Board of Examiner PCS Changes

BoE News

The BoE have made changes to the PCS scheme that will impact everyone. The headline takeaways are that the list of activities that you can undertake is broader and recording activities is now a "self-assessment" exercise with the onus on the participant to record their evidence for when there is an audit. These are welcome improvements.

You can read about it here (ED: As we were sending this, this KB article was changing!)

However, the devil is in the details found in a newly published guide. 

We would encourage all participants to read this guide very carefully. These were our takeaways:

NOTE #1:  From page 6:  the system is designed to only accept lodgements within the same certificate year the activity was undertaken, therefore the system will not permit out of date lodgements.   

So, make sure you lodge your activities this current year (which for 99% of you means prior to 10 Jun 2026.) Anything you lodge on the BoE PCS website after 10 Jun 2026 that you completed this year will not be recognised and therefore lost (from what we understand).

NOTE #2: The responsibility to ensure that submitted activities comply with CPD criteria transfers to the PCS holder.

Up to now, participants have become familiar with the ‘approved’ activities - the "Professional Development Opportunities" lists (eg this type of page), each with maximum hours per defined activity; however Appendix 3b Page 14 of the new guide lists more generic activities and their maximum hours you can claim for each activity lodged. It is now your responsibility to ensure the activities lodged comply with the acceptable CPD criteria. These can be audited at any time during your 5-year certificate period, and you must have kept supporting records to verify the activities lodged.

What this means for MyPCS.Expert?

Based on our research, we will likely add a page to the Participant Report to show a participant's progress across the subcategories. We will have more details in next month's newsletter.

MyPCS.Expert TIP...

Lodge your hours before the end of your cycle-year.  Lodgement of hours after the end of your cycle-year will not be recognised!  Set a reminder for 1 Jun 2026.

MyPCS.Expert Statistics

For most PCS participants whose cycle starts on 10 June each year, by 10 Dec 2025, this will represent 50% of the way through your year. Therefore, in theory, you should have accumulated 50% of your hours or at least have a solid plan in place.

Of those PCS participants who are using MyPCS.Expert who have less than 100% of their hours for this first year have, on average, achieved only 41% of their yearly minimum.

Need help understanding the PCS Scheme and what you need to do: install MyPCS.Expert now

What happens if I don't hold a Practising Certificate?

As taken from the BoE site....

You will not be a participant in the scheme; therefore, you will forgo your ability to work in a statutory role once the legislation enactment date passes. (10 Jun 2025) You will not be able to exercise your statutory function in Queensland.

This is further emphasised in the new PCS Guide Section 8, Page 9

If annual minimums or the overall total hours have not been met the PC may be suspended by the Board and any subsequent renewal request denied until the required hours have been achieved. During this time the individual cannot undertake any duties in a statutory role.  

Spread the word

MyPCS.Expert is free for participants. It provides a report with deep insights into your progress, tips on avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls associated with the PCS Scheme, and guidance on how to remain compliant.

MyPCS.Expert is a web browser extension that can be installed in 3 easy steps...

Sites and companies benefit from being able to see how their PCS Participants are tracking via their own "site" and "company" reports.

Contact us now for a demonstration of the Company and Site reports.