Certified IQA Licence (CIL)
The Certified IQA Licence (CIL) is a professional, evidence-based certification designed for experienced Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs) who are actively involved in quality assurance, standardization, and monitoring of assessment practices within vocational, professional, or workplace training environments. This programme is intended for practitioners who already hold a recognized IQA qualification and wish to obtain formal licensing and professional recognition of their real-world quality assurance competence.
The CIL is an assignment-based qualification that emphasizes practical application, reflective practice, and real-life quality assurance evidence rather than classroom-based learning. Candidates will complete structured assignments demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and professional practice as IQAs. In addition to written assignments, learners will be required to submit relevant IQA documentation and evidence demonstrating their active involvement in internal quality assurance processes.
This programme is aligned with real assessment and quality assurance practices, regulatory requirements, and awarding body standards. It ensures that certified IQAs are competent in planning, conducting, monitoring, and reviewing internal quality assurance activities, including standardization, sampling, feedback, and continuous improvement.
To be eligible for this qualification, candidates must hold a valid IQA Training Certification (such as Level 4 IQA, V1, or equivalent) and have a minimum of three years of verified experience in internal quality assurance. This ensures that the CIL remains a professional licence for experienced and practicing IQAs rather than an entry-level qualification.
Upon successful completion, candidates will be awarded the Certified IQA Licence (CIL), formally recognizing them as competent, professional, and licensed Internal Quality Assurers capable of maintaining high-quality assessment standards, ensuring consistency, and supporting continuous improvement within training and assessment systems.
Certified IQA Licence (CIL)
To be eligible for enrolment on the Certified IQA Licence (CIL) course, candidates must meet all of the following mandatory requirements:
Mandatory Requirements
1. Minimum Professional Experience
Candidates must have:
Acceptable evidence may include:
2. Recognized IQA Training Certification
Candidates must hold an authentic and recognized IQA qualification, such as (but not limited to):
3. Evidence of IQA Practice (Mandatory)
Applicants must provide evidence demonstrating active involvement in internal quality assurance, such as:
(The training provider may specify a minimum number of IQA reports if required.)
Professional Background (Suitable For)
This course is appropriate for individuals currently working as:
Required Documentation for Enrolment
Applicants must submit:
This qualification, the Certified Assessor Licence (CAL), consists of 10 mandatory units.
- Professional Role and Responsibilities of an IQA
- Understanding Internal Quality Assurance Principles and Standards
- Planning Internal Quality Assurance Activities
- Monitoring Assessment Practice and Decisions
- Sampling and Standardization in IQA
- Providing Feedback and Support to Assessors
- Managing and Maintaining IQA Records
- Quality Improvement and Action Planning
- Reporting and Reviewing IQA Outcomes
- Professional Development and Continuous Improvement as an IQA
Unit 1: Professional Role and Responsibilities of an IQA
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of an Internal Quality Assurer.
- Apply professional and ethical standards in IQA practice.
- Demonstrate accountability in quality assurance decision-making.
- Reflect on their own professional IQA practice.
Unit 2: Understanding Internal Quality Assurance Principles and Standards
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain key IQA principles including consistency, fairness, transparency, and compliance.
- Apply IQA principles in real quality assurance contexts.
- Evaluate IQA practices against awarding body and regulatory standards.
- Justify IQA approaches used in their practice.
Unit 3: Planning Internal Quality Assurance Activities
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Develop an effective IQA plan aligned with organizational and awarding body requirements.
- Apply risk-based sampling strategies appropriately.
- Schedule and allocate IQA activities effectively.
- Ensure IQA planning supports quality and compliance.
Unit 4: Monitoring Assessment Practice and Decisions
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Monitor assessor performance in real assessment environments.
- Review assessment decisions for fairness, validity, and reliability.
- Identify non-compliance or inconsistencies in assessment practice.
- Provide recommendations for improvement where necessary.
Unit 5: Sampling and Standardization in IQA
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Plan and conduct appropriate sampling of assessment evidence.
- Participate in or lead internal standardization activities.
- Analyse sampled evidence against assessment criteria.
- Ensure consistency of assessment decisions across assessors.
Unit 6: Providing Feedback and Support to Assessors
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Provide clear, constructive, and professional feedback to assessors.
- Support assessors in improving their assessment practice.
- Communicate IQA findings effectively and diplomatically.
- Encourage reflective practice among assessors.
Unit 7: Managing and Maintaining IQA Records
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Maintain accurate and compliant IQA records.
- Store and manage IQA documentation securely and systematically.
- Ensure records meet organizational and awarding body requirements.
- Use IQA records to support quality monitoring.
Unit 8: Quality Improvement and Action Planning
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse IQA findings to identify areas for improvement.
- Develop clear and realistic quality improvement action plans.
- Implement corrective and preventive actions effectively.
- Review and evaluate the impact of improvement actions.
Unit 9: Reporting and Reviewing IQA Outcomes
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Produce clear and professional IQA reports.
- Analyse IQA outcomes to identify trends and risks.
- Reflect on IQA findings to improve quality assurance processes.
- Communicate IQA results to relevant stakeholders.
Unit 10: Professional Development and Continuous Improvement as an IQA
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically reflect on their own IQA practice.
- Identify strengths and areas for professional development.
- Develop a structured personal development plan.
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional improvement.
Upon successful completion of the Certified IQA Licence (CIL), learners will be well-positioned to progress to senior quality assurance, assessment, and training leadership roles. This certification strengthens professional credibility, enhances employability, and supports further advancement within vocational training, assessment, and quality assurance systems.
Approved IQA Status
On successful completion of this training, learners will be eligible to become an Approved Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) of ICTQual AB, enabling them to conduct internal quality assurance, standardization, sampling, and monitoring of assessment decisions for ICTQual AB-accredited certification, subject to ICTQual AB’s IQA approval and registration requirements.
Career Progression Opportunities
Successful candidates may progress to roles such as:
- Lead IQA / Senior IQA
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Assessment Coordinator
- Training and Quality Lead
- Centre Quality Manager
- Compliance Officer in Training and Assessment
- External Quality Assurer (EQA) (with further qualification)
- Education and Training Consultant
- Head of Quality Assurance
Academic and Professional Development Pathways
Learners may further progress to advanced certification, including:
- Level 5 Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)
- Level 4 or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
- Level 4 Award in Education and Training (AET)
- Higher qualifications in Quality Assurance, Education, or Training Management
Professional Recognition and Industry Value
The CIL supports:
- Formal recognition as a competent and licensed Internal Quality Assurer
- Enhanced professional credibility in training and assessment sectors
- Greater career mobility within accredited training providers and awarding bodies
- Opportunities to work with recognized awarding organizations, including ICTQual AB
