Decoding France Compétences: Understanding RNCP and RS Certifications

Posted by Natalie Berkman

France Compétences plays a pivotal role in the French education and training system, particularly when it comes to professional certifications. For institutions offering vocational or professional training programs, obtaining certification from France Compétences is essential for aligning with national standards and ensuring student employability. But what exactly is the difference between RNCP and RS certifications, and what does the application process entail?

In my positions at SAE Institute and now at Quest Education Group, I’ve been able to work on such certifications. Specifically, at SAE Institute, I was responsible for compliance for our RNCP certification, Technicien(ne) son (sound engineering). I also spearheaded the renewal of this certification in the winter of 2021-2022 and we got the good news that it was indeed renewed in September 2022, just before I left the company! At Quest, I am also responsible for compliance and for our overall group strategy for certifications and have been thinking about this topic a lot in recent months. I should also add that I completed my own RS certification back in 2021, with Lafayette Associés. It was a 3-day training program to help me learn to certify programs, so quite the mise-en-abyme!

In this blog post, I’ll break down the distinctions between RNCP and RS certifications, the application process, and why employability is at the heart of these qualifications.

RNCP vs. RS Certifications: What’s the Difference?

France Compétences offers two main types of certifications: RNCP (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles) and RS (Répertoire Spécifique). While both are highly valuable, they serve distinct purposes.

1. RNCP: Professional Certifications

  • Purpose: RNCP certifications qualify learners for specific professions or career paths.
  • Focus: These certifications are tied to métiers (careers) and detail the exact skills and knowledge required to enter and succeed in a given profession.
  • Examples: Titles like “Architecte Internet des Objets” or “Technicien Supérieur en Maintenance Industrielle.”
  • Outcome: Graduates earn a professional certification that is often equivalent to a vocational degree. They are also awarded ECTS credits, ensuring recognition across the European Higher Education Area.

2. RS: Complementary Skills

  • Purpose: RS certifications focus on compétences complémentaires à un métier (skills that complement a profession).
  • Focus: These certifications aim to deepen or broaden a professional’s skill set, rather than qualifying them for a specific career.
  • Examples: Certifications for “Advanced Project Management” or “Digital Marketing Tools.”
  • Outcome: RS certifications add value to existing professional qualifications, enhancing a graduate’s employability within their field.

The Application Process: Three Core Components

Securing RNCP or RS certification involves a rigorous application process that demonstrates not only the quality of the program but also its impact on student employability. The three main documents required are the note d’opportunité, référentiel, and note qualité. Here’s what each entails:

1. Note d’Opportunité

This document establishes the demand for the certification by analyzing the labor market and the specific needs of the profession or skillset.
Content:
• Data on industry growth and demand for specific skills.
• Testimonies or support letters from employers.
• Analysis of how the certification addresses skill gaps.
Goal: To justify the relevance and necessity of the certification in today’s job market.

2. Référentiel

The référentiel is the core of the application, focusing not on pedagogy but on identifying and assessing the skills required in the industry. It outlines:
• Activités: The key activities associated with the profession or skillset.
• Compétences: The specific skills and knowledge required to perform these activities effectively.
• Modalités d’Évaluation: The methods used to assess these skills, such as practical exercises, role plays, or case studies.
• Critères d’Évaluation: The benchmarks that determine whether a learner has successfully demonstrated the required competencies.

Goal: The référentiel is less about how the skills are taught and more about whether the institution can define, measure, and evaluate them in alignment with industry needs. This focus ensures that the certification reflects the realities of the job market and prepares graduates for immediate employment.

3. Note Qualité

The note qualité demonstrates the institution’s ability to deliver and sustain the program.
Content:
• Resources available (faculty, facilities, digital tools).
• Processes for tracking and improving program quality.
• Employment outcomes for past graduates.
Goal: To showcase the institution’s capacity to maintain high standards and deliver measurable employability outcomes.

Employability as the Primary Outcome

One of the key criteria for obtaining and maintaining RNCP or RS certification is employability. France Compétences evaluates how well a program prepares students for the job market and measures success based on employment rates. Here’s how this focus plays out:

  • Initial Certification: Institutions must provide robust evidence that graduates secure relevant jobs within six months to a year of completing the program.
  • Renewal of Certification: Certifications typically last 2–5 years, and renewal depends on maintaining strong employment rates. Institutions must continuously monitor outcomes, adapt programs to labor market changes, and provide updated data.
  • Challenge: Institutions must strike a balance between meeting immediate job market demands and equipping graduates with transferable skills for long-term success.

RNCP certifications are often considered the Ministry of Labor equivalent to traditional university degrees. While they do not confer ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits (only universities can do this), they are recognized in France as the equivalent of a university degree of the same level.

Conclusion: Navigating the France Compétences Process

The France Compétences certification process is both rigorous and rewarding. By obtaining RNCP or RS certification, institutions validate their programs while ensuring graduates are equipped with industry-aligned skills. The focus on employability—through labor market analysis, skill assessment, and outcomes monitoring—makes these certifications vital for vocational training in France.

Whether you’re applying for certification or refining an existing program, understanding the distinctions between RNCP and RS certifications and the critical role of employability is key. With the right approach, these certifications can open doors for both institutions and learners, bridging the gap between education and the workforce.

Have you worked on an RNCP or RS certification application? What challenges have you faced in aligning with France Compétences’ requirements? Share your experiences in the comments below!