ATU |Council for Professional Accreditation and Certification

1. Document Control

Document Title: ATU-CPAC Internal Quality Assurance Policy
Document Owner: ATU-CPAC Quality Assurance and Compliance Committee
Issuing Authority: Arab Trainers Union
Policy Authority: ATU-CPAC Governing Council
Approval Authority: Arab Trainers Union Board of Directors, where required
Effective Date: 1 June 2026
Review Date: Every three years, or earlier where required
Applicability: ATU-CPAC, approved providers, accredited providers, authorized assessment centers, trainers, assessors, internal quality assurers, external quality assurers, candidates, learners, and partners involved in ATU-CPAC-governed activities

2. Introduction

The Arab Trainers Union Council for Professional Accreditation and Certification, referred to as ATU-CPAC, is a specialized council operating within the Arab Trainers Union.

ATU-CPAC regulates, monitors, quality assures, and verifies professional accreditation, professional certification, assessed training programs, assessment systems, provider performance, and registry controls under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

Internal Quality Assurance, referred to as IQA, is the process used to confirm that assessment decisions, provider practices, training delivery, records, evidence, and certification recommendations are consistent, fair, valid, reliable, and compliant with ATU-CPAC standards.

All certificates, professional certifications, assessed certificates, accreditation certificates, registry confirmations, and verification records governed by ATU-CPAC are issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

3. Purpose

This policy sets out how internal quality assurance shall be planned, conducted, recorded, reviewed, and improved within ATU-CPAC-governed programs and certification pathways.

The policy aims to:

1. Protect the credibility of ATU-issued certificates and professional certifications.
2. Ensure assessment decisions are fair, consistent, valid, reliable, and evidence-based.
3. Confirm that providers apply ATU-CPAC standards correctly.
4. Monitor assessor performance and feedback quality.
5. Identify risks, nonconformities, and improvement needs.
6. Support external quality assurance and accreditation decisions.
7. Ensure certificate recommendations are supported by verified evidence.
8. Strengthen continuous improvement across providers, programs, assessments, and certification schemes.

4. Scope

This policy applies to IQA activities related to:

1. Professional certification assessments.
2. Assessed training programs.
3. Certificates of achievement.
4. Accredited training programs.
5. Accredited professional programs.
6. Provider-based assessments.
7. Authorized assessment centers.
8. Online, blended, face-to-face, and workplace assessments.
9. Assignments, examinations, projects, portfolios, practical tasks, observations, and interviews.
10. Recognition of Prior Learning or experience-based evidence where approved.
11. Partner-endorsed or jointly supported programs where applicable.
12. Transition review of existing ATU accredited centers and certified trainers.

This policy applies to all providers delivering ATU-CPAC-governed training, assessment, or professional certification pathways.

5. Internal Quality Assurance Principles

ATU-CPAC internal quality assurance shall be guided by the following principles.

5.1 Integrity

IQA shall protect the value, credibility, and trust of ATU-issued credentials.

5.2 Validity

IQA shall confirm that assessment evidence matches the approved learning outcomes, assessment criteria, competencies, or professional standards.

5.3 Reliability

IQA shall support consistent assessment decisions across assessors, candidates, providers, programs, and delivery modes.

5.4 Fairness

IQA shall ensure that candidates are assessed fairly and that reasonable adjustment, feedback, reassessment, complaints, and appeals are handled appropriately.

5.5 Impartiality

IQA shall be free from bias, conflict of interest, improper influence, commercial pressure, or personal relationship.

5.6 Evidence-Based Review

IQA decisions shall be based on documented evidence, approved rubrics, sampling records, assessment files, candidate submissions, and assessor feedback.

5.7 Proportionality

IQA sampling shall be proportionate to risk, program level, provider history, assessor experience, assessment method, and certification impact.

5.8 Confidentiality

Candidate records, assessment evidence, results, IQA reports, complaints, appeals, and investigation records shall be protected.

