TAQA Qualifications Explained: What Replaced A1, D32/D33 and V1
If you trained as an assessor before 2010, you probably hold D32/D33 or A1. If you are starting now, you will be looking at TAQA. A guide to how the assessor and quality assurance qualifications have changed, what each one in the current suite is for, and whether your old certificate still counts.
In short
TAQA — Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance — is the suite of UK qualifications for assessors, internal quality assurers and external quality assurers, introduced in 2010. It replaced the older A1/A2 and V1/V2 awards, which had themselves replaced the D32/D33/D34/D35 units. The suite has four Level 3 assessor qualifications, including the Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA), and Level 4 qualifications for internal and external quality assurance. Legacy qualifications are generally still recognised, though assessment strategies may expect evidence of current practice.
Key takeaways
- Assessor qualifications have gone through three generations — D units, A and V units, then TAQA from 2010
- TAQA has four Level 3 assessor qualifications and Level 4 qualifications for IQA and EQA
- A1 is closest to the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment; V1 to the Level 4 IQA Award
- Older qualifications do not expire, but you may need to show your practice is current
- Knowledge-only awards are useful stepping stones but do not qualify you to assess or quality assure on their own
Ask a room of experienced assessors what qualification they hold and you will hear D32, D33, A1, V1, CAVA and "TAQA" — sometimes in the same breath. The names have changed several times over the past three decades, and it is not always obvious how the old qualifications line up with the new ones, or whether an older certificate still counts.
This guide sets out how the assessor and quality assurance qualifications have developed, what is in the current TAQA suite, how the older awards map to the newer ones, and how to choose the right qualification for your role.
Related: Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment in TVET
A short history: D units, A and V units, then TAQA
Assessor and quality assurance qualifications in the UK have gone through three main generations, each based on the national occupational standards for learning and development in force at the time.
The D units (1990s)
The first generation came with the introduction of NVQs. The D units set out the standards for people assessing and verifying competence-based qualifications:
- D32 — assess candidate performance
- D33 — assess candidate using differing sources of evidence
- D34 — internally verify the assessment process
- D35 — externally verify the assessment process
Many experienced assessors still hold D32/D33, and many IQAs hold D34.
The A and V units (2000s)
In the early 2000s the D units were replaced by new awards based on updated standards:
- A1 — assess candidates using a range of methods
- A2 — assess candidates' performance through observation
- V1 — conduct internal quality assurance of the assessment process
- V2 — conduct external quality assurance of the assessment process
A1 and V1 became the qualifications most job adverts asked for throughout the 2000s, which is why "A1 assessor" is still a widely used term.
TAQA (2010 onwards)
In 2010 the A and V units were replaced by the TAQA suite — Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance — based on revised learning and development standards. The suite was designed to be more flexible: it separates knowledge from practice, and covers assessment in training environments as well as the workplace. TAQA qualifications are offered by a range of awarding organisations, including TQUK, NCFE and City & Guilds, and are regulated on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
The full TAQA suite
The suite has three groups of qualifications: assessment, internal quality assurance and external quality assurance.
Assessment — Level 3
| Qualification | What it covers | Qualifies you to |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment | Knowledge only | Nothing on its own |
| Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment | Knowledge plus assessing in the workplace | Assess in the work environment |
| Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement | Knowledge plus assessing in training environments | Assess in classrooms, workshops and other learning settings |
| Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) | Knowledge plus both practical units | Assess in both settings |
For a detailed breakdown, see What Is the CAVA Qualification?
Internal quality assurance — Level 4
| Qualification | What it covers | Qualifies you to |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice | Knowledge only | Nothing on its own |
| Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice | Knowledge plus carrying out IQA | Carry out internal quality assurance |
| Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice | IQA plus leading and managing IQA | Carry out and lead internal quality assurance |
For more on the IQA role, see IQA Qualifications Explained.
External quality assurance — Level 4
| Qualification | What it covers | Qualifies you to |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Award in Understanding the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice | Knowledge only | Nothing on its own |
| Level 4 Award in the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice | Knowledge plus carrying out EQA | Carry out external quality assurance |
| Level 4 Certificate in Leading the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice | EQA plus leading and managing EQA | Carry out and lead external quality assurance |
The EQA qualifications are for people working for, or on behalf of, awarding organisations, quality assuring centres rather than individual assessors.
How the old qualifications map to TAQA
There is no exact one-to-one mapping, because the standards changed each time. The closest modern equivalents are:
| Older qualification | Closest TAQA equivalent |
|---|---|
| D32 / A2 (assessing through observation) | Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment |
| D33 / A1 (assessing using a range of methods) | Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment |
| No direct equivalent | Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement |
| No direct equivalent | Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) |
| D34 / V1 (internal verification) | Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice |
| D35 / V2 (external verification) | Level 4 Award in the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice |
The biggest change is the addition of assessment in training environments. The D and A units focused on the workplace; TAQA explicitly covers classrooms, workshops and simulated settings too, which is why CAVA has no direct predecessor.
Do old qualifications still count?
Generally, yes. Qualifications do not expire, and D32/D33, A1, D34 and V1 are still widely accepted by training providers, colleges and awarding organisations.
The question is not usually whether the certificate is valid, but whether your practice is current. Assessment strategies — the rules each sector sets for its assessors and quality assurers — commonly require you to show that you are working to the current standards. In practice that often means:
- recent, relevant CPD in assessment practice
- a record of continued assessment or IQA activity
- in some sectors or organisations, a short update or the knowledge unit from the TAQA suite
If you hold an older qualification and are returning to assessment after a break, or moving into a new sector, check the assessment strategy for the qualification you will be working with.
Related: Recording and Monitoring CPD for TVET Trainers
Which TAQA qualification do you need?
- You assess people in their jobs: Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment.
- You assess in classrooms, workshops or training centres only: Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement.
- You assess in both, or want maximum flexibility: Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).
- You need the theory but don't yet have learners: Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment.
- You quality assure assessors' decisions: Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
- You lead a team of IQAs or manage quality across a centre: Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance.
- You quality assure centres for an awarding organisation: Level 4 Award in the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
If you are new to assessment altogether, see How to Become an NVQ Assessor for the full route in, including the occupational competence you need first.
Frequently asked questions
Is TAQA one qualification?
No. TAQA is the name of the suite. When people say "I have TAQA" they usually mean one of the Level 3 assessor qualifications — most often CAVA — but it is better to name the specific qualification.
Do I need to redo my A1 to keep assessing?
Usually not. A1 is generally still accepted. What you may need is evidence that your practice is current, such as recent CPD. Check the assessment strategy for the qualifications you assess.
Is TAQA the same as a teaching qualification?
No. TAQA qualifications cover assessment and quality assurance. Teaching qualifications, such as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, cover teaching and training. Many vocational roles ask for both.
Can I go straight to the Level 4 IQA qualification?
There is not always a formal prerequisite, but most IQAs hold an assessor qualification first, and many centres and assessment strategies expect IQAs to have assessment experience. Quality assuring other people's assessment decisions is very difficult without having made them yourself.
Are TAQA qualifications recognised outside the UK?
They are UK qualifications, regulated in England, and are designed around UK national occupational standards. Some international providers use them, but recognition outside the UK depends on the country and the organisation.
Related: Exploring the UK's TVET System: A Model of Inclusivity and Quality
This article explains the qualifications in general terms. Qualification titles, content and entry requirements are set by each awarding organisation and can change, and the acceptance of legacy qualifications is governed by each sector's assessment strategy. Always check the current requirements before you enrol or apply for a role.
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