when your clinic’s first CMQM was achieved and indicate the extent to which you were personally involved in its preparation i.e. ‘one of a team of three involved’, ‘solely responsible for producing the application’ etc. The RCC will reserve the right to check the veracity of this statement.
Note that achieving the CMQM can only be recognised once for the purposes of RCC membership.
Reflective CPD – number of credits varies
Simply attending CPD events is not recognised by the RCC as M-level activity. However, reflecting on your learning in a meaningful and structured manner can be recognised for M-level credit-equivalence. In order to claim M-level credits for CPD activity, you must undertake a structured reflection of that activity. A Reflective CPD Form is provided for this purpose. Please note that:
- Typically, one M-level credit is awarded for 250 words of reflective writing such that greater detail can be rewarded with more credits;
- A maximum of 5 M-level credits can be awarded per CPD activity;
- A separate reflective CPD form should be completed for each activity for which you wish to claim credits.
Any completed reflective CPD form/s should be appended to your membership progression form.
Patient Partnership Quality Mark (PPQM) – Up to 15 credits
If your clinic has achieved the RCC’s PPQM and you were directly involved in developing the application, this may be recognised as equivalent to a maximum of 15 M-level credits. Please indicate in the Other Professional Activity section of your membership progression form when your clinic’s first PPQM was achieved and indicate the extent to which you were personally involved in its preparation i.e. ‘one of a team of three involved’, ‘solely responsible for producing the application’ etc. The RCC will reserve the right to check the veracity of this statement.
Note that achieving the PPQM can only be recognised once for the purposes of RCC membership.
PRT Trainer/Mentor – normally 10 credits per candidate
Successfully mentoring a PRT candidate throughout the course of their PRT programme can normally be recognised as equivalent to 10 M-level credits for the purposes of RCC membership progression. This means that, for example, a Licentiate of the Royal College who has successfully undertaken the role of PRT Trainer for six PRT candidates could achieve full RCC Membership (60 credits). In order to claim credits for this activity, you must download and complete a supplementary PRT Trainer Credit Form and append it to your membership progression form.
Peer-reviewed publications – up to 12 credits per article
Each article published in a peer-reviewed publication can be recognised for up to 12 M-level credits for the purposes of RCC membership, depending upon the applicant’s contribution. Please list any peer-reviewed articles in the Other Professional Activity section of your membership progression form and be sure to append paper reprints of each of these to your application form.
Committee work – normally 5 credits per year in the role
For each year you are an active member of a chiropractic-relevant committee, a maximum of 5 M-level credits are recognised for the purposes of RCC membership. Please outline any relevant committee activity in the Other Professional Activity section of your membership progression form and state the date you joined (and date you left) the committee, as applicable. The RCC will reserve the right to check the veracity of the information provided. Note that RCC central committee work and RCC Regional Faculty and Specialist Faculty roles, including Chair, PRT Tutor, Director of Academic Affairs/CPD Organiser and Secretary normally attract credits in this category.
