Standards for Accredited Institutes Delivering Professional Certification and Assessed Completion Programs
Summary
The ATU-CPAC Provider Accreditation Standards are designed to ensure that accredited institutes deliver professional certification and assessed completion programs with quality, fairness, professional relevance, assessment integrity, and continuous improvement.
Accredited providers are expected to demonstrate strong institutional governance, reliable quality assurance, qualified trainers and assessors, valid assessment systems, transparent learner support, accurate records, ethical conduct, and full compliance with the approved scope of accreditation.
These standards protect the value of ATU-issued credentials and strengthen confidence among learners, professionals, employers, institutions, partners, and stakeholders.
1. Purpose of the Standards
The ATU-CPAC Provider Accreditation Standards define the institutional, academic, administrative, quality assurance, assessment, ethical, and compliance requirements that accredited institutes must meet to deliver ATU-approved professional certification programs and assessed completion-based training programs.
These standards are intended to ensure that accredited providers operate with integrity, consistency, transparency, impartiality, and evidence-based quality assurance. They also protect the credibility of certificates and professional credentials issued under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.
ATU-CPAC regulates, governs, monitors, and assures compliance with accreditation and certification requirements. All certificates, professional certifications, assessed certificates, and accreditation certificates are issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.
Standard 1: Institutional Governance and Legal Status
1.1 Institutional Legality
The provider must be a legally established organization, institute, academy, training center, professional development institution, university unit, assessment center, or approved educational body operating in accordance with the laws and regulations of its country.
1.2 Governance Structure
The provider must maintain a clear governance and management structure that defines authority, accountability, decision-making responsibilities, reporting lines, and oversight arrangements.
1.3 Approved Scope of Accreditation
The provider shall only deliver programs, assessments, or certification-related activities within the scope approved by ATU-CPAC.
The approved scope shall include one or more of the following:
- Professional training delivery
- Assessed training programs
- Professional certification preparation programs
- Assessment delivery
- Portfolio support
- Practical evaluation
- Examination administration
- Approved program delivery
- Authorized assessment center activities
1.4 Institutional Policies
The provider must maintain documented institutional policies covering:
- Governance and management
- Quality assurance
- Program delivery
- Assessment administration
- Learner admission and registration
- Learner support
- Trainer and assessor approval
- Internal quality assurance
- Complaints and appeals
- Data protection and confidentiality
- Academic and professional integrity
- Equality, fairness, and non-discrimination
- Conflict of interest
- Marketing and use of ATU-CPAC marks
- Records management
- Certificate request procedures
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Legal registration documents
- Organizational chart
- Governance policy
- Management responsibility matrix
- Approved scope letter
- Institutional policy manual
- Quality assurance manual
- Staff responsibility records
- Board or senior management minutes where applicable
Standard 2: Institutional Quality Assurance System
2.1 Quality Assurance Framework
The provider must operate a documented internal quality assurance system that covers all activities related to program delivery, assessment, learner support, certificate requests, records, and compliance with ATU-CPAC standards.
2.2 Quality Assurance Responsibilities
The provider must appoint a responsible quality assurance officer, coordinator, or committee to oversee compliance with ATU-CPAC requirements.
2.3 Continuous Improvement
The provider must demonstrate a structured approach to continuous improvement based on:
- Learner feedback
- Trainer feedback
- Assessor feedback
- Assessment outcomes
- Complaints and appeals
- Internal audit findings
- ATU-CPAC monitoring reports
- Employer or stakeholder feedback where applicable
- Corrective action plans
2.4 Internal Review
The provider must conduct periodic internal reviews of its programs, assessment practices, trainers, assessors, learner support, and administrative procedures.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Internal quality assurance policy
- Quality assurance plan
- Internal audit reports
- Corrective action records
- Meeting minutes
- Feedback analysis reports
- Program review reports
- Improvement action plans
- Evidence of implemented improvements
Standard 3: Program Approval and Curriculum Standards
3.1 Approved Programs Only
The provider shall only deliver ATU-approved or ATU-CPAC-governed programs within the approved scope. Any new program must be submitted for review and approval before delivery.
3.2 Program Specification
Each program must have a formal program specification that includes:
- Program title
- Program purpose
- Target audience
- Entry requirements
- Program level where applicable
- Learning outcomes
- Competency standards
- Content structure
- Duration and delivery mode
- Assessment methods
- Passing requirements
- Certification or certificate outcome
- Trainer and assessor requirements
- Required learning resources
- Quality assurance arrangements
- Renewal or CPD requirements where applicable
3.3 Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes must be clear, measurable, realistic, and aligned with the purpose of the program.
