Intro text
I am an OVID inspector….
Why has OCIMF taken the decision to cancel all courses?
The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting travel both, within PRC and internationally. Many countries are providing their citizens with health and travel advice reflecting that available from the WHO. As the situation continues to develop that advice has changed with several governments issuing advice ranging from suspending all travel to enforcing a quarantine period on those travellers who may have visited affected areas. This has added a further layer of complexity to the management of Inspector courses. OCIMF has therefore decided to suspend all OVID refresher courses and new-inspector courses for the year 2020.
How will this cancellation affect my OVID accreditation?
OCIMF will provide extensions of a period of 12months to all inspectors whose accreditations are expiring in 2020. Please note that these extensions are temporary, and all accreditation cycles will be brought in line with original accreditation dates in the following year. This extension will provide a relief on the requirement to take refresher courses for a period of 12 months. Therefore, as an example, if an inspector were to have an accreditation expiry date of 31 October 2020, they will find their accreditation expiry date extended by 12 months to 31 October 2021. When the inspector takes their refresher course and gets reaccredited, they will have their accreditation renewal date reinstated to 31 October 2023.
My OVID application was approved but the new inspector course was cancelled, will I be able to attend an alternative course?
OCIMF has suspended all OVID refresher courses and new-inspector courses for the year 2020. OCIMF will review the situation at the end of June 2020 to assess whether inspector courses can be reinstated. Further advisories will be issued by OCIMF following this assessment.
My accreditation is suspended awaiting attendance at a refresher course, will I lose time on my accreditation?
OCIMF will provide extensions of a period of 12months to all inspectors whose accreditations are expiring in 2020. Please note that these extensions are temporary, and all accreditation cycles will be brought in line with original accreditation dates in the following year. This extension will provide a relief on the requirement to take refresher courses for a period of 12 months. Therefore, as an example, if an inspector were to have an accreditation expiry date of 31 October 2020, they will find their accreditation expiry date extended by 12 months to 31 October 2021. When the inspector takes their refresher course and gets reaccredited, they will have their accreditation renewal date reinstated to 31 October 2023.
Will this affect my minimum inspection requirements for 2020?
The requirements for minimum inspections have not been changed. A review of the number of inspections conducted by all OVID inspectors will be made at the end of the year.
I paid for a new inspector’s course - will this be refunded?
OCIMF will be reviewing all payments made for new inspector courses and will issue refunds to all candidates who have paid for a course which has been cancelled.
I would like to apply to become an inspector, can I still do this?
Members can still invite candidates to apply. You will need to liaise with a Submitting member who will have the ability to send you an invitation to apply and upload the documents required for making an application and submit these to be processed. OCIMF will only process applications and allocate courses after a decision to reinstate OVID courses has been confirmed and announced.
Will I receive new documents to cover the extension period?
OCIMF will send a new ID card with your revised accreditation expiry date. You should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. you have not received your documents within 2 weeks of your revised accreditation expiry date. New Certificates will not be sent. Once you have completed your next audit and your original accreditation date is reinstated a new id card and certificate will be sent at that time.
