Regulation

Criteria for Recognition

Criteria for assessing applications to be recognised by Ofqual to develop or award regulated qualifications.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 16 May 2011
• Last updated: 4 June 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 4 June 2026

     Added Criteria for Recognition for V Level, Foundation Certificate and Occupational Certificate.

  2. 23 January 2024

     Added the HTML attachment 'Criteria for Recognition'.

  3. 19 May 2020

     Updated condition A2 - Establishment in the EU or the EFTA.

  4. 16 May 2011

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Criteria for Recognition

Ref: Ofqual/26/7335/1

HTML

Criteria for Recognition for V Level, Foundation Certificate and Occupational Certificate

Ref: Ofqual/26/7335/2

HTML

Details

There are 2 sets of Criteria for Recognition. We use them to decide whether or not to recognise an organisation that applies to develop, deliver and award regulated qualifications.

The first Criteria for Recognition covers most qualification descriptions that you may apply for. They are not for:

• V Level
• Foundation Certificate
• Occupational Certificate

These are covered by the second set of qualification‑specific criteria. At present, only regulated awarding organisations can apply to expand their scope of recognition to include these.

For more information about recognition and how to apply, read our guide to applying to have your qualifications regulated.