Learning outcomes should use measurable action verbs such as:
- Analyze
- Apply
- Evaluate
- Design
- Demonstrate
- Prepare
- Develop
- Implement
- Assess
- Produce
3.4 Curriculum Relevance
The curriculum must be professionally relevant, current, practical, and aligned with the competency requirements of the target profession or sector.
3.5 Learning Resources
The provider must provide appropriate learning resources, including:
- Learner guide or workbook
- Trainer materials
- Presentation slides where applicable
- Case studies
- Practical activities
- Assessment instructions
- Reading lists
- Templates and tools
- Digital learning resources where applicable
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Program specifications
- Curriculum maps
- Learning outcome mapping
- Training materials
- Learner guides
- Trainer guides
- Session plans
- Assessment plans
- Program approval records
- Version control records
Standard 4: Professional Certification Program Delivery
4.1 Certification Pathway
Where the provider delivers professional certification programs, the program must be aligned with the approved ATU-CPAC certification pathway.
The pathway should define:
- Certification title
- Certification level
- Candidate eligibility
- Required knowledge and competencies
- Assessment requirements
- Passing criteria
- Evidence requirements
- Ethics requirements
- Renewal requirements
- Registry requirements
4.2 Competency-Based Approach
Professional certification programs must be competency-based and should not rely on attendance alone. The candidate must demonstrate achievement through approved assessment methods.
4.3 Separation of Training and Certification Decision
The provider shall deliver training or assessment activities according to its approved scope, but the final certification decision remains under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union through ATU-CPAC procedures.
4.4 Candidate Guidance
The provider must give candidates clear information before registration, including:
- Program requirements
- Assessment requirements
- Passing requirements
- Fees
- Retake rules
- Certificate issuance conditions
- Appeals process
- Candidate responsibilities
- Code of conduct
- Data and registry use
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Candidate handbook
- Certification pathway documents
- Assessment requirements
- Candidate registration records
- Candidate declarations
- Assessment completion records
- Result approval records
- Certificate request forms
- Candidate communication records
Standard 5: Assessed Completion Program Standards
5.1 Assessed Programs
For completion-based assessed programs, the provider must ensure that certificates are issued based on successful completion of learning and assessment requirements, not attendance only.
5.2 Required Components
Each assessed completion program must include:
- Learning outcomes
- Assessment criteria
- Learning activities
- Assessment tasks
- Marking rubrics or checklists
- Completion requirements
- Evidence requirements
- Trainer or assessor feedback
- Quality assurance review
5.3 Certificate Type
Participants who successfully complete an approved assessed program shall be eligible for an ATU Assessed Certificate, Certificate of Achievement, or another approved certificate title according to the approved ATU-CPAC certificate category.
5.4 Attendance Requirement
Attendance shall be required, but attendance alone must not be the only basis for an assessed certificate.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Attendance records
- Assessment records
- Completed learner work
- Assessor decisions
- Rubrics and marking sheets
- Feedback forms
- Internal quality assurance sampling records
- Certificate eligibility records
Standard 6: Assessment Standards
6.1 Valid Assessment
Assessments must measure the intended learning outcomes, competencies, and professional requirements.
6.2 Reliable Assessment
Assessment decisions must be consistent across candidates, assessors, groups, locations, and delivery modes.
6.3 Fair Assessment
Assessment must be fair, accessible, impartial, and free from discrimination or inappropriate influence.
6.4 Assessment Methods
Approved assessment methods shall include:
- Knowledge exams
- Scenario-based questions
- Case study analysis
- Practical tasks
- Professional projects
- Workplace evidence
- Portfolio of evidence
- Oral questioning
- Observation of performance
- Presentations
- Reports
- Reflective practice
- Simulation-based assessment
6.5 Assessment Instructions
Candidates must receive clear assessment instructions, including:
- Task requirements
- Submission format
- Deadline
- Word count or evidence volume where applicable
- Marking criteria
- Passing requirements
- Refer or resubmission rules
- Academic integrity requirements
- Appeals process
6.6 Assessment Security
The provider must protect the integrity of assessment materials and results through secure storage, controlled access, identity checks, invigilation where required, and prevention of malpractice.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Assessment instruments
- Assessment briefs
- Marking rubrics
- Answer keys or model answers
- Assessor guides
- Candidate submissions
- Assessment decision records
- Identity verification records
- Exam security records
- Malpractice reports where applicable
Standard 7: Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment
7.1 IQA Requirement
The provider must operate an internal quality assurance process for assessment decisions before results are submitted for certification or certificate issuance.
