Question about CBAT - TOCP

Hi all, I do hope that this is the right place for this question. CBAT runs the transient objects confirmation page (TOCP), and I see that in order to either post a newly discovered object or a follow up report, an e-mail must be sent to CBAT to join the list. Is this strictly for professionals only, or open to all?

My thing is nova patrolling via Visual and DSLR monitoring, and maybe one night I may just catch something and need a confirmation. Is the TOCP now the 'standard' way of posting a potential discovery, or would e-mailing a fellow observer or the AAVSO/CBAT in order for confirmation be ok?

Sorry if this is just run of the mill stuff to some of you, but that learning curve is still going upwards

Thanks,

Keith.