Section 11 – The Certified Transactional Analyst Trainer and Supervisor of Practitioners (CTA TS) Examination
This section outlines eligibility, application, structure and procedures for the Certified Transactional Analyst Trainer and Supervisor of practitioners (CTA TS) examination, including teaching and supervision exams, board roles, and appeals.[file:23]
| Stage | Who is involved | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility & contract | PCTA TS, principal supervisor | Meeting CTA TS teaching and supervision requirements, holding a valid CTA TS training contract, and completing annual summary reports with the principal supervisor.[file:23] |
| Application | Candidate, principal supervisor, LES | Application form, supervisor’s certification, confirmation letter, Expression of Accessibility Requirements form, and documentation of teaching and supervision hours.[file:23] |
| Teaching exam | Candidate, exam board, volunteer audience | Dialogue with the board, 20‑minute teaching demonstration to an audience, questions from audience and board, assessment using the CTA TS Teaching Exam Scoring Sheet.[file:23] |
| Supervision exam | Candidate, exam board, supervisee | Dialogue about supervision philosophy, live supervision of a practitioner for up to 20 minutes (30 with translation), questions from board, assessment using the CTA TS Supervision Exam Scoring Sheet.[file:23] |
| Ethics/TA/organization exam | Candidate, exam board | Assessment of knowledge and application in ethics, exams, TA theory and professional organisation, using the CTA TS Ethics/Exams/TA Theory and Organisation scoring sheet.[file:23] |
| Outcome & appeals | Exam board, LES, appeal panel | Pass/defer decision, feedback, and access to the formal appeal procedure as set out in Section 9.10 and form 13.9.1.[file:23] |
Contents
- 11.1 General Introduction
- 11.1.1 Nature and purpose of the CTA TS examination
- 11.2 Eligibility and requirements for CTA TS examination
- 11.2.1 Introduction
- 11.2.2 CTA TS Requirements for Teaching
- 11.2.3 CTA TS Requirements for Supervision
- 11.2.3.1 Accredited Supervision for CTA TS Exam
- 11.2.3.2 The supervision hours
- 11.3 Applying for the Examination
- 11.4 Withdrawal from CTA TS examination
- 11.5 The CTA TS examination
- 11.5.1 Organization of the CTA TS examination
- 11.5.2 The CTA TS examination
- 11.5.3 The CTA TS exam sections description
- 11.5.4 The Board
- 11.5.5 Material to bring to the CTA TS teaching exam
- 11.5.6 The CTA TS Exam Process
- 11.5.7 At the end of the examination
- 11.5.8 Functions of Chairperson, Process Facilitator, Observer and Translator
- 11.5.9 No Exam
- 11.6 Appeal procedure
- 11.7 Documentation
11.1 General Introduction
Important. As part of PTSC’s commitment to fostering inclusive and psychologically safe learning and assessment environments, we invite all those involved in training and examinations to give careful consideration to any accessibility or support needs—whether their own or those of the candidate.[file:23] These needs may relate to neurodiversity, disability, mental or physical health, cultural or linguistic background, or other aspects of lived experience.[file:23] The Expression of Accessibility Requirements Form (13.4.7) is available as a structured means of identifying and communicating any adjustments or support that may enhance participation and performance.[file:23]
The aim of the CTA TS is to ensure a high level of competence in training and supervision of future CTA practitioners in each field of application.[file:23] CTA TS is a status recognised by EATA for members with EATA contracts, linked to a specific field, and allows the holder to provide TA training and supervision and to prepare candidates for the CTA examination.[file:23]
A CTA TS takes full responsibility towards their trainees and can sign only CTA training contracts.[file:23] Within two years of acquiring CTA TS certification, a CTA TS may decide to sign a TSTA training contract for up to five years in order to become a TSTA, after which the regular TSTA procedures apply.[file:23]
11.1.1 Nature and purpose of the CTA TS examination
The CTA TS examination assesses whether the candidate is competent to train and supervise practitioners up to CTA level in a specific field of application.[file:23] It focuses on training and supervision competences rather than on general TA practice, and is therefore distinct from the CTA and TSTA examinations.[file:23]
11.2 Eligibility and requirements for CTA TS examination
11.2.1 Introduction
To be eligible, the candidate must hold a current CTA TS training contract and have worked under this contract for a sufficient period, normally at least three years, with ongoing supervision from a principal supervisor.[file:23] The candidate must also have fulfilled the teaching and supervision requirements defined below and submitted the required documentation.[file:23]
11.2.2 CTA TS Requirements for Teaching
The candidate must be able to demonstrate a coherent programme of TA teaching for practitioners in their field.[file:23] Requirements include a sufficient number of hours of TA teaching, covering core TA concepts and their application, delivered under supervision and documented in annual summary reports.[file:23]
Teaching should show the ability to structure learning, integrate theory and practice, and attend to group process, ethics and diversity issues within the training group.[file:23]
11.2.3 CTA TS Requirements for Supervision
The candidate must demonstrate substantial experience in supervising practitioners towards CTA level, including individual and, where appropriate, group supervision.[file:23] Supervision must be documented and meet the criteria for accredited supervision described below.[file:23]
11.2.3.1 Accredited Supervision for CTA TS Exam
Supervision offered by the CTA TS candidate must be accredited by their principal supervisor and meet EATA standards regarding contracts, record‑keeping, ethics, and clarity of roles.[file:23] It must focus on developing the supervisee’s competence as a TA practitioner and preparing them for the CTA examination.[file:23]
11.2.3.2 The supervision hours
The candidate must complete the required number of supervision hours with CTA trainees as specified in the CTA TS contract and handbook.[file:23] Hours should be clearly logged, with distinctions between individual and group supervision and between different fields of application.[file:23]