7.2 IQA Sampling
Internal quality assurance must include sampling of:
- Assessment tools
- Candidate evidence
- Assessor decisions
- Feedback quality
- Borderline cases
- Failed or referred cases
- High-achieving cases
- Different assessors
- Different delivery groups
- Different assessment methods
7.3 Assessor Monitoring
The provider must monitor assessor performance to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with approved criteria.
7.4 Corrective Action
Where assessment weaknesses are identified, the provider must implement corrective actions before final results are confirmed.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- IQA policy
- IQA sampling plan
- IQA reports
- Assessor feedback records
- Standardization meeting records
- Corrective action records
- Result approval records
- Evidence of reassessment where required
Standard 8: Trainer, Assessor, and Faculty Qualifications
8.1 Trainer Competence
Trainers must have appropriate professional knowledge, practical experience, instructional competence, and familiarity with the program content.
8.2 Assessor Competence
Assessors must understand assessment principles and must be competent to judge candidate evidence against approved criteria.
8.3 Internal Quality Assurer Competence
Internal quality assurers must have suitable experience in assessment quality assurance, sampling, standardization, feedback, and compliance review.
8.4 Approval of Personnel
The provider must maintain an approval process for trainers, assessors, internal quality assurers, and program coordinators.
8.5 Continuing Professional Development
All trainers, assessors, and quality assurance personnel must engage in relevant continuing professional development.
8.6 Conflict of Interest
The provider must manage conflicts of interest, especially where the same person trains, assesses, verifies, or approves the same candidate.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Trainer CVs
- Assessor CVs
- IQA CVs
- Qualification certificates
- Professional experience records
- Trainer approval forms
- Assessor approval forms
- CPD records
- Observation reports
- Conflict of interest declarations
- Staff performance review records
Standard 9: Learner Admission, Registration, and Support
9.1 Admission Requirements
The provider must admit learners and candidates according to the approved entry requirements of each program.
9.2 Registration Records
The provider must maintain accurate registration records for all learners and candidates.
9.3 Learner Information
Learners must receive clear information about:
- Program title
- Program duration
- Learning outcomes
- Assessment requirements
- Attendance requirements
- Fees
- Refund policy where applicable
- Certification requirements
- Appeals and complaints procedures
- Data protection and registry information
9.4 Learner Support
The provider must provide appropriate academic, technical, administrative, and assessment-related support.
9.5 Equality and Accessibility
The provider must ensure fair access and reasonable support for learners, while maintaining the validity and integrity of assessment.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Admission records
- Registration forms
- Learner handbook
- Candidate guidance documents
- Support records
- Attendance records
- Communication records
- Reasonable adjustment records where applicable
- Complaints and appeals records
Standard 10: Institutional Resources and Learning Environment
10.1 Facilities
The provider must have appropriate physical or digital facilities to deliver the approved program.
10.2 Digital Learning Environment
Where online or blended learning is used, the provider must ensure that the learning platform is accessible, secure, organized, and suitable for the program requirements.
10.3 Assessment Environment
The assessment environment must be suitable for the assessment method used, including secure examination arrangements where required.
10.4 Learning Materials
Learning materials must be accurate, current, professionally relevant, and aligned with the approved program specification.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Facility records
- LMS screenshots or access evidence
- Learning resource list
- Equipment records
- Assessment room arrangements
- Online platform policies
- Technical support records
- Accessibility arrangements
Standard 11: Records, Data Protection, and Confidentiality
11.1 Records Management
The provider must maintain accurate, secure, and retrievable records related to learners, programs, assessments, results, certificates, complaints, appeals, staff, and quality assurance.
11.2 Data Protection
The provider must protect personal data in accordance with applicable laws and ATU-CPAC requirements.
11.3 Confidentiality
Candidate data, assessment materials, results, and institutional records must be handled confidentially.
11.4 Retention Period
The provider must retain records for the period required by ATU-CPAC policy, legal requirements, or the approved provider agreement.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Data protection policy
- Records retention policy
- Secure storage procedures
- Access control records
- Candidate data consent forms
- Result records
- Certificate request records
- Archived assessment evidence
- Data breach records where applicable
Standard 12: Certificate Issuance and Verification Controls
12.1 Certificate Authority
The provider must not issue ATU professional certifications, ATU assessed certificates, or ATU accreditation certificates independently unless expressly authorized within the approved procedure.
All ATU credentials are issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.
