The document below is designed for conservator-restorers thinking of presenting themselves for assessment and accreditation through the PACR scheme. It can also be downloaded as a Word file or as a PDF document:

Introduction for Potential Candidates (Word File) (63Kb)
Introduction for Potential Candidates (PDF File) (49Kb)

The PACR accreditation scheme is owned by the Institute of Conservation and operated by three participating bodies: Institute of Conservation, the Society of Archivists and the British Horological Institute. For a full explanation of all aspects of the scheme, look at the relevant documentation, particularly the candidate pack which is available from this Web site (http://www.pacr.org.uk/candidate.html) or in hard copy from your Professional Body. These and other sources of help are listed at the end of this document.

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13 Urban Myths About Accreditation (Word File) (35Kb)
13 Urban Myths About Accreditation (PDF File) (16Kb)

What is PACR accreditation?
The PACR scheme is the principal professional qualification in conservation-restoration, denoting that the accredited practitioner is a fully-qualified and capable professional.

The PACR accreditation framework applies a common standard across the profession, regardless of the route you have taken to reach a professional level of capability, your specialism, or the context in which you practice.

The accreditation framework consist of three components:

1. a process for accrediting professional capability against explicit standards that are owned by the profession (the assessment and accreditation process)
   
   
2. a system for ensuring maintenance and enhancement of professional capability through ongoing learning and development (continuing professional development – CPD )
   
   
3. a means of removing accredited status from practitioners who fail to maintain a minimum standard of practice and ethics (the disciplinary procedure).

Why is this different to other qualifications?
PACR is a professional membership qualification, rather like RIBA for architects or AMA in the museums sector. Unlike an academic qualification, accreditation is subject to certain ongoing requirements: a commitment to continuing professional development, adherence to professional guidelines and codes of ethics*, and continued membership of a participating conservation organisation. Non-compliance with these criteria could result in removal of accredited status.

* For the purposes of the scheme and to ensure consistency, the jointly agreed code against which the standards are set is the E.C.C.O. code, alongside any additional membership code used by your professional body. [Back]

Once accredited you can add the designation ACR after your name and use the official PACR logo on your correspondence and promotional literature. Accredited status will inform employers and clients that you are an experienced and reliable conservator who is able to work unsupervised. Your status will be raised to a level comparable with other professions you may work alongside, such as architects, accredited / registered curators and archivists, and you will have the added satisfaction that your peers acknowledge your qualities as a conservator-restorer.

Is this scheme designed specifically for private or public sector practitioners?
The scheme is designed for, and operated by, a balance of practitioners from both the private and public sectors. It is open and applicable to both sectors. Assessors are also drawn from both sectors.

Is accreditation just for professional 'high fliers'?
No, you do not have to be in charge of a department or manage a large business. You can be part of a team, a sole trader or an independent consultant. Accreditation assesses the quality of your work and your professionalism, not your current job position.

How experienced are most people who apply?
This can vary from individual to individual but most people apply about 5 years after undertaking their primary conservation training (e.g. a degree or MA), or 8 -10 years after working in conservation including practical training.

How do I know if I am eligible?
You need to have a thorough understanding of the different aspects of conservation practice as specified in the professional standards described in the PACR documentation. An overview of the standards can be seen in the diagram at the end of this document.

Does the scheme cover all kinds of conservation-restoration?
PACR caters for conservator-restorers involved in remedial work on objects; for conservators involved in preventive conservation and collections care and for conservation managers, advisors and tutors. Any specialism can be accommodated and there is a common standard of assessment across the different specialisms.

How will I be assessed?
After you have submitted a detailed application form describing your work on up to six recent projects, which is signed by two sponsors, two assessors will spend the day with you at your place of work. They will be looking at examples of current and past projects and discussing with you the different aspects of your work. They will be checking to see that your professional practice meets the professional standards (see the last page of this document). To ensure parity across the different specialisms, one assessor will be from your own field and the other from a different field. One of the assessors will also be familiar with your working situation; for example, if you are a private conservator one of your assessors will be as well.

Are the Assessors trained?
Yes, they are themselves accredited and have been trained to provide a fair and consistent approach.

What do I have to present on the day?
Preferably a good proportion of the projects described in your application form. If, unavoidably, objects have to be returned before the date of the assessment, then your documentation, supported by a witness form, may provide some of the evidence which assessors can discuss with you. You may also show other work - not described on the form - completed or in progress, which assessors can discuss with you. If you undertake practical treatments on objects then the assessors will need to see enough of your work to be convinced that you can undertake treatments to a high standard.

Alternatively if you are applying primarily as a preventive conservator you will need to show evidence of how you made decisions and how your strategies are being put into practice. Normally the assessor will require access to a collection, site or group of objects relating to your work. The assessors are there to explore your work; it is up to you to collect together the necessary information which the assessors will need to see, and to present your case well.

For some conservator-restorers, embarking on a major project can mean that recent work does not reflect the conservator-restorer's full range of skills. Alternatively, if you are working on architectural features or different collections you may have worked at geographically distant sites. Again, these situations can be compensated for by thorough documentation and/or by the assessors meeting you on site.

