Certifying colleague's supporting documentation
Guidance on certifying your colleague’s qualification documentation for CII prior learning
My colleague wishes to apply for prior learning towards CII qualifications and has asked me to certify that their copy of their qualification documentation is a true representation of the original.
I am a current CII or Personal Finance Society member.
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:
- qualification completion certificate. This will contain the awarding organisation's name and logo, the qualification name, student's name and date awarded
- 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
- 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.
Please inspect the original documentation and confirm that the copy is a true representation by writing on the copy (following the example on the CII website). Then return both the original documentation and copy to your colleague.
Please ensure you don’t write on the original documentation.
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:
- 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)*
- 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 happens after I have certified the copies as true representations of the originals?
The applicant will scan the copies that you have certified, upload them into the CII online application form and enter your name and CII PIN number within their form (at www.cii.co.uk/prior-learning). CII will rely on your confirmation the applicant’s scanned documentation is a true representation of the original and verify that you are a current member. CII will then confirm the application outcome to the applicant.