Transitional arrangements
Before the Education Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network was established on 6 September 2026, member organisations of the Network trained and certified their own staff against Network standards, and declared the conformance of their own systems. Those arrangements differed from one organisation to another and were not recorded in any common register.
The Department recognises certification issued under those arrangements for a transitional period ending on 30 June 2027. Every holder of a recognised certificate has been entered on the Department's registers as a transitional entry. During the transitional period a transitional entry has the same effect as full certification. To continue beyond it, the holder must convert the entry: individuals by passing the refresher paper, organisations by undergoing a Department assessment.
This page describes what is recognised, how conversion works for individuals and for organisations, and the dates that apply. The arrangements for training units of member organisations that delivered training before the Department existed are described under Approved providers.
The transition in figures
- 1,284
- Individuals holding a transitional entry
- 37
- Organisations holding a transitional certificate of conformance
- 6
- Refresher sittings timetabled before the end of March 2027
- 30 June 2027
- Last day of the transitional period
What is recognised
| Certificate held | Transitional entry | Converted by | Certification on conversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of basic or introductory training in Network standards | Foundation, transitional | Passing the refresher paper | Foundation, three years from the date of the pass |
| Certificate of competence to operate a system to Network standards | Operator, transitional | Passing the refresher paper, with the level confirmed by the sponsoring organisation | Operator, three years from the date of the pass |
| Appointment as an internal assessor or auditor of conformance | Assessor, transitional | Passing the refresher paper and completing one supervised assessment | Assessor, three years from the date of the pass |
| Declaration or certificate of conformance issued by an organisation for its own systems | Organisation, transitional | Undergoing a Department assessment and remedying any findings | Certificate of conformance, two years from the date of the assessment |
| Certificates issued by a body outside the Network, or without reference to Network standards | Not recognised | Not applicable | The full programme and examination are required |
Converting an individual entry
Step 1: Check your transitional entry
Every recognised certificate holder has been entered on the register of certified persons at the level shown in the table above. Write to the Department to confirm the level recorded for you if you are unsure. An entry at the wrong level is corrected on confirmation from your sponsoring organisation.
Step 2: Read the current standards
The refresher paper tests the standards as they stand today. A reading list of the changes made since each organisation's last training cycle is published with the syllabus and is sent to every transitional entry holder who registers.
Step 3: Register for a refresher sitting
Six refresher sittings are timetabled between October 2026 and March 2027. Register by writing to the Department at least ten working days before the sitting, giving your name, sponsoring organisation and the sitting you wish to attend.
Step 4: Sit and pass the paper
The refresher paper is one hour long and the pass mark is 60 per cent. A candidate who fails may sit again at any later sitting at least thirty days after the result, and should allow time for this before 30 June 2027.
Step 5: Receive full certification
On passing, the transitional entry becomes a full entry at the level recorded, valid for three years from the date of the pass. Candidates whose entry records the assessor level must also complete one supervised assessment before the entry is converted.
Converting an organisation's entry
Step 1: Confirm your staff
Confirm to the Department which of your staff hold transitional entries and at what level, and that those responsible for the systems to be certified will have converted their entries before the assessment.
Step 2: Apply for assessment
Apply in writing, naming the systems and procedures covered by your existing declaration of conformance. The Department appoints a certified assessor and agrees a date with you. Assessments of transitional holders are given priority in the Department's programme.
Step 3: Undergo the assessment
The assessor examines your systems, procedures and records against the current standards and reports findings to you and to the Department. Findings must be remedied within the period the assessor sets, ordinarily sixty days.
Step 4: Receive the certificate of conformance
On a satisfactory report, the transitional entry becomes a full entry on the register of certified organisations, valid for two years from the date of the assessment.
Dates
Before September 2026
Certification by member organisations
Each member organisation of the Network trained and certified its own staff, and declared the conformance of its own systems, under arrangements of its own. The scope and rigour of those arrangements varied.
6 September 2026
Transitional entries created
On its establishment the Department entered every holder of a recognised certificate on its registers as a transitional entry: 1,284 individuals and 37 organisations. Transitional approval was granted to the training units of member organisations.
23 October 2026
First refresher sitting
The first of six refresher sittings at which transitional entry holders may convert their certification. Registration closes on 9 October 2026.
31 March 2027
Inspection of transitional providers complete
Every training unit holding transitional approval will have been inspected by this date and either granted full approval or given a period to remedy findings.
30 June 2027
End of the transitional period
Transitional entries not converted by this date lapse. From 1 July 2027 every entry on the registers will be a full entry issued by the Department on examination or assessment.
Common questions
Enquiries
Enquiries about a transitional entry, including requests to confirm or correct the level recorded, may be sent to contact@education.gov.vin. The Department replies within twenty working days. Refresher sittings are listed on the examination timetable; the paper and its pass mark are described under Examinations. A holder who disagrees with a decision about a transitional entry may use the procedure under Appeals and complaints.