12.2 Certificate Request Procedure
The provider must submit certificate requests according to ATU-CPAC procedures, including required candidate data, assessment results, evidence confirmation, and quality assurance approval.
12.3 Verification and Registry
Eligible credentials shall be recorded in ATU, ATU-CPAC, or approved verification registries according to the applicable registry rules.
12.4 Misuse Prevention
The provider must prevent misuse of certificate templates, certificate numbers, digital badges, logos, seals, and verification statements.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Certificate request forms
- Approved result lists
- Candidate eligibility records
- IQA sign-off records
- Certificate issuance records
- Registry submission records
- Verification records
- Logo and certificate use approvals
Standard 13: Ethics, Integrity, and Professional Conduct
13.1 Ethical Practice
The provider must conduct all activities honestly, professionally, fairly, and in accordance with ATU-CPAC standards.
13.2 Misrepresentation
The provider must not misrepresent its accreditation status, approved scope, certificate authority, partnership status, or program approval.
13.3 Conflict of Interest
The provider must identify, declare, and manage conflicts of interest involving staff, trainers, assessors, candidates, partners, and decision-makers.
13.4 Malpractice and Maladministration
The provider must have procedures to prevent, investigate, report, and correct malpractice and maladministration.
Examples shall include:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Falsified evidence
- Assessment manipulation
- Unauthorized certificate issuance
- Misleading advertising
- Improper use of ATU-CPAC marks
- Undeclared conflict of interest
- Insecure exam handling
- False candidate information
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Code of conduct
- Conflict of interest policy
- Malpractice policy
- Declarations
- Investigation reports
- Corrective action records
- Disciplinary records where applicable
Standard 14: Marketing, Public Information, and Use of ATU-CPAC Marks
14.1 Accurate Public Information
The provider must ensure that all public information is accurate, clear, current, and not misleading.
14.2 Approved Wording
The provider must use approved wording when describing its accreditation status, approved programs, certification pathways, and relationship with ATU-CPAC.
14.3 Use of Logos and Marks
The provider shall only use ATU, ATU-CPAC, or related marks according to approved brand and authorization rules.
14.4 Advertising Restrictions
The provider must not advertise programs, certificates, or certification outcomes that are outside its approved scope.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Marketing materials
- Website screenshots
- Social media samples
- Approved wording records
- Logo use approval records
- Program brochures
- Public information review records
Standard 15: Partner, Branch, and Subcontractor Compliance
15.1 Control of Delivery Partners
If the provider uses branches, delivery partners, subcontractors, instructors, agents, or external assessment locations, it remains responsible for ensuring compliance with ATU-CPAC standards.
15.2 Prior Approval
The provider must obtain approval before using any third party to deliver, assess, market, or administer ATU-approved programs where required.
15.3 Partner Monitoring
The provider must monitor partner activities and maintain evidence of compliance.
15.4 No Unauthorized Delegation
The provider must not delegate certificate issuance authority, assessment approval authority, or ATU-CPAC representation authority unless expressly approved.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Partner agreements
- Branch approval records
- Subcontractor due diligence records
- Monitoring reports
- Partner staff records
- Marketing approvals
- Compliance checklists
- Corrective action records
Standard 16: Complaints, Appeals, and Candidate Protection
16.1 Complaints Procedure
The provider must have a clear complaints procedure for learners, candidates, staff, partners, and stakeholders.
16.2 Appeals Procedure
The provider must have a clear appeals procedure for candidates who wish to challenge assessment decisions or procedural decisions.
16.3 Escalation to ATU-CPAC
Where required, unresolved complaints or appeals shall be escalated according to ATU-CPAC procedures.
16.4 Records and Timelines
All complaints and appeals must be recorded, investigated, resolved, and reported within defined timelines.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Complaints policy
- Appeals policy
- Complaint forms
- Appeal forms
- Investigation records
- Decision letters
- Corrective action records
- Escalation records
Standard 17: Monitoring, Reporting, and Accreditation Maintenance
17.1 Ongoing Compliance
Accreditation is not a one-time approval. The provider must maintain continuous compliance with ATU-CPAC standards throughout the accreditation period.
