About the OCQ(AHP)s

What is covered by each OCQ(AHP) course?

The table below shows a brief overview of the OCQ(AHP) curriculum, with a fuller explanation of each qualification underneath this table.

OCQ(AHP) - ATT Approved Tuberculin Tester

The OCQ(AHP) - ATT course provides the training required for a paraprofessional to conduct TB skin testing under the direction of an Approved Veterinary Supervisor (AVS). This course will initially be run as a pilot trial of 10 OV Practices. Only those Practices which have been nominated by APHA will be eligible to enrol on the course during the pilot. The course covers:

1. Working on behalf of the Government
2. The legal basis for the control of TB in England
3. TB control measures used in England
4. How to carry out TB testing on cattle in full compliance with APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) Tuberculosis Testing Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures 
5. How to correctly identify all test reactions (and other suspicious signs of disease) at each TB test undertaken and refer to an AVS for interpretation according to the Tuberculosis Testing instructions issued by APHA
6. How to initiate and complete post TB test procedures for cattle appropriate to the results and as required by APHA 
7. How to complete and process official TB paperwork and certification for cattle in compliance with both legal and APHA requirements 

The ATT will be audited by their AVS 6 months after passing the OCQ(AHP) - ATT training and will revalidate their OCQ(AHP) - ATT qualification every 2 years.

OCQ(AHP) - CSO Certification Support Officer

The OCQ(AHP) - CSO course provides the training required for a paraprofessional to work under the direction of a Certifiying Officer (CO) to collect the evidence required for the CO to complete Export Health Certificates for Products of Animal Origin. The course covers:

1. Working on behalf of the Government
2. The regulatory structure which sets the required standards for certification undertaken by COs with the assistance of the CSO 
3. The code of conduct for certification 
4. How to assess and monitor production processes 
5. How to collect the evidence required before a commodity can be certified for export
6. The principles of certification and how these are applied to export certification
7. How to complete supporting documents required for export certification in compliance with official requirements and utilising appropriate guidance 
8. The implications of irregular/incorrect certification 

After passing OCQ(AHP) - CSO training, the CSO will be required to revalidate their OCQ(AHP) - CSO qualification every 3 years.