5.9 Continuous Improvement

IQA findings shall be used to improve assessment design, assessor practice, provider performance, learner support, and quality assurance systems.

6. IQA Requirements

Each provider delivering ATU-CPAC-governed programs or assessments shall maintain an internal quality assurance system appropriate to its approved scope.

The provider must demonstrate:

1. Approved IQA policy or procedure.
2. Appointed qualified IQA personnel.
3. IQA plan for each active program or certification pathway.
4. Sampling strategy.
5. Assessor monitoring process.
6. Standardization arrangements.
7. Assessment review process.
8. Candidate evidence review process.
9. Corrective action process.
10. Record retention and confidentiality controls.
11. Reporting process to ATU-CPAC where required.
12. Cooperation with external quality assurance.

7. IQA Planning

Providers shall prepare an IQA plan before assessment delivery or certificate recommendation.

The IQA plan should include:

1. Program or certification title.
2. Assessment methods covered.
3. Assessors covered.
4. Candidate sample size.
5. Sampling rationale.
6. Risk level.
7. IQA dates.
8. IQA responsibilities.
9. Records to be reviewed.
10. Standardization activities.
11. Corrective action follow-up.
12. Reporting arrangements.

The IQA plan shall be updated where there are significant changes, new assessors, new programs, assessment concerns, high-risk results, complaints, appeals, or malpractice concerns.

8. IQA Sampling

IQA sampling shall be risk-based, representative, and sufficient to confirm assessment quality.

Sampling should consider:

1. New assessors.
2. New providers.
3. New programs.
4. New assessment methods.
5. High-stakes certification.
6. Borderline results.
7. Failed submissions.
8. High-scoring submissions.
9. High pass rates.
10. Low pass rates.
11. Candidate complaints or appeals.
12. Previous IQA or EQA findings.
13. Assessment method variety.
14. Delivery mode.
15. Partner requirements where applicable.

Suggested sampling guidance:

9. IQA Review Areas

IQA shall review whether:

1. Candidate evidence is valid, authentic, sufficient, current, reliable, relevant, and traceable.
2. Assessors used approved criteria and rubrics.
3. Assessment decisions are fair and consistent.
4. Assessor feedback is clear, professional, and linked to criteria.
5. Candidate instructions were followed.
6. Reasonable adjustments were approved and recorded correctly.
7. Reassessment and resubmission rules were applied correctly.
8. Assessment security was maintained.
9. Academic integrity rules were applied.
10. Records are complete and accurate.
11. Results are ready for certification recommendation.
12. Any risks or nonconformities require corrective action.

10. Assessor Monitoring

IQA shall monitor assessor performance to ensure consistency and professional practice.

Assessor monitoring may include:

1. Review of marked work.
2. Review of assessor feedback.
3. Observation of practical assessment.
4. Review of grading patterns.
5. Review of pass and fail decisions.
6. Review of borderline judgments.
7. Discussion of assessment decisions.
8. Participation in standardization meetings.
9. Identification of assessor training needs.
10. Corrective action where assessor practice is inconsistent.

Assessors must cooperate with IQA and must not finalize certificate recommendations where required IQA review is pending.

11. Standardization

Standardization shall be used to ensure that assessors understand and apply assessment criteria consistently.

Standardization activities may include:

1. Review of assessment criteria.
2. Review of rubrics.
3. Discussion of sample candidate work.
4. Agreement on borderline decisions.
5. Review of feedback expectations.
6. Review of academic integrity rules.
7. Updates after complaints or appeals.
8. Briefing for new assessors.
9. Annual standardization for active programs.

Standardization records shall include date, attendees, program, assessment reviewed, key decisions, actions required, and responsible persons.

12. IQA Outcomes

IQA outcomes may include:

1. Assessment decision confirmed.
2. Assessment decision amended.
3. Additional evidence required.
4. Reassessment required.
5. Assessor feedback required.
6. Assessor standardization required.
7. Assessor retraining required.
8. Certificate recommendation approved.
9. Certificate recommendation withheld.
10. Corrective action required.
11. Malpractice or maladministration investigation required.
12. Referral to ATU-CPAC or EQA.

