The awarding body recognition update process is intended for recognised awarding bodies to update the information on their central systems and procedures and to ensure compliance with the revised regulatory criteria that came into effect on 1 September 2004.

In providing a satisfactory recognition update the regulatory authorities, in conjunction with awarding bodies, will develop a central electronic file of key, high-level generic information for each awarding body. The files will contain, for each awarding body, details of policies and arrangements, which affect the delivery of qualifications. A list of the key documents to be centrally filed and how they should be titled is available in the titling convention.

All recognised awarding bodies have been notified of their awarding body recognition update submission date. All updates are due to have been have been received by March 2006. It is a requirement that all awarding bodies participating in the update process attend one of the monthly training sessions on the process. For more information on these sessions contact the recognition and approvals team (partateam@qca.org.uk).

After completing the awarding body recognition update each awarding body will be able to update the documents banked in their central file on an ad hoc basis using the template for updating banking documents.

The regulatory authorities must be informed immediately of significant changes which impact on the delivery of qualifications. Examples include a proposed merger or other fundamental changes to the awarding body’s governance arrangements or quality assurance mechanisms. If there is doubt about the significance of the proposed change, or the appropriate mechanism for communicating change, please contact the recognition and approvals team (partateam@qca.org.uk).