Micro-credential listing, approval, and accreditation

Information about applying for listing, approval, and accreditation of NZQCF micro-credentials

About micro-credentials

Micro-credentials are small, stand-alone awards with set learning outcomes. They're part of Aotearoa’s education and training system.

Micro-credentials recognise learners' skills, experience or knowledge, while meeting demand from employers, industry and communities.

Micro-credentials that we've quality assured are:

  • listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
  • 1 to 40 credits in size
  • taught at all levels of the NZQCF
  • delivered by accredited education providers
  • developed because there's evidence they're needed.

The micro-credential rules

Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022

Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation Rules 2022

Guidelines for micro-credential listing, approval and accreditation

Before you apply, make sure you read the guidelines.

These guidelines tell you what NZQA rules apply, what information you need to provide and how we evaluate your application.

Go to the guidelines

Reviewing micro-credentials

Micro-credentials need to be reviewed regularly for currency, content and delivery.

You can propose a 1, 2, or 3-year review period when you list a micro-credential. All micro-credentials approved before 2023 have a 1-year review period. 

Developers review a micro-credential, checking:

  • if there's still evidence of need
  • if any updates or adjustments are required.

Providers review their delivery of a micro-credential, checking:

  • learner outcomes
  • their capability to deliver the micro-credential.

The processes for notifying NZQA of a micro-credential review is coming soon.

Download the template for micro-credential annual review report [DOCX, 71 KB]

Reporting achievement

Make sure you let us know when learners complete a micro-credential. We'll list it on their New Zealand Record of Achievement.

Go to the submitting results page

Moving from training schemes to micro-credentials

Changes to the Education and Training Act 2020 mean training schemes are now treated as micro-credentials.

We can't approve new training schemes, but existing training schemes can continue until they're retired or reviewed.

If you have a training scheme, you can consider:

  • applying to change the training scheme to a micro-credential under the new rules for micro-credential listing, approval, and accreditation
  • applying for listing, approval and accreditation of a new micro-credential
  • seeking accreditation to deliver a micro-credential developed by the standard setting body as a replacement for your training scheme
  • waiting until NZQA and the SSB announce the special review for the subject area of your training scheme. All providers with training schemes and micro-credentials will be consulted as part of a special review.

If you have questions about moving from training schemes to micro-credentials, please email us at micro-credentials@nzqa.govt.nz.

Micro-credential equivalency with the NZQCF

You can ask NZQA to assess your micro-credential's equivalency with the NZQCF. After we assess your micro-credential, we provide you with a statement of equivalency.

This statement gives you valuable information you can share with your employees, stakeholders, or customers.

More information and how to apply

Get more information or give the micro-credentials team feedback