What if your experience was worth much more than just a line on your CV? We often talk about diploma recognition, but have you heard of the VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience)? It’s an opportunity to turn your years of practice into an actual diploma!

Whether your skills come from your job, volunteer work, or personal experiences, the VAE proves that your on-the-ground experience has as much value as a traditional academic path.

What is the VAE?

It is a personal process that allows you to obtain a certification validating your acquired knowledge and experience. The VAE enables you to obtain an official diploma, ranging from CAP to Master’s degree.

You can apply without prior experience, but it is recommended to have at least six months of experience in your field.

The VAE is intended for:

On your CV, it is not mandatory to mention that you obtained your diploma through VAE.

Steps to start a VAE

Consult the ROME sheets, which describe the professions and the certification accessible via: MétierScope – All information on all professions | France Travail

Check if the diploma is registered in the RNCP via: Results search – France compétences

Verify that your acquired skills match the diploma requirements; each certification of a profession registered in the RNCP is linked to a REAC. This competency framework describes work situations and activities related to the diploma. This will allow you to support your acquired professional qualities.

Check if the diploma level is appropriate according to the European classification, which ranks diplomas by knowledge and skills. To have an overview of the frameworks and competencies and to check your diploma level, you must consult this link: Results search – France compétences

Verify if the targeted diploma is coherent with your project or objectives, for example professional recognition, job search, career development, resuming studies, salary negotiation, etc.

If you want career advancement, check that the targeted diploma is recognized in the collective agreement.

Verify that the targeted diploma corresponds to labor market expectations. This step is crucial because there are several certifications for practicing a profession!

Do not hesitate to consult this dedicated page: France VAE | How to choose your diploma well?

What procedures should be followed?

2 admissibility accesses:

Before presenting yourself to the jury, you must prepare a VAE validation file, in order to identify the knowledge and skills you have acquired in connection with those required by the diploma’s framework.

Key points to correctly prepare your file:

A file aligned with the diploma framework

This framework describes the exact professional skills that the candidate must master to obtain the diploma. It details the theoretical knowledge and practical know-how necessary to practice the targeted profession. The jury uses this framework as the main support for evaluating the acquired skills.

Understand the structure of competency blocks

In the “competency blocks” section of the certification sheet, each block corresponds to a key area that will be examined by the jury.

The writing method: from experience to analysis

To convince the jury, each activity presented must follow a rigorous structure:

  • Context: position held, environment, team
  • Technical description: explain the action steps, tools used
  • Justify your methods
  • Provide concrete evidence in the form of detailed examples of your activity

Write a clear and structured file

  • Use “I” to describe your activities
  • Favor the present tense
  • Use precise action verbs and short sentences
  • Employ explicit technical vocabulary

Draw inspiration from the standard structure and example validation files according to your diploma.

Each diploma has a validation file template.

Organization and support

To prepare your file, you can do it alone or be accompanied by a VAE advisor, who will provide you with a method and critical advice. Advisor support is paid, but it can be covered by your CPF. You can also request an AIF (individual training aid) from France Travail, whose average amount granted is around €640.