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It enables anyone involved in working life, regardless of their status (employee, self-employed, volunteer, jobseeker), to transform their skills acquired through experience into an official certification. This may be a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of qualification, provided that it is registered in the National list of professional certifications (RNCP).

Introduced more than 20 years ago, VAE has become a recognised way of developing a career, securing qualifications or retraining. The system has been modernised, with more widespread support, simpler online procedures via and tighter supervision of certification bodies.

What is the purpose of VAE in a career path?

VAE can be used to enhance the value of professional skills acquired ‘on the job’, including outside the traditional school environment. It is particularly useful for consolidating a career, obtaining academic recognition equivalent to one's level of responsibility or gaining access to positions requiring a legally required diploma.

Take the example of an employee who has been doing a job for several years without having the corresponding diploma. Thanks to VAE, they can obtain this diploma, which reinforces their legitimacy, improves their career prospects and may even secure their position. The same applies to people wishing to set up a business in a regulated sector, such as the catering trade, hairdressing, real estate or private security. VAE opens doors that are often closed without an official diploma.

In a context of professional transition, VAE is also an excellent tool for formalising skills and facilitating retraining.

What diplomas or qualifications can be obtained through VAE? 

VAE enables you to obtain the same qualifications as those awarded through initial or continuing training. No mention is made on the final document of the method of acquisition, which guarantees perfect equivalence. 

Most professional sectors are covered: agriculture, sport, social work, culture, construction, crafts, industry, IT, health, etc. Qualifications are issued by the relevant ministries (Education, Labour, Health, etc.), consular chambers (chambers of trade, chambers of commerce), universities or approved private bodies. 

Diplomas accessible through VAE range from CAPs to Masters degrees, as well as professional qualifications, industry certifications (CPNE) and state diplomas (DE). 

However, some professions are still excluded from the scheme. This is the case, for example, in medicine and national defence, where VAE cannot replace regulated initial training.

How do I apply for VAE?

The VAE process is open to anyone with at least one year's experience, whether in employment, voluntary work or in an unpaid capacity, provided that this experience is directly related to the qualification in question.

The first step is to identify the diploma or qualification that best matches your background. This can be done independently on the vae.gouv.fr website or with the help of a VAE adviser.

You will then need to fill in an admissibility file (CERFA form), which you can download and send to the certifying body along with the necessary supporting documents. If the application is deemed admissible, you can move on to the next stage: preparing the validation file. This describes your experience and highlights the skills you have acquired.

Personalised support is now strongly recommended (and often required if the VAE is financed via the CPF or another public scheme). It helps you to formalise your skills, prepare for the viva and maximise your chances of obtaining full validation.

The final stage involves presenting your application to a validation panel made up of teachers and professionals from the sector. The panel may approve your application in full, in part or reject it. In the event of partial validation, you can obtain the missing blocks of skills through additional training.

VAE is much more than just an administrative process. It can be used to enhance the value of years of experience, to take a professional step forward, or to facilitate a return to employment. By offering official recognition of the skills acquired, it helps to restore self-confidence and boost employability.

With the 2023-2025 reform, VAE is now more accessible, better supervised and better funded. It is an integral part of public policies designed to support lifelong career development.