Where IQA identifies serious concerns, results or certificate issuance may be held until the issue is resolved.

13. Certificate Recommendation Controls

A provider shall not recommend a candidate for an ATU-issued certificate or professional certification unless required IQA checks are completed.

Before certificate recommendation, IQA shall confirm:

1. Candidate identity is verified.
2. Eligibility requirements are met.
3. Assessment evidence is complete.
4. Assessor decision is recorded.
5. Rubric or marking scheme is applied correctly.
6. Required pass mark or grading level is achieved.
7. Feedback is recorded where required.
8. Academic integrity concerns are resolved.
9. Reasonable adjustment records are complete where applicable.
10. IQA sampling decision is documented.
11. Any required corrective action is closed.
12. Candidate data for certificate issuance is accurate.

14. IQA and Risk Management

IQA shall support risk management by identifying issues that may affect assessment integrity, provider compliance, or certificate credibility.

IQA risk indicators include:

1. Unusually high pass rates.
2. Unusually low pass rates.
3. Repeated borderline decisions.
4. Weak assessor feedback.
5. Incomplete assessment evidence.
6. Missing records.
7. Late submissions not managed properly.
8. Plagiarism or AI misuse concerns.
9. Complaints or appeals.
10. New or inexperienced assessors.
11. Unapproved assessment materials.
12. Unapproved trainers or assessors.
13. Trainer certification gaps.
14. Assessment security concerns.
15. Failure to implement corrective actions.

High-risk findings must be reported to ATU-CPAC according to approved procedures.

15. Nonconformities and Corrective Action

IQA findings shall be classified and managed through corrective action.

Corrective action shall include:

1. Finding description.
2. Severity level.
3. Root cause.
4. Required action.
5. Responsible person.
6. Deadline.
7. Evidence required.
8. Verification method.
9. Closure decision.
10. Escalation where unresolved.

16. Malpractice and Maladministration

IQA shall identify and report suspected malpractice or maladministration.

Examples include:

1. Cheating.
2. Plagiarism.
3. Impersonation.
4. Collusion.
5. Falsified evidence.
6. Unauthorized use of assessment materials.
7. Unauthorized use of AI tools.
8. Bribery or improper influence.
9. Inaccurate assessment records.
10. Failure to follow assessment procedures.
11. Failure to conduct required IQA.
12. Misuse of ATU or ATU-CPAC certificate data.
13. Unauthorized certificate recommendation.

Suspected malpractice or maladministration shall be reported to the provider’s responsible officer and to ATU-CPAC where required.

17. IQA Records

Providers shall maintain complete and secure IQA records.

IQA records may include:

1. IQA policy or procedure.
2. IQA plan.
3. Sampling strategy.
4. IQA sampling records.
5. Candidate evidence reviewed.
6. Assessor feedback reviewed.
7. IQA decisions.
8. Standardization records.
9. Assessor monitoring records.
10. Corrective action records.
11. Malpractice referrals.
12. Certificate recommendation checks.
13. IQA reports.
14. EQA follow-up records.

Records shall be retained according to ATU policy, ATU-CPAC requirements, legal requirements, and partner requirements where applicable.

18. Responsibilities of ATU-CPAC

ATU-CPAC shall:

1. Set IQA requirements.
2. Approve IQA standards and procedures.
3. Monitor provider IQA implementation.
4. Review IQA records during accreditation, monitoring, and renewal.
5. Require corrective action where IQA is weak or absent.
6. Provide IQA guidance where required.
7. Link IQA findings to EQA and risk monitoring.
8. Hold certificate release where serious IQA concerns exist.
9. Review IQA trends for continuous improvement.
10. Protect the credibility of ATU-issued credentials.

