Certification
Certification is the Department's confirmation that a person or an organisation meets a Network standard. Individuals are certified on the basis of examination; organisations are certified on the basis of an assessment of their systems and practice. Both are recorded in registers maintained by the Education Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network.
Certification is issued at a level, and each level allows its holder to do something the level below does not. Foundation certification records that the holder understands the standards. Operator certification allows the holder to be responsible for a system certified against them. Assessor certification allows the holder to judge, on the Department's behalf, whether others conform. An organisation's certificate of conformance allows it to offer systems to other members as certified.
Individuals
Step 1: Complete a programme
Complete the relevant training programme and pass its examination.
Step 2: Apply
Apply to the Department for certification, giving the examination result and the sponsoring member organisation.
Step 3: Receive the certificate
Receive a certificate and an entry in the register of certified persons, valid for three years.
Step 4: Renew
Renew before expiry by completing the current refresher examination.
Organisations
Step 1: Confirm staff certification
Confirm that the staff responsible for certified systems hold current operator certification.
Step 2: Apply for assessment
Apply to the Department for an assessment of the systems and procedures to be certified.
Step 3: Undergo assessment
Undergo an assessment by a certified assessor appointed by the Department, and remedy any findings.
Step 4: Receive the certificate
Receive a certificate of conformance and an entry in the register of certified organisations, valid for two years.
Levels, validity and renewal
| Level | Basis | Validity | Renewed by | Apply for renewal | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Pass in the foundation written paper | 3 years | Refresher paper | 60 days before expiry | Voluntary |
| Operator | Pass in the operator written and practical papers; foundation certification | 3 years | Refresher paper | 60 days before expiry | Required for staff responsible for certified systems |
| Assessor | Pass in the assessor written paper and a satisfactory supervised assessment; 2 years as a certified operator | 3 years | Refresher paper and one assessment carried out in the previous year | 60 days before expiry | Required to assess on the Department's behalf |
| Organisation | Satisfactory assessment of systems and procedures by a certified assessor | 2 years | Further assessment | 90 days before expiry | Required for organisations offering certified systems |
Transitional certification
Certificates issued by member organisations before 6 September 2026 are recognised as transitional entries on the registers until 30 June 2027. An individual converts a transitional entry by passing the refresher paper; an organisation converts one by undergoing a Department assessment. The arrangements, and what happens to an entry that is not converted, are set out under Transitional arrangements.
Notes
Certification may be suspended or withdrawn where the standard is no longer met. The holder is given notice and may make representations under Appeals and complaints. Application forms and fees will be published here as they are put in place, and no charge is made until then. Enquiries may be sent to contact@education.gov.vin.
For the programmes that precede certification, see Training; for the papers and their dates, see Examinations and the examination timetable. The registers in which certification is recorded are described under Registers.