Certified EQA Licence (CEL)

The Certified EQA Licence (CEL) is a professional, evidence-based certification designed for experienced External Quality Assurers (EQAs) who are actively involved in monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring the quality and consistency of assessment and internal quality assurance practices across training centres, providers, or awarding body approved centres.

This programme is intended for practitioners who already hold a recognized EQA or advanced IQA qualification and wish to obtain formal licensing and professional recognition of their real-world external quality assurance competence. The CEL is not an entry-level qualification; rather, it is a professional licence for experienced and practicing EQAs.

The CEL is an assignment-based qualification that emphasizes practical application, professional judgment, reflective practice, and real-life external quality assurance evidence rather than classroom-based learning. Candidates will complete structured assignments demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and professional practice as EQAs. In addition, learners will be required to submit relevant EQA documentation and evidence that demonstrates their active involvement in external quality assurance processes such as centre monitoring, risk assessment, sampling, standardization, and compliance evaluation.

This programme is aligned with real assessment, internal quality assurance, and external quality assurance practices, as well as regulatory and awarding body requirements. It ensures that certified EQAs are competent in planning, conducting, and reviewing external quality assurance activities, including centre visits, sampling of assessment decisions, feedback to centres, reporting, and continuous quality improvement.

To be eligible for this qualification, candidates must hold a valid EQA or advanced IQA qualification (such as Level 4/5 IQA, or equivalent EQA training) and have a minimum of three years of verified experience in external quality assurance or senior internal quality assurance roles. This ensures that the CEL remains a professional licence for highly experienced quality assurance professionals.

Upon successful completion, candidates will be awarded the Certified EQA Licence (CEL), formally recognizing them as competent, professional, and licensed External Quality Assurers capable of safeguarding standards, ensuring consistency, and promoting continuous improvement across accredited training and assessment systems.

Course overview

Certified EQA Licence (CEL)

To be eligible for enrolment on the Certified EQA Licence (CEL) course, candidates must meet all of the following mandatory requirements:

Mandatory Requirements

1. Minimum Professional Experience
Candidates must have:

  • A minimum of three (3) years of verified experience in External Quality Assurance (EQA) or senior Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) roles within vocational, professional, or awarding body-approved training environments.

Acceptable evidence may include:

  • Employment letter
  • Experience certificate
  • Employer reference
  • EQA / IQA records or professional portfolio
  • Records of centre monitoring, sampling, or standardization activities

2. Recognized EQA or Advanced IQA Qualification
Candidates must hold an authentic and recognized EQA or advanced IQA qualification, such as (but not limited to):

  • Level 4 or Level 5 Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)
  • V1 / V2 or equivalent IQA qualification
  • Recognized External Quality Assurance (EQA) training
  • Any equivalent accredited EQA / advanced IQA qualification

3. Evidence of EQA / Advanced IQA Practice (Mandatory)
Applicants must provide documented evidence demonstrating active involvement in external or advanced internal quality assurance, such as:

  • EQA centre visit reports
  • Risk assessment records
  • Sampling records of assessment decisions
  • Standardization meeting records
  • EQA feedback to centres or assessors
  • Action plans or compliance reports

(The training provider may specify a minimum number of reports if required.)

Professional Background (Suitable For)

This course is appropriate for individuals currently working as:

  • External Quality Assurers (EQAs)
  • Lead IQAs / Senior IQAs
  • Quality Assurance Managers
  • Centre Quality Managers
  • Assessment Coordinators
  • Training and Quality Leads
  • Compliance Officers in training and assessment

Required Documentation for Enrolment

Applicants must submit:

  • Updated CV / Resume
  • Copy of EQA or Advanced IQA Training Certificate
  • Proof of at least 2 years’ EQA / Senior IQA experience
  • EQA / IQA evidence portfolio (reports, sampling records, or similar)
  • Valid government-issued ID

This qualification, the Certified Assessor Licence (CAL), consists of 10 mandatory units.

  1. Professional Role and Responsibilities of an EQA
  2. Understanding External Quality Assurance Principles and Standards
  3. Planning External Quality Assurance Activities
  4. Conducting Centre Monitoring and Visits
  5. Sampling and Reviewing Assessment and IQA Decisions
  6. Evaluating Centre Systems and Processes
  7. Providing Feedback and Support to Centres
  8. Risk Management and Compliance in EQA
  9. Reporting and Reviewing EQA Outcomes
  10. Professional Development and Continuous Improvement as an EQA

Unit 1: Professional Role and Responsibilities of an EQA

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Explain the roles and responsibilities of an External Quality Assurer.
  2. Apply professional and ethical standards in EQA practice.
  3. Demonstrate accountability in quality assurance decision-making.
  4. Reflect on their own professional EQA practice.

