Credit for prior work experience

Your student is responsible for applying for credit for prior work experience when they register as a student. You will need to agree that your student can gain credit for prior work experience before they apply.

What counts as credit for prior work experience?

Applications for credit for prior work experience will usually be successful if students can demonstrate that the following criteria have been met: 

• the experience must have been gained with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer or principal; 
• the experience includes a minimum of 65 days of practical work experience; 
• the experience was gained within the 24 months prior to registration; 
• the experience must be relevant, of a technical nature, properly supervised and performed satisfactorily; 
• the student must have satisfied the minimum academic requirements to enter a training agreement; 
• all parties agree to the application; and 
• the student was not employed on a casual basis. 

Applications must be accompanied by a record of the work experience and confirmation from the qualified person responsible for training (QPRT) that they agree to the application. 

How much credit can students apply for?

The amount of credit that can be applied for depends on the length of the training agreement: 

Applying for credit for prior work experience

Your student is responsible for applying for credit for prior work experience when they register as an ACA student by completing the credit for prior work experience form and returning it to applications@icaew.com.

• Download the form

The application must include a record of the work experience and confirmation from the QPRT that they agree to the application.