Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation Rules 2026

These Rules are made under section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 by the Board of NZQA and the Minister of Education.

If you prefer, you can download these rules as a PDF:

Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation Rules 2026 [PDF, 525 KB]

1. Title

These are the Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation Rules 2026.

3. Interpretation

In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

accreditation means accreditation to provide an approved micro-credential under section 446A of the Act

Act means the Education and Training Act 2020

approval means approval of the content of a micro-credential under section 445 of the Act

consent and moderation requirements means the standard-setting body requirements listed for standards that relate to the particular skills and knowledge of teachers and assessors, any special resources required for assessing against the standards, learner access to resources, practical experience, and national external moderation

credit recognition and transfer means, in relation to a particular micro-credential, a formal process whereby credit for outcomes already achieved by a student is recognised as credit for comparable outcomes in that particular micro-credential

credit value means the number of credits, with each credit representing 10 notional learning hours

Directory means the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards provided for in section 437 of the Act

institution has the same meaning as in section 10(5) of the Act

ISB means an Industry Skills Board established under section 362 of the Act

level means any of levels 1 to 10 on the NZQCF

level descriptors means the descriptors for each level of the Qualifications and Credentials Framework as set out in the Level Descriptors Table published on NZQA’s website

micro-credential has the same meaning as in section 10(1) of the Act

NZQCF means the Qualifications and Credentials Framework described in section 436 of the Act

qualification means a qualification listed on the NZQCF

recognition of prior learning means a process that involves formal assessment of a student’s relevant and current knowledge and skills (gained through prior learning) to determine achievement of learning outcomes of a micro-credential for the purpose of awarding credit towards that micro-credential; and to avoid doubt it does not include credit recognition and transfer

skill standard has the same meaning as in section 10(1) of the Act

standard-setting body means an approved standard-setting body as described in section 438(1) of the Act

Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance means applying Te Hono o Te Kahurangi whare ako framework and quality assurance tools for micro-credential approval and accreditation, as that framework and those tools are published by NZQA from time to time on its website

Universities New Zealand means the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee continued by section 311 of the Act.

Part 2: Accreditation criteria and applications

6. Criteria for accreditation of institutions to provide approved micro-credentials under section 446A of the Act

1. The following are the criteria for accreditation of institutions to provide approved micro-credentials:

Criterion 1 - Delivery

The delivery approach is adequate and appropriate given the stated learning outcomes for the micro-credential and the needs of intended learners.  Delivery is appropriate for the delivery modes, and for the location or situation of the intended learners.

Criterion 2 - Assessment and moderation

The institution has the capability and capacity to ensure assessment materials and decisions are fair, valid, consistent and appropriate for the level, given the stated learning outcomes.

There is an effective system for moderation of assessment materials and decisions.

Criterion 3 - Resources

The institution has the capability and capacity to deliver the micro-credential, including suitably qualified or experienced staff, facilities, educational and physical resources, and student support services.

Criterion 4 - Review

There must be adequate and effective review of the delivery of the micro-credential (including outcomes for students) and the institution’s capability to provide the micro-credential.

7. Applications for accreditation to provide approved micro-credentials

1. Applications by institutions for accreditation to provide approved micro-credentials must contain information that demonstrates the institution meets the criteria specified in rule 6.1.
2. Where the micro-credential for which accreditation is sought includes assessment of standards listed on the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards, and the applicant is not the holder of a consent to assess against those standards under section 449 of the Act, the applicant must also provide evidence of the applicant’s ability to meet the consent and moderation requirements for those standards.
3. Applications by universities for accreditation to provide an approved micro-credential must be made to Universities New Zealand.

Part 4: Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance

10. Requests for Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance 

1. When applying for micro-credential approval or accreditation, an applicant may request that Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance is used for assessment of the application.
2. An applicant making a request under rule 10.1, in addition to providing the relevant information required under Rules 4 to 7, must provide the information that the Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance framework and tools require.
3. NZQA will evaluate a request made under rule 10.1, together with the information supplied, in accordance with Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance.

Part 6: Changes to approved micro-credentials and accreditation

13. Changes to approved micro-credentials and accreditation

1. NZQA consent is required for changes to the following elements of approved micro-credentials:
   1. title, learning outcomes approved, or standards included under Criterion 1 of rule 4.1:
   2. requirements for admission, length and structure, assessment methods, or completion approved under Criterion 3 of rule 4.1.
2. NZQA consent is required for changes to the following elements of accreditation to provide micro-credentials:
   1. the delivery approach approved under Criterion 1 of rule 6.1:
   2. assessment or moderation under Criterion 2 of rule 6.1.
3. NZQA may require holders of approved micro-credentials or micro-credential accreditation to submit changes to their approval or accreditation to NZQA for consent, where there have been changes of significance to the listing details of the micro-credential.
4. In rules 13.1 – 13.3 the references to NZQA are to be read as references to Universities New Zealand in relation to university micro-credential approvals and accreditations.

Explanatory note

This note is not part of these Rules but is intended to indicate their general effect.

These Rules set out, in relation to micro-credential approval and accreditation, -

1. the processes for making applications:
2. requirements for approval or accreditation to be granted:
3. requirements to maintain approval and accreditation:
4. where NZQA consent is needed for changes:
5. when and how special reviews may occur.

These Rules were re-issued in 2026 to:

1. adjust terminology to reflect amendments made by the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Act 2025 (eg: the change from WDCs to ISBs):
2. removing references to external evaluation and review following its replacement with self-review and monitoring:
3. remove the sub-contracting rule (which is now in the Quality Assurance of Tertiary Education Providers Rules).