17.2 Required Reporting
The provider shall be required to submit periodic reports covering:
- Enrolment numbers
- Completion rates
- Assessment results
- Certification requests
- Complaints and appeals
- Trainer and assessor updates
- Program changes
- Quality assurance activities
- Corrective actions
- Marketing updates
- Partner activities
17.3 Notification of Changes
The provider must notify ATU-CPAC of significant changes, including:
- Ownership changes
- Legal status changes
- Management changes
- Location changes
- New branches
- New delivery partners
- Key staff changes
- Program changes
- Assessment changes
- Quality assurance changes
- Any event affecting compliance
17.4 Site Visits and Audits
The provider must cooperate with announced or unannounced monitoring, audits, document reviews, remote reviews, or site visits.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Annual reports
- Monitoring reports
- Updated staff lists
- Program delivery reports
- Assessment outcome data
- Audit records
- Change notification records
- Corrective action plans
- Renewal application records
Standard 18: Renewal, Suspension, Withdrawal, and Revocation
18.1 Renewal
The provider must apply for renewal before the expiry of its accreditation period and must demonstrate continued compliance.
18.2 Conditional Approval
ATU-CPAC shall issue conditional approval where minor non-compliances are identified and corrective action is required.
18.3 Suspension
Accreditation shall be suspended where there are serious concerns about compliance, assessment integrity, certificate misuse, quality assurance failure, or misrepresentation.
18.4 Withdrawal or Revocation
Accreditation shall be withdrawn or revoked where there is major or repeated non-compliance, false information, serious malpractice, unauthorized certificate issuance, or damage to the integrity of ATU credentials.
18.5 Teach-Out and Candidate Protection
Where accreditation is suspended or withdrawn, the provider must cooperate with ATU-CPAC to protect registered learners and candidates, including teach-out arrangements where applicable.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Renewal records
- Corrective action reports
- Suspension correspondence where applicable
- Candidate protection plans
- Teach-out plans
- Final assessment records
- Closure or transfer records where applicable
Accreditation Assessment Methodology
ATU-CPAC shall assess provider compliance using a combination of the following methods:
1. Application Review
Review of the provider’s legal, institutional, administrative, financial, academic, and quality assurance documentation.
2. Document Review
Detailed review of policies, procedures, program specifications, assessment instruments, staff records, learner records, and quality assurance evidence.
3. Interview
Interviews with senior management, program coordinators, trainers, assessors, internal quality assurers, administrative staff, learners, or partners.
4. Observation
Observation of training delivery, assessment activities, learner support, examination administration, or internal quality assurance activities.
5. Sampling
Sampling of learner evidence, assessment decisions, certificates, program files, staff files, complaints, appeals, and quality assurance records.
6. Site Visit or Remote Audit
On-site or remote review of facilities, resources, systems, records, delivery arrangements, assessment security, and institutional compliance.
7. Corrective Action Review
Review of the provider’s response to non-compliance findings and verification that corrective actions have been implemented effectively.
Compliance Rating System
ATU-CPAC shall classify compliance findings as follows:
Compliant
The provider meets the standard and maintains sufficient evidence.
Minor Non-Compliance
The provider generally meets the standard but requires improvement in documentation, consistency, or implementation.
Major Non-Compliance
The provider fails to meet a key requirement, creating risk to quality, fairness, assessment integrity, learner protection, or certificate credibility.
Critical Non-Compliance
The provider demonstrates serious failure, malpractice, misrepresentation, unauthorized certificate activity, data misuse, or conduct that threatens the integrity of ATU credentials.
Accreditation Decisions
Based on the review outcome, ATU-CPAC shall recommend one of the following decisions under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union:
- Accreditation approved
- Accreditation approved with conditions
- Accreditation deferred pending corrective action
- Accreditation limited to a specific scope
- Accreditation suspended
- Accreditation withdrawn
- Accreditation refused
- Accreditation renewed
- Accreditation not renewed
Provider Obligations After Accreditation
An accredited provider must:
- Operate only within the approved scope
- Follow ATU-CPAC standards and procedures
- Maintain qualified trainers, assessors, and quality assurance personnel
- Deliver only approved programs
- Use approved assessment methods
- Maintain secure and accurate records
- Submit results and certificate requests correctly
- Cooperate with monitoring and audits
- Report significant changes
- Protect learners and candidates
- Use ATU-CPAC marks correctly
- Avoid misleading claims
- Maintain confidentiality and data protection
- Implement corrective actions when required
- Apply for renewal before expiry
Minimum Provider File Requirements
Each accredited provider should maintain a complete provider accreditation file containing:
- Legal registration documents
- Accreditation approval letter
- Approved scope of accreditation
- Provider agreement
- Organizational chart
- Governance policy
- Quality assurance manual
- Program specifications
- Trainer and assessor files
- IQA records
- Learner registration records
- Assessment records
- Certificate request records
- Complaints and appeals records
- Marketing approval records
- Partner and branch records where applicable
- Monitoring and audit reports
- Corrective action plans
- Annual review reports
- Renewal records