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Overseas Equivalence

European Union (and beyond)

In terms of the equivalence of qualifications from one country to another, there is currently no coherent accreditation framework in place across the European Union (EU), but instead a variety of patchwork and ad hoc approaches. This applies to most types of qualification (in many different vocational fields), not just to CPCAB qualifications.

However, there is a body called the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC). It is the National Agency for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and is the only official information provider on the comparability of international qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide.

There is an equivalent to NARIC in each EU country (and in some countries outside the EU) - the contact details for these organisations can be obtained by telephoning UK NARIC on 01242 260010 or by visiting their website at www.naric.org.uk.

In general, each country has the responsibility to assess awards themselves. Therefore the acceptance of a qualification is normally dealt with by the relevant authority in the country that the holder of the qualification is going to. In Europe the NARIC/ENIC agency in the country concerned should be contacted for further advice (otherwise contact the relevant embassy or Ministry of Education for assistance).

CPCAB has supplied UK NARIC with information concerning CPCAB qualifications, and they should therefore be able to supply that information to all other Euro-NARICs. Thus, if you are seeking to have a CPCAB qualification rated in terms of local equivalence in a particular country, you will need to contact the local NARIC in the country concerned and send them:

The 'NARIC' in that country should then - if they follow the pattern of UK NARIC - issue you with a Certificate of Comparability, a kind of official letter which should formally state the locally-equivalent qualification.