For conservation managers, advisors and tutors evidence presented at your assessment will need to show that you are following and implementing the PACR standards.  They need to do this convincingly, but depending on the area of the standards and the nature of your work, they may do it directly or by implication. Further guidance will be available following the pilot to be completed early 2008.

What happens after the assessment?
The assessors will record their findings, which you will see, and these will be passed onto the Accreditation Committee who will make the final decision on your accredited status, on the basis of the information provided by you and your assessors.

What if I fail to be recommended for accreditation?
You will have seen the assessors' comments and may have further feedback from the Accreditation Committee. You are free to re-apply after a year. If you feel that the decision is wrong, you are able to appeal.

Is there any other possible outcome?
Yes, you may be asked to present some further evidence, either before the Accreditation Committee meets or as part of a reassessment but usually within a year.

How can I afford the time?
You are only likely to have to do this once in your career. Ideally you should complete the application in working time. Many employers encourage and support this. If you are self-employed, you will need to balance the investment of a relatively small amount of time against the advantages of being seen as professionally qualified. Whatever your circumstances it is worth considering this as an investment in your professional career, whether it is to gain professional recognition within your organisation or have a qualification that marks you out as fully qualified to clients and other professionals.

Is there a fee for the assessment process?
Yes, there is a non-refundable payment of £50 which needs to be sent in with your application to cover initial administration. You will be required to pay an assessment visit fee of £450 with your application form. Increasingly, employers are prepared to contribute towards these costs. If you are self-employed, you can claim the cost of accreditation as an expense on your accounts; if you are employed and paying for yourself, you may still be able to claim tax relief.

How long does the application process take?
The whole process - from the closing date for your submission to being told the result - takes from around 6 - 8 months.

Once accredited, is there anything else I have to do?
Yes – you are required to carry out regular reviews of your ongoing learning and development (Continuing Professional Development - CPD) and identify areas for further development. Your professional body will call in your review periodically; this is to ensure that you are maintaining your CPD and not to make judgements on its content.

An annual levy of £20 is charged (the Institute of Conservation include this within their membership fee) to cover the administration costs of maintaining the accreditation scheme which includes monitoring CPD.

Why should I go through this?
The profession realises that for the benefit of heritage objects and collections and for the public and owners, it is essential to be able to distinguish experienced, competent practitioners. Whatever your initial training, the only way of demonstrating your competence is by presenting evidence of your recent work to your peers. As the numbers of accredited conservator-restorers grow, so accreditation is gaining credibility and respect from employers and from clients. As a member of an increasingly accredited profession, your status and your rewards should gradually grow over the years. If you work in the commercial sector and your practice is on the Conservation Register, your continued inclusion will depend on being accredited.

Your own professional body and the Institute of Conservation are working to bring widespread recognition of accreditation. Various bodies, such as English Heritage and Historic Scotland, Area Museum Councils and Single Regional Agencies, the Council for the Care of Churches and the National Trust and NTS, are beginning to look for PACR accreditation. Directors and Heads of Conservation in national and other museums, libraries, galleries and archives are being made aware of the importance of accreditation and being encouraged to support their staff becoming accredited.

How do I find out more about accreditation?

• PACR website (www.pacr.org.uk)
• Contact Susan Bradshaw, Accreditation Manager
  tel/fax 01626 824510 or email: pacr <at> icon.org.uk *
  * To use this address, replace ' <at> ' with '@'.
• Attend a PACR introductory workshop and/or clinic.
• PACR events are promoted in Icon News, and on www.icon.org.uk and www.pacr.org.uk

And finally… Although the paperwork for assessment may look formidable, you are in essence only being asked to write about your own recent work. In practice most people have found that preparing the forms is not nearly as difficult or time-consuming as they feared.

Please see the summary of the PACR standards below. A full description of the PACR standards can be accessed on www.pacr.org.uk/candidate.html

Summary Professional Standards for Conservation-Restoration Professional judgement and ethics understanding principles and practice understanding the wider contexts of conservation-restoration critical thinking, analysis and synthesis openness to alternative methods and approaches understanding the ethical basis of the profession observing code of ethics and practice observing legal requirements responsibility for the care of cultural heritage responsible and ethical dealings with others respect for the cultural, historic and spiritual context of objects handling value-conflicts and ethical dilemmas understanding and acting within the limits of own knowledge and competence Primary conservation-restoration standards 1. Assessment of objects, collections and sites assessing and reporting on condition, assessing risks, identifying any problems to be solved 2. Conservation-restoration options and strategies identifying and evaluating options, negotiating courses of action for treatment or preventive measures 3. Conservation-restoration treatments undertaking treatments across a conservation-restoration discipline, including using relevant practical skills; developing and testing treatments; maintaining conservation records; advising on aftercare 4. Preventive measures advising on the care of collections and objects; implementing preventive strategies; planning to minimise the effects of disasters and emergencies; maintaining conservation records General professional standards 5. Organisation and management managing projects and workflow; client / internal and external relations; health and safety; security; records and reports; communication 6. Professional development maintaining up-to-date practice; extending and communicating knowledge; promoting conservation-restoration

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