Application for private candidates in the vocational diploma examination

Private candidates who wish to take the vocational qualification examination must apply directly to the training venues. In the event that there are several examination venues that run homologous courses, the application must be submitted to the venue identified in circular prot. no. 126809 of 11/02/2026, which also defines the general indications and deadlines for submitting the application.

Private candidates must present the training credits and skills acquired in their training pathway; based on these, they must take one or more preliminary and supplementary tests (normally held in the second half of April), formulated by the commission set up at each Professional Training Centre exam venue after examining the curriculum presented by the candidates.

Candidates who intend to participate in the fourth-year diploma examination following the award of the qualification must meet the following requirements

(a) age not less than the minimum age required for the fulfilment of the right to education and training, or have attended 12 years of a course in the education or training system, also in the apprenticeship mode

b) possession of one of the following qualifications

• professional qualification of Vocational Education and Training (IeFP), identified among those which allow access to the specific Technician Diploma, as established by the Resolution of the Provincial Council no. 764 of 30 May 2025 and subsequent amendments and additions
• professional qualification from Vocational Education and Training (IeFP) issued by other Regions, provided that it refers to the same professional figures (cf. State-Regions Agreement of 1 August 2019 (Repertory acts no. 155/CSR), acknowledged by Decree of the Minister of Education in agreement with the Minister of Labour and Social Policies no. 56 of 7 July 2020 (m_pi. AOOGABMI. Register Decrees.R0000056.07-07-2020) identified among those that allow access to the specific Diploma of Technician;
• professional education qualification obtained under the previous regulations as per Presidential Decree no. 87/2010, with reference to the correspondences made by Table 3 "Table of comparison between the three-year professional qualifications as per the 2010 State-Regions Conference Agreement and the three-year qualification diplomas of professional institutes according to the previous regulations", of the "Guidelines" of the State-Regions Agreement of 16 December 2010 (adopted by MIUR decree no. 4 of 18 January 2011) and which are consistent with the professional qualifications for access to the fourth-year pathways

c) a number of hours of apprenticeship or work experience, consistent with the qualification to be achieved, equal to at least that provided for by the provincial timetable relating to the specific study plan

d) possession of the sector patents or licences, if envisaged by the specific fourth-year course

e) they must not be enrolled in another course of the second cycle Education and Training educational system, or have formally withdrawn from any school or training course by 31 March of the training year in which the examination is conducted.

Candidates wishing to take part in the four-year diploma examination without leaving the third year must meet the following requirements

a) age not less than the minimum age required for the fulfilment of the right to education and training, or have attended 12 years of a pathway of the education or training system, also in the apprenticeship mode

b) a final qualification from a secondary school course in the first cycle of education, or a certificate of completion if prior to 2005

c) a number of hours of apprenticeship or work experience, consistent with the qualification intended to be obtained, equal to at least that provided for by the provincial timetable relating to the specific study plan

d) possess the sector licences or patents, if envisaged by the specific four-year course

e) are not enrolled in another course of the second-cycle education and training system, or have formally withdrawn from any school or training course by 31 March of the training year in which the examination is taken.

The application must be made using the appropriate form

• curriculum vitae
• documentation relating to internship or work experience
• any documentation useful for the purposes of the preliminary and supplementary tests
• information notice in accordance with EU Regulation No. 679 of 2016 duly signed for acknowledgement
• receipt of payment of the participation fee
• photocopy of the applicant's identity document (only if the application is signed with a handwritten signature and sent by post or email)