Provider and Course Approval Application

Provider and Course Approval Application

International Professional Learning Standards Organisation (IPLSO) approves professional learning providers and individual courses worldwide, offering employers, learners, and third-party platforms a clear, trusted signal of quality and standards compliance.

IPLSO does not deliver training and does not operate as a learning provider.
Its role is to evaluate providers and courses against defined international professional learning standards.

This page explains the approval requirements, application pathways, and review process.

1. Before You Apply

Applicants must review and meet IPLSO’s foundation requirements before submitting an application.

Required reading:

  • Provider Approval Requirements
  • Course Approval Criteria
  • Quality and Governance Standards
  • Learning Design and Assessment Standards

Applications that do not meet these baseline requirements will not proceed to review.

2. Application Pathways

IPLSO offers two application pathways depending on organisational readiness.

2.1 Pre-Review Consultation (Optional)

The Pre-Review Consultation is an early, advisory evaluation for providers seeking written guidance before submitting a full approval application.

This consultation may include:

  • Review of course structure and scope
  • Evaluation of learning outcomes and assessment alignment
  • Identification of gaps against IPLSO standards
  • Written recommendations for improvement

If the provider proceeds to full approval and is successful, only the outstanding balance will be payable.

Pre-Review Consultation fees are non-refundable.

2.2 Full Approval Application

Full approval is conducted in two sequential stages.

Stage 1: Provider Approval

The organisation is evaluated to confirm that its:

  • Governance and management structures
  • Policies and procedures
  • Trainer or facilitator qualifications
  • Quality assurance systems

meet IPLSO standards.

Only approved providers may submit courses for approval.

Stage 2: Course Approval (Per Course)

Each course is evaluated individually for:

  • Instructional design and structure
  • Defined learning outcomes
  • Assessment design and evidence of learning
  • Alignment with IPLSO standards

All required documentation must be submitted for each course.

Applications that do not meet the criteria will be returned with written feedback.

Approval fees are non-refundable, as they cover the professional evaluation service.

3. Documentation Requirements

Applicants must submit accurate documentation that reflects actual operational practice.
Templates may be used only if properly adapted.

3.1 Organisational Documentation

  • Legal registration or organisational status
  • Trainer or facilitator qualifications and CVs
  • Governance and management structure

3.2 Required Policies

  • Quality Management Policy
  • Assessment Policy
  • Learner Support Policy
  • Complaints and Appeals Policy
  • Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy
  • Data Protection and Privacy Policy
  • Code of Conduct for Trainers and Assessors
  • Refund Policy
  • General Company Policy

Recommended for larger providers:

  • Disciplinary Policy

3.3 Course Documentation (Per Course)

To ensure a responsible and accurate evaluation of a training programme, IPLSO reviews the actual instructional curriculum and supporting course documentation. Course outlines alone do not always reflect the content, scope, or instructional quality of the material delivered to learners.

  • Full course syllabus or curriculum
  • Defined learning outcomes
  • Instructional hours (excluding assessment)
  • Total learning time (instructional, assessment, applied learning)
  • Assessment plan and sample assessments
  • Evidence of learning activities
  • Certificate template

All submitted materials remain the intellectual property of the provider and are treated as confidential evaluation documents used solely for accreditation review.

4. Review and Decision Process

Step 1: Application Submission

Complete the online application and upload all required documentation.

Step 2: Payment

Submit payment for the selected application pathway.

Step 3: Professional Evaluation

Submissions are reviewed by subject-matter evaluators, supported by specialists in education and learning design.

Step 4: Feedback and Amendments

Where required, applicants receive written feedback and an opportunity to amend and resubmit.

Step 5: Approval Decision

Successful applicants receive:

  • Approved Provider status
  • Approval certificate
  • Listing on the IPLSO public register
  • Authorisation to display IPLSO Provider and Course Approval marks

5. Review Timeframes

Typical processing times:

  • Pre-Review Consultation: 5–7 working days
  • Full Approval Review: 10–15 working days after payment

Timeframes may vary depending on submission completeness.

IPLSO maintains a rigorous, transparent, and efficient review process aligned with international professional learning standards.

6. Fees

All approval fees are published on the Pricing page.

Where a Pre-Review Consultation has been completed and approval is granted, only the outstanding balance toward full approval is payable.

All fees are non-refundable, as they cover the professional evaluation service.

You can begin your application at any time.