11.3 Applying for the Examination
To apply, the candidate submits the Application Form for CTA TS Examination (13.11.3), the Principal Supervisor’s Certification for CTA TS Examination (13.11.4), and the Confirmation Letter for CTA TS Examination (13.11.5) to the Local Exam Supervisor (LES), together with required documentation.[file:23]
The file includes evidence of teaching and supervision hours, PCTA TS Annual Summary Reports (13.11.1), Principal Supervisor Annual Summary Reports (13.11.2), and the Expression of Accessibility Requirements Form (13.4.7) if applicable.[file:23]
11.4 Withdrawal from CTA TS examination
The handbook specifies conditions under which a candidate may withdraw from the CTA TS examination and how this affects fees and future eligibility.[file:23] Candidates need to inform the LES promptly if they decide to withdraw and follow the procedures set out by EATA.[file:23]
11.5 The CTA TS examination
11.5.1 Organization of the CTA TS examination
The CTA TS examination is organised by the LES in cooperation with the EATA Supervising Examiner, who ensures sufficient examiners, chairpersons, process facilitators and observers are available.[file:23] The exam follows procedures similar to those for the CTA oral examination, with adjustments for the CTA TS level and content.[file:23]
11.5.2 The CTA TS examination
The CTA TS examination typically comprises three sections: an ethics/exams/TA theory and organisation section, a teaching exam, and a supervision exam.[file:23] Each section is assessed using a specific scoring sheet and contributes to the overall pass/defer decision.[file:23]
11.5.3 The CTA TS exam sections description
Ethics, exams, TA theory and organisation section. This section assesses the candidate’s understanding of TA ethics, examination procedures, theoretical concepts and organisational responsibilities as a CTA TS.[file:23]
Teaching exam. The candidate demonstrates their teaching competence through a short, live teaching session with a volunteer audience, following an initial dialogue with the board.[file:23]
Supervision exam. The candidate demonstrates supervision competence by supervising a practitioner in the presence of the exam board and then answering questions regarding their supervision choices and rationale.[file:23]
11.5.4 The Board
The examination board usually consists of experienced TSTAs and/or CTA TS examiners, including a chairperson, and may include an observer.[file:23] Board members review the candidate’s documentation before the exam and are responsible for asking questions, assessing performance and voting on the outcome.[file:23]
11.5.5 Material to bring to the CTA TS teaching exam
The candidate must bring any teaching materials needed for their 20‑minute teaching demonstration, such as handouts, flipcharts or slides, and ensure that technical equipment (for example projector or audio) is available and functional.[file:23] The teaching session must be representative of an actual training session within the candidate’s practice and consistent with their declared theoretical model of learning and teaching.[file:23]
11.5.6 The CTA TS Exam Process
Before each section, the board reviews the candidate’s file.[file:23] The chair invites the candidate into the room, welcomes them and explains the procedure.[file:23]
Teaching exam. After a 10–15 minute dialogue with the board, the candidate presents a 20‑minute teaching demonstration to a volunteer audience and the board, followed by up to ten minutes of questions from the audience, which may be integrated into the session to make a 30‑minute block.[file:23] Further questions may then be asked by the board before they score the teaching exam.[file:23]
Supervision exam. The candidate begins with a dialogue with the board about their supervision philosophy, style, and guiding professional and ethical values.[file:23] The supervisee is then invited in and presents a case from their professional work; the candidate supervises for up to 20 minutes (30 with translation).[file:23]
At the end of the supervision piece, the supervisee leaves the room to protect both candidate and trainee, and the board may ask additional questions to explore competences that may not have been evident in the supervision.[file:23] The board then scores the supervision exam using the CTA TS Supervision Exam Scoring Sheet.[file:23]
11.5.7 At the end of the examination
At the end of the examination, the chairperson gives the candidate a copy of the Examiner Evaluation Form (13.7.14) to complete and return to the LES.[file:23] After the candidate has left the room, the observer gives feedback on the exam process to the board, which then has a brief closing discussion.[file:23]
The chairperson completes the board scoring sheet and returns it to the LES.[file:23]
11.5.8 Functions of Chairperson, Process Facilitator, Observer and Translator
The functions of the chairperson, process facilitator and observer in the CTA TS examination are the same as those described in Sections 9.4–9.6 of this handbook.[file:23] The function of the translator follows the guidelines in Section 9.8.3.[file:23]
11.5.9 No Exam
A “No Exam” may be declared by the LES if it is discovered that something is missing from the requirements, when a process facilitator has been called and no resolution is achieved such that it is not possible to complete the exam, or if the candidate requests a “no‑exam” prior to the exam when there are no examiners available in the candidate’s field.[file:23]
11.6 Appeal procedure
The same rules for appeals apply as in Section 9.10 of this handbook, and candidates use the Application Form for Appeal Examination (13.9.1).[file:23]
11.7 Documentation
Expression of Accessibility Requirements Form (13.4.7)
CTA TS Training Contract (13.6.2)
PCTA TS Annual Summary Report (13.11.1)
Principal Supervisor Annual Summary Report (13.11.2)
Application Form for CTA TS Examination (13.11.3)
Principal Supervisor’s Certification for CTA TS Examination (13.11.4)
Confirmation letter for CTA TS Examination (13.11.5)
CTA TS Ethics, Exams, TA Theory and Organization Scoring Sheet (13.11.6)
CTA TS Teaching Exam Scoring Sheet (13.11.7)
CTA TS Supervision Exam Scoring Sheet (13.11.6)
Examiners Evaluation Form (13.7.14)
Certificate of attendance at a WEW
Application form for Appeal Examination (13.9.1)