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Accreditation

New competency-based accreditation

As of January 2023 EAAP offers a new competency-based accreditation scheme. The requirements and process is described in the EAAP Handbook for the Endorsement of Aviation Psychologists (AVPSY) and Aviation Human Factors Specialists (AVHFS). All members who wish to apply for accreditation are invited to follow the new scheme.

DOWNLOAD: FULL HANDBOOK
DOWNLOAD: OVERVIEW - VENN DIAGRAM
DOWNLOAD: COMPETENCY LIST
DOWNLOAD: CODE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Applicants for accreditation must:

  • Hold EAAP membership for min. 1 year membership before applying for accreditation
  • Demonstrate to the EAAP Board that Competency requirements are met
  • Attend at least two EAAP recognised courses / conferences (one for Junior Aviation Psychologists) and/or provide a personal reference by an EAAP Board member about their professional behaviour/ attitude/ work relevant to accreditation type (AP/HFS)
  • Sign up to the EAAP Code of Professional Practice (for members who joined prior to May 2021).

Note. All members who joined after May 2021, signed the EAAP Code of Professional Practice upon submission of their membership application.

EAAP accreditation is meant as a professional peer recognition for psychologists and aviation professionals who actively deal with human factors applications in their day-to-day work. It requires relevant proof of qualification, education and activities in aviation psychology and/or human factors. It is however not equivalent to any academic degree or postgraduate specialisation (e.g. psychotherapist).

You may apply for two accreditation categories:

How to submit my application for accreditation

To submit your application you will have to complete the Online Accreditation Survey and upload all available files for evidence, accessible in the EAAP member area. The EAAP board reviews all submitted application documents and evidence and decides on each endorsement individually.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to .

Background information on EAAP accreditation

EAAP offers accreditation (peer recognition) for aviation psychologists and human factors specialists since 1996.

With the publication of the new EASA regulations (EU Reg 2018/1042 amending 1178/2011 Part MED.B.055 and EU 965/2012 Part Ops AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.175b) the role of aviation psychologists (APs) has been strengthened and tasks in relation to mental health assessment (Part MED) and psychological risk assessment (Part Ops) have been specified. In line with the new regulatory requirements for accredited aviation psychologists, the EAAP accreditation criteria should be updated (e.g. EAAP currently does not check for special education/license in clinical vs. organisation psychology). It must be noted that EAAP recognises that the field of APs is broader than clinical and organisational psychology (training, investigation, safety management, selection etc.).

At the same time the role of human factors specialists (HFS) in the aviation industry has also changed. More and more organisations recognise the need to integrate human factors into their operations and new areas of expertise are arising (e.g. user experience, usability engineering, flight deck/ automation design, etc.) beyond the well-established ones (e.g. CRM, FRMS, peer support, stress management).

As a consequence EAAP has recognised the need to review the current criteria for accreditation of both aviation psychologists and human factors specialists. A dedicated work group was formed to describe a list of competencies (skills, knowledge, attitudes/abilities) for APS and HFS including a framework and associated competency levels (novice, intermediate, advanced) to assess these competencies more objectively. Draft results will be presented in Sept 2020 with the final version aiming to be ready by Sept 2021. In line with EAAP accreditation requirements, the EAAP membership scheme will also be reviewed.

Until the new accreditation criteria are ready, existing criteria will of course apply. However, the EAAP Board reserves the right to apply a more detailed evaluation where needed. In order to facilitate assessment of the accreditation requirements by the EAAP Board, please make sure that you include a detailed description of your the relevant knowledge and skills in your CV.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to

Last update: 13/02/2023