Certifying colleague's supporting documentation

How do I go about this?

1) Check your CII or Personal Finance Society membership hasn't lapsed

If you have any queries on your CII membership status, you may enter your details within the CII member search, log in to your CII account or contact CII Customer Service on 020 8989 8464 or via web chat.

2) Check your colleague’s qualification documentation is complete and the copy of each document is a true representation of the original

We require the applicant’s documentation to be certified as true representation of the originals because we don’t ask them to send us their original documents. We accept evidence certified by CII and Personal Finance Society members because one of the requirements of membership is to uphold standards. In addition, CII has members’ contact details in case we need to follow up.

Your colleague (the applicant) will show you their original:

1. qualification completion certificate. This will contain the awarding organisation's name and logo, the qualification name, student's name and date awarded
2. qualification results transcript. This will contain the list of modules / units passed, dates and results. It will also show whether any of the modules / units have been awarded by exemption
3. legal document confirming change of name, such as deed poll or marriage certificate. This is only needed if there is a difference between the name on the qualification documentation and their current name.

What should I do if the documentation is incomplete?

CII’s approach is to close incomplete applications. We find that where this happens, applicants approach their certifiers for a second time several weeks later. Feedback from certifiers is it’s beneficial for all parties to ensure the applicant’s submission is complete before the certifier agrees to certify the evidence.

A complete submission contains:

1. the name of the non-CII qualification and evidence that the applicant successfully completed it (graduation certificate for degrees or completion certificate for CII-affiliated insurance institute qualifications and other professional qualifications)*
2. a results transcript, which confirms the qualification modules / units, assessment dates and pass / fail / exemptions.

* Only qualifications that are based on common sets of standards, for example UK Financial Services regulatory exams for retail financial advisers don’t require the applicant to have completed the qualification. For all other qualifications, we require evidence that the full qualification has been awarded.

If you have any queries, please call CII Customer Service on 020 8989 8464.

What options do I have for certifying?

There are 2 options for the applicant to present the certified documentation to you:

1. The applicant presents you with copies as well as the original documents. Please inspect the original documentation and confirm that the copies is true representations by writing on the copy (following the example on the CII website). Ensure you don’t write on the original documentation.
2. The applicant emails you an electronic copy as well as presenting you with the originals. Please inspect the original documentation and confirm that the copy is a true representation by emailing the following wording to the applicant: I have inspected the original documents and confirm they are true representations. Please quote my CII PIN (xxxxxxxxx) within the application form. 

Refer to the most common reasons for unsuccessful applications, then return the documentation to your colleague.

What happens after I have certified the copies as true representations of the originals?

The applicant will make a separate application for each of their non-CII qualifications.

If you selected option 1, the applicant will scan the copies that you have certified, upload them into the CII online application form. Alternatively, if you selected option 2, the applicant will upload your email exchange and the scanned / electronic copies within the online application form.

The applicant will enter your name and CII PIN number within their form (at www.cii.co.uk/prior-learning). On receipt, CII will rely on your confirmation the applicant’s documentation is a true representation of the original. CII will also verify that you are a current member and confirm the application outcome to the applicant.