SPs setting up before 30 June do not need to "apply" to the SRA to do so. All they need to do is notify the SRA that they have set up as SPs within 14 days of doing so and they will be put on the system and on 1 July passported over to become recognised SPs.

If they tell the SRA on or soon after 1 July that they set up immediately before 1 July they should still be passported over. There is no required form for the pre-July formalities, although we understand those who deal with the administration devised a form because it is the easiest way to collect the information they need to put new practices on the system. It would, therefore, be sensible to complete this form. Even if it is not processed by the 1 July they should still be treated as practising at 1 July and eligible to be passported.

If, however, they set up on 1 July or after that date they will need to complete the new form for recognition (RSP1). It is anticipated that recognition will take up to 30 days, although if the SRA are notified of some urgency with an application they will try and meet any requested deadline. This will mean that those wanting to set up as SPs after 1 July will need to factor in the period required for recognition when deciding when to start trading.