19. Responsibilities of Providers

Approved and accredited providers shall:

1. Establish and implement an IQA system.
2. Appoint competent IQA personnel.
3. Prepare IQA plans.
4. Conduct risk-based sampling.
5. Monitor assessors.
6. Maintain standardization records.
7. Confirm assessment decisions before certificate recommendation.
8. Maintain accurate IQA records.
9. Report serious assessment concerns to ATU-CPAC.
10. Implement corrective actions.
11. Cooperate with EQA and ATU-CPAC monitoring.
12. Ensure trainers are certified by the Arab Trainers Union where required.
13. Ensure assessors and IQAs are competent and approved where required.

20. Responsibilities of Internal Quality Assurers

Internal Quality Assurers shall:

1. Understand ATU-CPAC standards and assessment requirements.
2. Apply IQA procedures consistently.
3. Sample assessment decisions fairly.
4. Review evidence against approved criteria.
5. Check assessor feedback quality.
6. Identify assessment risks.
7. Record IQA findings accurately.
8. Maintain impartiality.
9. Declare conflicts of interest.
10. Maintain confidentiality.
11. Recommend corrective action where required.
12. Escalate serious concerns.
13. Participate in standardization and continuous improvement.

21. Responsibilities of Assessors

Assessors shall:

1. Use approved assessment criteria and rubrics.
2. Make evidence-based decisions.
3. Provide clear feedback.
4. Record results accurately.
5. Submit assessment records for IQA.
6. Participate in standardization.
7. Act on IQA feedback.
8. Declare conflicts of interest.
9. Protect confidentiality.
10. Report suspected malpractice.

22. Responsibilities of Candidates and Learners

Candidates and learners shall:

1. Submit authentic evidence.
2. Follow assessment instructions.
3. Respect assessment deadlines.
4. Avoid cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, or collusion.
5. Declare AI use where required.
6. Cooperate with evidence verification.
7. Use complaints and appeals procedures properly.
8. Respect confidentiality of assessment materials.

23. Link with External Quality Assurance

IQA is the foundation for External Quality Assurance, referred to as EQA.

EQA may review:

1. IQA policy and procedure.
2. IQA plans.
3. Sampling records.
4. Candidate evidence.
5. Assessor decisions.
6. Standardization records.
7. Corrective actions.
8. Certificate recommendation controls.
9. Malpractice records.
10. Provider improvement actions.

Where EQA finds that IQA is ineffective, ATU-CPAC may require corrective action, increased monitoring, certificate hold, suspension of assessment activity, or provider status review.

24. Partner Requirements

Where programs or certifications are delivered with international, regional, or professional partners, IQA shall also comply with approved partner requirements.

Partner requirements may include:

1. Specific sampling percentages.
2. Assessment security rules.
3. Standardization requirements.
4. Reporting templates.
5. EQA release rules.
6. Candidate evidence rules.
7. Data sharing requirements.
8. Partner audit requirements.

No provider may claim partner approval or release certificate recommendations under partner arrangements unless all ATU-CPAC and partner IQA requirements are met.

25. Review of Policy

This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier where required due to:

1. ATU Board decision.
2. Legal or regulatory change.
3. ATU-CPAC standards update.
4. Assessment performance trends.
5. IQA or EQA findings.
6. Complaints or appeals trends.
7. Malpractice or maladministration cases.
8. Registry or certificate incidents.
9. Partner requirements.
10. Stakeholder feedback.
11. Operational need.

26. Definitions

Final Policy Statement

ATU-CPAC Internal Quality Assurance Policy exists to ensure that assessment decisions and certificate recommendations under the Arab Trainers Union framework are fair, valid, reliable, consistent, secure, and evidence-based.

Through structured IQA planning, risk-based sampling, assessor monitoring, standardization, corrective action, accurate records, and cooperation with external quality assurance, ATU-CPAC protects the credibility of ATU-issued certificates and professional certifications across Arab countries.