I have been going through all the regulations and FSIMS manual for airmen certification. What I can see that is required to conduct the practical portion of ATP:
Current FAA class 3 medical.
CPL with IR or ATPL with instrument privileges/rating and a valid verification letter.
From what I can see, going it alone without an airline you do not need to have passed a PC or IR renewal to take the practical portion of the check ride.
Can anyone else confirm that this IR currency fiasco is only a requirement of the E3 sponsoring airlines?