Become an Approved Tuberculin Tester (ATT)
How to get and maintain an ATT qualification, and what to do if you want to end your authorisation.
Applies to England and Wales
ATTs are non-veterinary personnel who are authorised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to carry out statutory tuberculin (TB) skin testing of cattle in England and Wales only. They are also known as Animal Health Paraprofessionals (AHPs).
All ATTs are authorised under the policy for authorisation of approved tuberculin testers (TR541). You must read this document before becoming an ATT and refer to it while you’re authorised.
To get authorised as an ATT, you must:
- be regarded by the Agency as suitable for carrying out tasks on behalf of ministers, taking into account any previous performance as an official
- hold the Official Controls Qualification (OCQ)(AHP) - ATT
- work as part of a veterinary business and have a named Approved Veterinary Supervisor (AVS) and one or 2 deputy supervisors (AVSd)
Training and requirements
Eligibility
To enrol in the ATT training you must:
- be at least 18 years old when you apply
- have passed identification and basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
- have at least 6 months’ livestock handling experience
- have at least 3 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in maths, English, and a science subject or food production, or 3 years’ experience in a government regulatory role
- have your employer declare that you’re eligible to do the training
Register with Improve International
To become an ATT you must complete the Official Controls Qualification (OCQ)(AHP) - ATT qualification.
Register with Improve International to access the ATT training
Complete the ATT course and exam
The first part of your training will consist of an online course and exam.
After you have passed the exam, APHA will grant you conditional authorisation to complete the practical training and assessment.
Get conditional authorisation and complete the practical training
These steps must be completed before APHA will grant you conditional authorisation to start your practical training.
- You must nominate an Approved Veterinary Supervisor (AVS).
- Your supervisor must accept the AVS role and appoint at least one deputy (AVSd).
- You must apply to enrol in Sam, APHA’s online system for recording TB test results.
When you have completed these steps, APHA will grant you conditional authorisation so you can complete the ATT practical training and assessment.
You must not start any TB testing until you have received confirmation of your conditional authorisation by email.
Get full authorisation to become an ATT
When you have completed your qualification and practical training, APHA’s OV team will grant your full ATT authorisation.
Authorisation can take up to 10 working days. You’ll be notified by email if you’re successful.
Maintaining your qualification and authorisation
Your OCQ(AHP) - ATT qualification must be revalidated 2 years after the initial authorisation and then every 4 years, by completing an online course and exam. Improve International will send you reminders of your revalidation deadline by email.
Your testing will also be audited by your AVS 4 to 6 months after passing the practical assessment.
What happens if you do not maintain your qualification
If you do not revalidate by the deadline your authorisation will be suspended and you’ll have 6 months to revalidate it before it expires and your Sam access is revoked. If you complete your revalidation within the period of suspension, APHA’s OV team will arrange for your Sam access to be reinstated.
If your authorisation expires you’ll need to complete your ATT training again.
Extensions and exceptions
You can apply for an extension or exception if you cannot complete:
- the OCQ(AHP) - ATT training requirements within the period of conditional authorisation
- your revalidation within the deadline
Extensions and exceptions can only be considered in certain situations. Details can be found in the TR588 application form.
Request extension or exception to OCQ training requirement (TR588).
Maintaining your ATT records
You are responsible for making sure all your details recorded on Improve International are correct.
Change your name or transfer to another practice on Sam
If you change your name or practice, you must update your details on Sam.
To do this you must first update your Improve International account information, and then complete either the:
Your Sam details will be updated within 10 working days.
How to stop being an ATT
You can either:
- deregister as an ATT (form OV56), or
- allow your authorisation to expire by choosing not to revalidate your qualification(s)
Deregistering as an ATT will stop all official ATT communications. If you do not deregister, official communications related to your qualifications will stop soon after your qualifications expire but you will continue to receive some ATT briefing notes.