About micro-credentials
Micro-credentials are small, stand-alone awards with set learning outcomes. They're part of Aotearoa’s education and training system.
Micro-credentials recognise learners' skills, experience or knowledge, while meeting demand from employers, industry and communities.
Micro-credentials that we've quality assured are:
- listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
- 1 to 40 credits in size
- taught at all levels of the NZQCF
- delivered by accredited education providers
- developed because there's evidence they're needed.
The micro-credential rules
Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022
On this page
Guidelines for micro-credential listing, approval and accreditation
Before you apply, make sure you read the guidelines.
These guidelines tell you what NZQA rules apply, what information you need to provide and how we evaluate your application.
Reviewing micro-credentials
Micro-credentials need to be reviewed regularly for currency, content and delivery.
All micro-credentials approved before 2023 have a 1-year review period. Micro-credentials listed after 2023 can have a 1, 2 or 3-year review period.
Developers review a micro-credential, checking:
- if there's still evidence of need
- if any updates or adjustments are required.
Providers review their delivery of a micro-credential, checking:
- learner outcomes
- their capability to deliver the micro-credential.
The processes for notifying NZQA of a micro-credential review is coming soon.
Use the online form to submit the review report for micro-credentials and former training schemes
Reviews of micro-credentials and former training schemes (approved before 2023 rules changes)
In January 2023, some NZQA rules changed following August 2022 changes to the Education and Training Act.
Micro-credentials and training schemes approved under previous rules must be reviewed so they meet the current rules.
From January 2025, we will review the following types of micro-credentials and former training schemes:
- former training schemes delivered to domestic learners, except those that relate to basic first aid
- former training schemes of less than 12 weeks duration delivered to international learners (people studying or training under student or working visas), except those that relate to English language tuition
- micro-credentials that were not listed under the current rules.
We will request a review of former training schemes that aren’t covered in the initial review at a later date.
More information about the review
If your organisation has NZQA approval for a micro-credential, but you’re not sure if it was listed under the current NZQA rules, please email us:
Reporting achievement
Make sure you let us know when learners complete a micro-credential. We'll list it on their New Zealand Record of Achievement.
Micro-credential equivalency with the NZQCF
You can ask NZQA to assess your micro-credential's equivalency with the NZQCF. After we assess your micro-credential, we provide you with a statement of equivalency.
This statement gives you valuable information you can share with your employees, stakeholders, or customers.
Micro-credential roles and responsibilites
Information about what you're responsible for as a developer, provider or quality assurer of micro-credentials listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.