Who can become a training organisation today?

Today, becoming a training organisation is open to a wide range of players.

Any individual or legal entity can carry out professional training activity, as long as it delivers actions that contribute to skills development. This applies equally to independent trainers and to companies, associations or teaching organisations. There is no diploma or specific status prerequisite to get started.

However, the framework changes as soon as the organisation wants to access public or pooled funding. At that point, becoming a Qualiopi-certified training organisation becomes essential. The certification concerns all providers offering training actions, skills assessments, VAE (validation of acquired experience) or apprenticeship training, including independents. The key point is therefore not the legal profile, but the nature of the actions delivered and the funding sources targeted.

Our recommendation: before starting a Qualiopi process, identify precisely the types of actions you deliver: the certification applies differently depending on the category of services declared.

What steps are needed to obtain training organisation status?

Obtaining training organisation status relies on a precise administrative procedure, often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, you do not “apply” for this status in advance: it is obtained after delivering a first training action. The administration records an existing activity, not a project.

In practice, to become a training organisation, you need to:

• have a declared legal structure
• sell and deliver at least one real training course
• draw up a formalised training programme
• enter into a training contract or agreement
• issue an invoice linked to this action
• file an activity declaration within the legal deadlines

Once the declaration is validated, the organisation is officially recognised and can operate as a training provider. This status is essential before considering any steps to become a Qualiopi-certified training organisation.

Our recommendation: do not file the declaration without solid evidence: the documents from the first training are systematically analysed by the administration.

What is Qualiopi certification for, and when is it mandatory?

Qualiopi certification attests to the quality of the processes implemented by providers of actions contributing to skills development. It was created to guarantee a common level of requirements and offer better clarity to companies, funders and beneficiaries of training.

Since 1 January 2022, the certification has been mandatory for all organisations wishing to access public or pooled funds. It covers training actions, skills assessments, validation of acquired experience and apprenticeship training. However, an organisation can operate without Qualiopi if it funds its actions solely from its own or private funds.

Our recommendation: anticipate Qualiopi from the design stage of your processes: adapting your practices afterwards is always more complex.

What requirements must be met to be Qualiopi-certified?

Being Qualiopi-certified means demonstrating the quality of processes, not just of content. The certification is based on the national quality framework, common to all providers, and checks that the organisation is able to inform, design, deliver and improve its services in a structured and traceable way.

Specifically, the organisation must in particular prove that it:

• clearly informs the public about its services, lead times and results
• defines precise objectives and adapts its services to its audiences
• provides suitable reception, support and evaluation
• has appropriate educational, technical and human resources
• relies on competent trainers who keep developing their skills
• is embedded in its professional environment
• collects and handles feedback and complaints

These requirements are assessed on the basis of documented and operational evidence, adapted to the type of actions delivered.

To illustrate your organisation during the audit, it is strongly recommended to create an organisation chart for your training organisation that clarifies the distribution of responsibilities

Our recommendation: prepare your evidence from your real practices: “theoretical” documents that are not applied are quickly spotted in an audit.

How does the Qualiopi audit work?

The Qualiopi audit is a documentary and operational audit carried out by an accredited certification body. It is not a theoretical exam, but a concrete check of your practices against the national quality framework. The audit generally takes place remotely or on site, depending on the size and activity of the organisation.

The auditor notably analyses:

• your mandatory documents (processes, materials, indicators)
• the consistency between what is written and what is actually applied
• the evidence linked to the actions actually delivered
• the adaptation of the requirements to your type of activity

At the end of the audit, non-conformities may be raised. They must be corrected within a set period to obtain or keep the certification. Once certified, a surveillance audit takes place about 18 months later.

Our recommendation: in an audit, always explain your practices with real examples: the auditor assesses how things actually work, not the perfection of the documents.

What obligations apply after obtaining Qualiopi?

Obtaining Qualiopi certification is not an end in itself, but the start of a long-term commitment. Once certified, the organisation must keep its practices compliant with the national quality framework throughout the certification cycle, which is valid for three years.

After obtaining Qualiopi, the organisation must notably:

• continuously apply the processes presented during the audit
• keep and update the evidence associated with the actions delivered
• follow the rules of use of the Qualiopi mark
• undergo a surveillance audit at around 18 months
• prepare the renewal audit at the end of the three years

Any significant change in activity (new actions, change of organisation) must remain compliant with Qualiopi requirements. A lasting gap between practices and the framework can lead to non-conformities.

Our recommendation: set up a regular quality review: it avoids discovering gaps only at the surveillance audit.

By structuring your processes properly from the start, becoming a Qualiopi-certified training organisation becomes a controlled, lasting approach aligned with the real requirements of the sector.

Once certified, you can consider new horizons, such as developing apprenticeship training if your training organisation wants to become a CFA (apprentice training centre).

FAQ – Becoming a Qualiopi-certified training organisation

Who actually issues the Qualiopi certification?

Qualiopi certification is issued by accredited certification bodies or bodies authorised by Cofrac, as well as by certain labelling bodies recognised by France compétences.

Is Qualiopi certification valid for a limited time?

Yes. Qualiopi certification is issued for a period of three years, subject to compliance with the interim audits required by the regulations.

Can a certified organisation freely use the Qualiopi logo?

No. Use of the Qualiopi mark is governed by rules of use, a usage charter and a graphic charter, provided after a favourable initial audit.

Does Qualiopi also apply to independent trainers?

Yes. Independent trainers are covered by Qualiopi as soon as they wish to access public or pooled funding.

Are higher education institutions covered by Qualiopi?

Yes. Since 2023, certain higher education institutions can benefit from use of the Qualiopi mark under conditions set by the Labour Code.

Does Qualiopi assess the educational results of training courses?

Not directly. Qualiopi attests to the quality of the processes implemented, not the individual performance of learners or of the content.