How Much Does it Cost to Train as a Police Station Representative

⚠ For PSR training — not legal advice. This article is for educational purposes and is general information only, not legal advice. Police Station Representatives and accredited reps must apply their own professional judgment to the facts of each case. AccrediLaw provides training; we do not provide legal advice.

The Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) Pricing

PSRAS Price Comparison

The Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) is the scheme through which representatives are accredited to advise suspects at the police station. The scheme is overseen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and is the recognised route to accreditation for representatives undertaking police station work. Most firms carrying out criminal legal aid work rely on accredited representatives to advise and assist clients at this stage.

Accreditation under the PSRAS requires the successful completion of three core assessment elements, all of which are prescribed under the scheme:

The Written Examination

Underpinning legal knowledge and understanding of police station procedure.

The Portfolio

Evidence of competence in practice across real or simulated attendances.

The Critical Incidents Test (CIT)

Applied judgement under pressure in a live custody scenario.

Each element assesses a different aspect of competence, and all three must be completed in order to achieve accreditation.

AccrediLaw provides structured training and assessment support to candidates progressing through the PSRAS. Our approach is grounded in practical police station decision-making and supported preparation, rather than isolated assessment booking.

Routes to the PSRAS Accreditation

There are two recognised routes through the PSRAS, depending on whether a candidate is exempt from the written examination:

Route 1 | Exemption Route

Applies to candidates who are exempt from the written examination and are required to complete the portfolio and Critical Incidents Test only.

Route 2 | Full

Applies to candidates who are not exempt from the written examination, including those with limited prior legal training or experience of police station work.

AccrediLaw supports candidates on both routes, ensuring that the required assessment elements are completed alongside structured preparation and ongoing tutor support appropriate to the candidate’s background and level of experience.

Training options compared. AccrediLaw is not currently authorised by the SRA to deliver the PSRAS assessment; the assessment is delivered by SRA-authorised assessment organisations. This comparison is between training providers, not accreditation routes.

	SRA-authorised assessment organisations	AccrediLaw
Pricing structure	Per-element fees, with optional support packages or voucher bundles	Tier-based. Training £750 (3 × £250). Full Accreditation £1,980 (pending SRA authorisation*)
PSRAS regulated assessments (Written Exam, Portfolio, CIT)	Written £215–230, Portfolio £240–270, CIT £205–230 (+ VAT where applicable)	Candidates sit the assessments with an SRA-authorised assessment organisation. Included in the Full Accreditation tier when and if AccrediLaw is granted SRA authorisation*
Training and preparation	Optional support packages or structured taught courses; voucher bundles available	Modules B–G, 25-minute tutor introduction call, email tutor support, progress dashboard (Training tier)
Resits	Resit at the standard assessment fee	Included in the Full Accreditation tier (unlimited attempts with 14-day reset) when and if authorised*
Marking turnaround	6–8 weeks	3 days (for AccrediLaw-administered components when authorised*)

***** AccrediLaw is not currently authorised by the SRA to deliver the PSRAS assessment; an application for authorisation is in preparation following formal notice of intention given to the SRA in January 2026. The PSRAS Written Examination, Portfolio Submission and Critical Incidents Test will be included in the AccrediLaw programme when and if authorisation is granted. Until then, candidates completing AccrediLaw training sit the regulated assessment with one of the SRA-authorised assessment organisations listed on the SRA’s website.

Choosing a PSRAS training provider

The PSRAS assessment, which leads to accreditation, is administered by the SRA-authorised assessment organisations listed on the SRA’s website (sra.org.uk). AccrediLaw is an independent training provider preparing candidates for that assessment.

When candidates compare training options, the practical questions usually are:

Preparation Depth

How much structured preparation is included, and how it is delivered.

Feedback Quality

Whether feedback is detailed, timely, and aligned with PSRAS marking criteria.

Flexibility

How adjustable the preparation and any associated assessment booking is.

Inter-Milestone Support

What additional support is available between assessment milestones.

Exemption Alignment

Whether the preparation is tailored to a candidate’s exemption status — some candidates are exempt from the PSRAS written examination; others are not.

AccrediLaw’s training is designed around these questions; pricing for each tier is set out on the Pricing page.

AccrediLaw provides PSRAS training, not legal advice. See our About page for context on this content.