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Exam Information
Official specifications published by BCS
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PC-FOI Exam Topics and Domains
PC-FOI is organized into 6 weighted domains.
The Legislation, Codes of Practice and Ethics within Public Authorities
Public authorities covered by the Freedom of Information Act
State the different public authorities that are covered by the Freedom of Information Act
Governance in a public authority
Describe the need for governance in a public authority
Codes of practice and legislation relevant to data in a public authority
State codes of practice and legislation relevant to data in a public authority
Ethics and legislation
Describe the difference between ethics and legislation
The Scope and Principles of the Freedom of Information Act
Purpose of the Freedom of Information Act legislation
Explain the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act legislation
Principles the FOIA legislation is based on
Describe the principles the FOIA legislation is based on
Schedule 1 - amendment and application
Explain the purpose of Schedule 1, showing how it is amended and applied
Relationship between FOIA and the private sector
Explain the relationship between the Freedom of Information Act and the private sector
Who and what is covered by FOIA
Explain who and what is covered by the Freedom of Information Act
Obligations and Responsibilities
Good practice in records management
Explain good practice in relation to record management
Publication schemes
Explain the use of publication schemes
Handling and analysing FOI requests
Apply knowledge of access rights including FOIA and codes of practice 2018 in handling and analysing a request and responding
Fees, regulations and costs
Describe fees, regulations and costs associated with a request for information
Time deadlines for requests
Apply the time deadlines to the request for information
Disclosure, Non-Disclosure and Exemptions
Exemptions from disclosure
Apply exemptions from disclosure
Environmental Information and Personal Data
Environmental Information Regulations (EIR)
Explain the Environmental Information Regulations and the relevance and differences to the FOIA
Data Protection Act principles and lawful decisions
Explain the principles and lawful decisions in regards to the Data Protection Act
The Enforcement and Appeals Process
Enforcement powers
Describe enforcement powers
Offences in relation to disclosure
Describe offences in relation to the disclosure of information
Appeals process
Describe the appeals process
How do I earn this certification?
Passing PC-FOI earns the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information certification. It sits in the Information Security and Data Protection track.
- PC-DP - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- PC-IRM - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Information Risk Management
- PC-IAA - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Information Assurance Architecture
- PC-DP - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data ProtectionComplementary qualification covering DPA 2018 and UK GDPR in depth, directly related to the data protection elements of FOI
- FC-ISMP - BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management PrinciplesBroader information security foundation that provides context for FOI within wider information governance
- PC-IRM - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Information Risk ManagementComplementary risk management skills relevant to managing FOI-related information risks
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for PC-FOI is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Information Managers and FOI Practitioners.
- Good standard of written English
- Some prior understanding of freedom of information law
- Legal training or experience of applying the law
- Attendance at a BCS accredited training course (strongly recommended)
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