Unit 2: Understanding External Quality Assurance Principles and Standards

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Explain key EQA principles including risk management, consistency, and compliance.
  2. Apply EQA principles in real quality assurance contexts.
  3. Evaluate centre practices against awarding body and regulatory standards.
  4. Justify EQA approaches used in their practice.

Unit 3: Planning External Quality Assurance Activities

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Develop effective EQA plans aligned with awarding body requirements.
  2. Conduct centre risk profiling to determine monitoring priorities.
  3. Plan appropriate sampling strategies for assessment and IQA decisions.
  4. Schedule and organize EQA activities effectively.

Unit 4: Conducting Centre Monitoring and Visits

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Conduct professional and structured centre monitoring visits.
  2. Evaluate centre performance against quality and compliance standards.
  3. Gather and analyse relevant evidence during centre visits.
  4. Maintain professional communication with centre staff.

Unit 5: Sampling and Reviewing Assessment and IQA Decisions

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Plan and conduct appropriate sampling of assessment and IQA decisions.
  2. Review evidence to ensure validity, reliability, and consistency.
  3. Identify non-compliance or inconsistencies in assessment practice.
  4. Provide recommendations for improvement based on sampling outcomes.

Unit 6: Evaluating Centre Systems and Processes

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Analyse centre quality assurance systems and procedures.
  2. Evaluate the effectiveness of assessment and IQA processes.
  3. Identify strengths and weaknesses in centre operations.
  4. Recommend improvements to enhance quality and compliance.

Unit 7: Providing Feedback and Support to Centres

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Provide clear, constructive, and professional feedback to centres.
  2. Support assessors and IQAs in improving their practice.
  3. Communicate EQA findings effectively and diplomatically.
  4. Encourage continuous improvement within centres.

Unit 8: Risk Management and Compliance in EQA

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Identify potential risks in centre delivery and assessment practices.
  2. Analyse the impact of identified risks on quality and compliance.
  3. Recommend corrective and preventive actions where necessary.
  4. Monitor and review the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures.

Unit 9: Reporting and Reviewing EQA Outcomes

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Produce clear, professional, and structured EQA reports.
  2. Analyse EQA outcomes to identify trends and areas of concern.
  3. Reflect on EQA findings to improve future quality assurance activities.
  4. Communicate EQA results effectively to relevant stakeholders.

Unit 10: Professional Development and Continuous Improvement as an EQA

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Critically reflect on their own EQA practice.
  2. Identify strengths and areas for professional development.
  3. Develop a structured personal development plan.
  4. Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional improvement.

Upon successful completion of the Certified EQA Licence (CEL), learners will be well-positioned to progress to senior external quality assurance, compliance, and strategic quality leadership roles within accredited training, assessment, and awarding body environments. This certification strengthens professional credibility, enhances employability, and supports further advancement in quality assurance, governance, and regulatory compliance.

Approved EQA Status

On successful completion of this training, learners will be eligible to become an Approved External Quality Assurer (EQA) of ICTQual AB, enabling them to conduct external quality assurance, centre monitoring, risk profiling, sampling, and compliance reviews for ICTQual AB-accredited certifications, subject to ICTQual AB’s EQA approval and registration requirements.

Career Progression Opportunities

Successful candidates may progress to roles such as:

  • Lead EQA / Senior EQA
  • External Quality Assurance Manager
  • Centre Quality Assurance Lead
  • Compliance and Standards Manager
  • Assessment and Quality Director
  • Awarding Body Quality Reviewer
  • External Auditor in Education and Training
  • Head of Quality Assurance
  • Education and Training Consultant

Academic and Professional Development Pathways

Learners may further progress to advanced certifications or roles, including:

  • Level 5 Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)
  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
  • Level 4/5 qualifications in Quality Assurance or Compliance
  • Higher qualifications in Education, Training Management, or Governance
  • Professional roles within awarding bodies or regulatory organisations

Professional Recognition and Industry Value

The CEL supports:

  • Formal recognition as a competent and licensed External Quality Assurer
  • Enhanced professional credibility in training, assessment, and quality assurance sectors
  • Greater career mobility across accredited training providers and awarding bodies
  • Opportunities to work with recognized awarding organizations, including ICTQual AB

FAQs

Applicants must submit an EQA / IQA evidence portfolio, which may include:

  • Centre visit reports
  • Risk assessment records
  • Sampling records of assessment and IQA decisions
  • Standardization meeting records
  • EQA feedback and action plans
  • Compliance or monitoring reports

This certification programme is exclusively allowed and offered by ATTICS International and Inspire College of Technologies UK. For your registration, enrolment details, and further information, please contact either of these authorized providers directly.

Completion time depends on the learner’s pace and availability of evidence. Typically, it may take several weeks to a few months.

No. CEL is an assignment-based qualification focused on practical EQA evidence and professional practice rather than classroom attendance.

Assessment is based on:

  • Written assignments for all 10 units
  • Submission of an EQA evidence portfolio
  • Additional supporting documentation where required