The timetable for the implementation of the new distinctions frameworks for Associates and Fellowship has been released today, 21st October. Following review by a Working Group of a restricted survey of RPS members, the first panels will be assessed in September 2026 using the new frameworks...
The new timeline in full:
- October-November 2025 – survey to members who have submitted a portfolio for assessment (L, A and F). Link provided on website for comments by members who do not receive a survey.
- November-February – Working Group reviews the feedback.
- January-February – new programme of events is launched (see below for more details)
- January-February – improvements to current website Distinction journey (more on this below)
- January-June – Associate and Fellowship assessment panels continue using the current framework.
- February-March (approx.) – new Frameworks agreed and signed off by the Board.
- April-May (approx.) – launch of new distinction frameworks for Associate and Fellowship.
- September – first Associate and Fellowship assessment panels using the new framework.
A new programme of Distinction Support Events
In an email sent to all RPS members, CEO Victoria Humphries writes, "The Distinctions team will shortly introduce a new programme of events to improve support for all applicants and ensure that they all understand the purpose, standards and expectations of the level being applied for. We will be using the first six months of 2026 to trial these new events, alongside existing events, and consider how we might refine the support programme before the New Frameworks are launched."
The consultation process
On the consultation process, Victoria Humphries continues, "Some members have asked if they can see the latest draft of the New Frameworks. To ensure that we don’t have 11,000 people all feeding back, we have taken the decision to keep the Frameworks confidential to the consultees. However, to ensure we gain insights from member experiences of the current Frameworks, we are going to be sending out a survey to anyone who has submitted a portfolio for assessment at Licentiate, Associate or Fellowship. For Associate and Fellowship, it will be sent to everyone who has submitted in the last three years, and for Licentiate it will be sent to everyone who has submitted for the new Licentiate Framework which was introduced in July 2024. We would encourage you all to respond as the results of the surveys will also feed into our working group conversations.
If you have not yet submitted a portfolio and therefore won’t be receiving a survey, but have comments that you would like to make about any aspect of our distinctions programme, we will be providing a link to a form for further feedback on the website (we will notify members via email when this is live and will provide details of where to send the forms)."
Website improvements
The RPS is currently working behind the scenes to send out a briefing document to potential website design companies. In the meantime, rather than wait for the new website, they will be looking to significantly improve the Distinctions journey with much better signposting, a calendar with all events that are suitable for distinction applicants and hopefully fewer clicks to get where you want to go.
If you have any questions, you are invited to email the Distinctions Team on distinctions@rps.org.