Validation of prior learning (VAE) 

Verified 30 June 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Amendment of the rules governing the EEV

Published on 23 December 2022

The act no. 2022-1598 on emergency measures for the functioning of the labor market with a view to full employment amends the rules governing the EAV scheme.

One of the provisions of the act is to broaden access to the EAV by simplifying the steps of the journey.

It also creates a public service of the VAE.

This page will be updated as soon as the decrees specifying the conditions of application of the law are published.

In the meantime, the information presented on this page remains current.

If you have been in a professional activity, you can benefit from the validation of prior learning (VAE) under certain conditions. Your experience allows you to obtain certification to evolve professionally.

The VAE allows you to obtain a certification thanks to your experience.

This professional certification must be registered at National Directory of Professional Qualifications (RNCP).

FYI  

the EEV does not provide all certifications.

You must have at least 1 year of full-time experience, or 1607 hours (continuous or not). The following experiences shall be taken into account:

  • Employed or self-employed occupation
  • Volunteering or voluntary work
  • Registration on the list of high-level athletes
  • Union responsibilities
  • Local Electoral Mandate or Local Elective Office
  • Participation in solidarity economy activities, if you are welcomed and accompanied by an organization providing reception and accommodation for people in difficulty

The experience must be relevant to the intended certification.

The duration of the activities carried out in initial or continuing training must represent less than half of the activities taken into account.

Please note

one jobseeker, whether or not compensated, may also benefit under certain conditions.

You can benefit from the EAV regardless of your age, nationality or level of education.

You can ask for support to prepare your validation file or interview with the jury.

Contact the certifying institution to obtain this information.

VAE: find your certifier

Reminder

support for VAE may be financed by the personal training account (CPF).

You can get financial assistance to complete your EAV, including from your employer, a skills operator (OPCO) or the regional council.

Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

You can benefit from the free assistance of a VAE advisor in a advice relay point (PRC) to build your case.

The advisor can also help you review the relevance of the project and obtain funding.

The 1re EEV stage consists of building and filing your admissibility file.

This file consists of the following documents:

  • Documents justifying the duration of the activities carried out by the applicant
  • Certificates justifying the duration of the training (initial or continuing) carried out in an employment situation
  • Certifications or parts of certifications obtained
  • Specific documents requested by the certification body
  • Completed and signed application form (cerfa n°12818) 

Validation of prior learning (VAE) - Application for admissibility

This file must be sent to the certifying body (check the conditions of this deposit on the website of this body).

VAE: find your certifier

The body shall verify that the file is admissible, in particular as regards the period of activity required.

Upon receipt of the complete file, the organization has 2 months for you notify his decision. He will also give you a date for the exam.

Warning  

you can submit only one application per year for the same certification, and no more than 3 applications per year, including all certifications.

Once your application has been deemed eligible, you will be offered a session to evaluate your EAV file.

Preparation of the file

You must build a folder that includes the following:

  • Description of your skills to validate
  • Skills and knowledge implemented during your experience
  • Possibly additional training you have received

The application for validation shall be examined by a panel of at least 25 % of professionals.

You must send this file to the certifying body.

VAE: find your certifier

Evaluation by the jury

The jury checks that your skills match the skills, knowledge and competences of the degree you want to obtain. 

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Total Validation

If your qualifications correspond to the required skills, abilities and knowledge, the jury takes a decision on full validation and awards you the diploma or certification. You will receive a statement of competency indicating this.

Partial Validation

If your qualifications do not fully correspond to the skills, abilities and knowledge required for the certification in question, the jury takes a partial validation decision.

You will receive a notification indicating the elements that will need to be further assessed.

You will also receive an attestation of competency indicating the parts of certification obtained permanently. These parts of certifications allow for test exemptions if the regulation set by the certification body provides for total or partial equivalences.

Refusal of validation

If your qualifications do not correspond to the required level of competence, aptitude or knowledge, the jury will refuse you the award of the diploma.

The jury's decision is yours notified by post by the head of the higher education institution or the certifying body.

Any person (employee, public official...) can request leave from his employer to prepare for the validation of experience acquired (VAE) or to participate in the validation tests. To do so, you must have a one-year professional experience (1,607 hours) in connection with the certification.

The maximum duration of leave shall be 24 hours of working time (consecutive or non-consecutive) per validation.

Conditions differ depending on your situation.

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In the private sector

This leave is considered as a period of work for the calculation of your seniority in the company and your entitlement to paid leave.

Your leave of absence from PPAs cannot be deducted from your entitlement to paid leave.

You must submit your application to your employer at least 60 days before the ETV begins. It shall contain the following information:

  • Professional certification sought
  • Date, nature and duration of the actions envisaged
  • Name of the certifying body
  • Any document attesting to the admissibility of your application for the EAV

Within 30 days of receiving your request, the employer shall inform you in writing of its agreement or of the reasons for the postponement or rejection of the leave of absence. This postponement cannot be longer than 6 months after the date of your request.

If your employer does not respond within 30 days, your request is accepted.

When you return from the leave, you must present an attestation of presence provided by the certifying body.

You will only be able to apply for a new leave for EAD with the same employer after a period of 1 year.

In the public service

State Civil Service (EPF)

You can benefit from an EAV leave on request. Your remuneration is maintained.

Check with your human resources department to find out what you need to do to apply.

EEV actions may be financed by the administration if they are included in the training plan. In this case, you will have to sign an agreement with the administration and the certifying body.

Territorial Public Service (FPT)

You can benefit from an EAV leave on request. Your remuneration is maintained.

You must submit your application to your employer at least 60 days before the ETV begins. It shall specify the following information:

  • Professional certification sought
  • Date, nature and duration of the actions envisaged
  • Name of the certifying body

Within 30 days of receiving your request, the employer shall inform you in writing of its agreement or of the reasons for the postponement or rejection of the leave of absence.

In the case of an agreement and financial support, you will have to sign an agreement with the employer community or institution and the certifying body.

When you return from the leave, you must present an attestation of presence provided by the certifying body.

You will only be able to apply for a new leave for EAD with the same employer after a period of 1 year.

Hospital Public Service (FPH)

You can benefit from an EAV leave on request. Your remuneration is maintained.

Check with your human resources department to find out what you need to do to apply.

EEV actions may be financed by the employing institution if they are included in the training plan. In this case, you will have to sign an agreement with the administration and the certifying body.

FAQ