Dark blue background with lighter blue checks. In the centre is the PIF TICK logo on a white background.

Validating the PIF TICK

Maintaining the integrity of the PIF TICK.

The integrity of the PIF TICK certification process is the reason why it has become the ultimate marker of trusted health information. As a certification trade mark, we have to ensure information with the PIF TICK meets a certain standard. To achieve this we carry out both annual and information assessments. 

Our PIF TICK activity is guided by an expert steering group. Their scrutiny helps to ensure the scheme continues to drive excellence in the production of health information.  The PIF TICK criteria are reviewed every two years to ensure they are fit for purpose. The importance of assessed trust marks like the PIF TICK has also been recognised by the World Health Organization.

What is the purpose of the annual assessment?

All PIF TICK certified creators must undergo an annual assessment to continue using the trust mark on their information. This helps to ensure organisations and individuals using the PIF TICK are maintaining, and improving, the quality of their information production process. Trusted Information Creators are supported to enhance their production process, moving from achieving the minimum criteria to desirable.

PIF TICK logo – A PIF TICK with the text Trusted Information Creator on a dark blue background

The PIF TICK steering group

The PIF TICK steering group is a cross-sector group helping to ensure the PIF TICK standards reflect best practice in health information production.
Meet the steering group

What are PIF TICK information assessments?

Information assessments maintain the value and integrity of the PIF TICK. Trusted Information Creators are selected at random for an information assessment once they have been certified for two years or more. Information assessments are different from annual assessments because they look at specific resources rather than the wider production process. Information assessments check that:

  • The information meets the PIF TICK criteria.
  • The information meets the needs of the audience.
  • The PIF TICK approved process has been followed and works in practice.

Information assessments can help certified information creators by:

  • Providing expert feedback on health information resources.
  • Identifying areas of improvement.

Information assessments may also be used as part of the process for dealing with valid complaints about PIF TICK certified information.

The information assessment process

Information assessments use the following process:

  • Trusted Information Creators are selected for an information assessment three months before their next annual assessment.
  • Creators provide a list of all health information with a PIF TICK, in any format, created since their last PIF TICK assessment.
  • An assessment date is agreed with PIF.
  • A maximum of three resources are selected for assessment.
  • Creators are given 48 hours to upload evidence.
  • Evidence and resources are reviewed against the PIF TICK criteria.
  • Results and recommendations are shared at the next annual assessment.
Dark blue background with lighter blue checks. In the centre is the PIF TICK logo on a white background.

Register your interest in the PIF TICK

The PIF TICK publicly demonstrates your commitment to quality health information. The assessment process streamlines and improves your information production process. As a PIF TICK certified organisation you also automatically get access to all PIF member benefits.
Register your interest

Complaints about PIF TICK resources

If you want to complain about information provided by a PIF TICK creator you should contact them in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the outcome you can email us on PIFTICK@pifonline.org.uk. We will check all feedback has been logged and responded to appropriately by the certified member. If a complaint is upheld, we will work with certified members to update their process, resources or staff training. We will inform you of the outcome of our investigation.