Qualiopi — quality certification for training providers
Mandatory since 1 January 2022 for any provider seeking access to public or pooled funding (OPCO, CPF, the State, Regions, France Travail, Agefiph).
Issued by: Certification bodies accredited by Cofrac or labelling bodies recognised by France compétences — Qualiopi® is a trademark of the French State (DGEFP)
All providers of skills-development actions: training organisations, apprentice training centres (CFA), skills-assessment centres, VAE support providers.
What this scheme covers
- C.1Compliance with the national quality framework (RNQ): 7 criteria broken down into 32 indicators.
- C.2Four certifiable categories of action: training actions, skills assessments, VAE and apprenticeship training.
- C.3A three-year cycle: initial audit, surveillance audit between the 14th and 22nd month, then a renewal audit.
The link with Qualiopi
It is the reference certification of this comparison: every other scheme precedes it, complements it or historically preceded it — none replaces it for funding access.
The process, summarised
- 1.Choose the category or categories of actions to certify and read the RNQ reading guide (current version: V9).
- 2.Prepare the expected evidence for each of the 32 applicable indicators.
- 3.Contract with a Cofrac-accredited certification body and pass the initial audit.
- 4.Clear any non-conformities, then prepare the surveillance audit.
Indicative costMost often in the region of €1,500 to €3,500 excl. VAT over the three-year cycle (initial + surveillance audit), depending on the organisation's size, the number of categories and the certification body.
FAQ — Qualiopi
+Is Qualiopi mandatory for all training organisations?
No. It is only required to access public and pooled funding. A provider whose clients pay entirely out of pocket can operate without Qualiopi, with just a registered activity number (NDA).
+How long is Qualiopi certification valid?
Three years, subject to a surveillance audit carried out between the 14th and 22nd month after the initial audit.
+Who issues Qualiopi certification?
Certification bodies accredited by Cofrac or labelling bodies recognised by France compétences. The State owns the trademark but does not certify providers itself.
+Can a brand-new organisation obtain Qualiopi?
Yes. The framework provides 'new entrant' accommodations for several indicators: the auditor then assesses the planned system rather than its implementation history.
- Private higher education: what the French regulation bill changes for Qualiopi8 min
- The Official French National Quality Framework (RNQ): Where to Download It and Which Version Applies (32, Then 33 Indicators)7 min
- Cofrac: What French Accreditation Actually Guarantees, and How to Check Your Certification Body8 min
- Using "Qualiopi" in a product name, domain, or brand: what French trademark law allows8 min
- VAT and training subcontracting in France: can the subcontractor invoice exempt?7 min
- Subcontracting a public training contract in France: DC4 form, direct payment and Qualiopi8 min
- Subcontracting training to a provider based abroad: NDA, Qualiopi, VAT8 min
- Apprenticeship centres (CFA): subcontracting apprentice training — agreements, UFA and responsibilities8 min
- Cascade subcontracting: can a subcontracted training course be subcontracted again?7 min
- The Qualiopi auditor's questions: examples criterion by criterion and how to answer them8 min
- In-house training: does a company need Qualiopi certification to train its own employees?7 min
- Qualiopi for a training provider based outside France: is it possible, and how?7 min
- Sampling in the Qualiopi audit: how the auditor picks the files they examine7 min
- "Guaranteed Qualiopi", express certification: spotting dubious offers and outright scams8 min
- NDAMandatory
- RNCPVoluntary
- Répertoire spécifiqueVoluntary
- Professional titleVoluntary
- CQPVoluntary
- CléAVoluntary
- CléA numériqueVoluntary
- Awarding-body authorisationVoluntary
- e-AFAQ training labelVoluntary
- ISQ-OPQFVoluntary
- EDUFORMVoluntary
- Qualité FLEVoluntary
- Certif'RégionVoluntary
- ISO 21001Voluntary
- ISO 29993Voluntary
- BAFA-BAFD authorisationMandatory
- DPC providerMandatory
- Local-elected-officials training approvalMandatory