AMTRA Marketing Authorisation Holders Representatives Scheme

The Animal Medicines Industry has long recognised the need to train those people that work within it. Since 1974, the industry's Code of Practice has required staff to be trained.

In addition to manufacturing companies' own training scheme for their sales teams, it was decided that an independent industry qualification be established to reassure their customers, regulatory authorities and the government that animal medicines were being sold in a responsible way.

Therefore, in 1991, NOAH and AMTRA launched the qualification - The Animal Medicine Manufacturers' Sales Staff Register. This was drawn up to ensure that all manufacturing companies' representatives undergo thorough training and possess sufficient veterinary and technical knowledge to present information on the company's products in an accurate and responsible manner.

It is a requirement of NOAH membership and participation in the NOAH Compendium that all companies' sales representatives involved in the direct technical selling of medicines (other than those on free sale) are registered with AMTRA and take the examination within two years of joining the industry. Content of the newly revised AMTRA training manual is relevant to all classes of product for large and companion animal use. This Training Manual provides information on animal production and physiology, animal health, and animal medicine legislation with the facility for some specialisation towards the detail of relevant sectors.

• Form to enrol with AMTRA
• Form to book an examination

NOAH Certificate in Animal Health

From January 2011 maintenance of the register of animal health representatives currently registered with AMTRA under the MAH scheme will switch to NOAH. From next year, NOAH will co-ordinate the register and arrangements for training courses and examinations.

The current AMTRA MAH qualification will be known as the NOAH Certificate in Animal Health (NCAH) from 2011.

All holder of an MAH qualification will automatically qualify for the NCAH and these will be issued retrospectively. In order to effect a seamless transfer of responsibilities, it is intended that all existing dates booked with Harper Adams University College for training courses and examinations in 2011/2, i.e. those shown on the AMTRA website until January 2012, will go ahead as planned. Any new registrations and exam bookings made in 2010 - including exam bookings for 2011 - should continue to be made via AMTRA.

This change will enable NOAH to be more closely involved as the scheme evolves, and AMTRA to focus on what has become the dominant part of its activities in recent years, namely acting as the registration body appointed by the Secretary of State to deal with Suitably Qualified Persons. It will also enable both organisations to communicate more effectively about the two distinct groups of individuals that until now have both been managed by AMTRA.

This change will have no impact on AMTRA's activities in relation to SQPs, including accreditation of CPD for SQPs which will continue to be done by AMTRA.

Module descriptors The links below provide the descriptions of the modules. One is at level I which is equal to second year degree level: at 30 credits this is 0.25 of a year's study. The other module is at level M which is equal to masters level: this again is 30 credits and requires the candidate to successfully complete the AMTRA Manufacturers' Certificate and produce a master's level report. This can then be used within a Postgraduate course either at Harper or other Institution that accepts Credit Transfer.

Some of the documents on this page, in common with others on this site, require the use of the free Acrobat Reader program. This is normally installed on most computers, but if not you can download it on the Adobe website.

There are a number of candidates that have used these credits as part of Higher Education award.

• AMTRA MA Holder Representative - Intermediate Level
• AMTRA MA Holder Representative - Masters Level

Exam paper samples

• Sample MAH Reps scheme exam paper I - specimens A, B and C
• Sample MAH Reps scheme exam paper II - specimens A, B and C

2010-2012 exam and course dates

Note that, although NOAH will be managing the register from 2011 (see note above), any new registrations and exam bookings made in 2010 - including exam bookings for 2011 - should continue to be made via AMTRA.

6-10 September 2010 (Exam 23-24 September 2010)

10-14 January 2011 (Exam 24-25 January 2011)
4-8 April 2011 (Exam 19-20 April 2011)
18-22 July 2011 (Exam 28-29 July 2011)
12-16 September 2011 (Exam 26-27 September 2011)

9-13 January 2012 (Exam 26-27 January 2012)

This page last updated 10/08/2010