In the case of formal qualifications (i.e. qualifications that are regulated by law or regulation), the responsible ministry or the responsible office of the state government submits the request for the mapping directly to the OeAD | NQF Coordination Office. In the case of non-formal qualifications (qualifications not regulated by law or regulation), an NQF service point together with the qualification provider submit the request for the mapping to the OeAD | NQF Coordination Office. The template for a request for the mapping of a qualification can be found at Downloads.

Within the request the applied level in reference to the respective descriptors must be explained as transparently as possible. The qualification has to be described in learning outcomes. Basic principles for the mapping, formal requirements for organisations requesting the mapping of a qualification and further information can be found in the NQF-Manual.

Once the request for the mapping of a qualification is submitted the NCP performs a formal and content-related verification. Within the verification the NCP can obtains expertise from external experts. In the next step the NCP collects a statement from the NQF-Advisory Board. Finally all relevant documents are sent to the NQF-Steering Group. The NQF-Steering Group can object to a mapping with a two-thirds majority. If not, the qualification is published in the NQF-Register and is officially applicable.

Enclosed you find a graphic representation of the NQF-mapping process: