Do I need an Assessor Qualification as an IQA?

Technically, you don’t need an assessor qualification to become an IQA. But do we advise it? Absolutely.

Nowhere in the IQA specification does it say that trainee IQAs must be qualified Assessors. Having said that, we believe the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours you will learn with an Assessor qualification are vital to becoming an effective IQA. Plus, 9 times out of 10 an employer will look for you to hold both Assessor and IQA qualifications.

After all, how can an IQA know an Assessor is doing their job properly, if they don’t know how to assess properly?

For those who are looking at starting their journey to become an IQA, we would highly recommend completing the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement first. Then you can move on to your chosen IQA qualification. We offer both assessor and IQA courses at a discounted price in our Quality Manager bundle.

Which IQA qualification do I need?

At Brooks and Kirk, we offer all three qualifications within the IQA sector. They are the:

• Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
• Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
• Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

Let’s look at each of them in a little more detail.

Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

Unit 1 only

This is the most basic of all the IQA qualifications available. The qualification is ideal for you if you are interested in understanding the IQA process, but don’t want/need to IQA learners work. It doesn’t qualify you to internally quality assure anything. However, it does function as a great CPD course for Managers, and allows you to dip your toes in the world of IQA.

Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (IQA Award)

Unit 1 & 2

Being a step up from the previous qualification, this qualification is the closest to the old Internal Verifier (IV) qualification. This qualifies you to internally quality assure learners work, however, it doesn’t qualify you to be a quality lead or the quality nominee for a centre. If that is something that you’d need to do, then the qualification you will need is…

Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (Lead IQA)

Unit 1, 2 & 3

Better known as the ‘Lead IQA’, this is the top-dog of all the IQA qualifications. A Lead IQA qualification equips you with all the skills necessary to not only quality assure qualifications, but also lead and manage the whole quality assurance process.

So to answer the original question; we would say yes – you do need an Assessor Qualification to become an Internal Quality Assurer.

Whether you’re considering this career path, then take a look at our blog ‘Is Becoming an IQA for You?‘ to find out more. In case you have any questions about our Assessor qualifications or IQA qualifications, please give us a call on 01205 805 155 or send us an email to training@brooksandkirk.co.uk.