Christmas office closure: We’re closing for the Christmas break from 5pm on Monday 23 December 2024 until 8:30am on Thursday 2 January 2025. Learn more.
End-point assessment (EPA)
Starting with the end goal in mind: Apprentice success
As a market-leading end-point assessment organisation (EPAO), we deliver a unique proposition that combines innovation and customer service into each stage of the end-point assessment (EPA) process. We put provider and apprentice success at the heart of what we do to ensure the best possible outcomes and impact, which is why we have been crowned EPAO of the year 2022.
Our flexible EPA solutions come with sector expertise, guidance materials and proactive support to guide you through a seamless EPA journey.
Important announcement for all NCFE and Active IQ EPA customers
Since NCFE acquired Active IQ in December 2022, we’ve been working to combine the strengths of both organisations to offer an improved experience for the benefit of all customers and learners. In recent months, we’ve been reviewing the NCFE and Active IQ end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs), to ensure we can continue to offer the best service to our valued customers.
After careful consideration, we’ve decided to integrate our EPAOs into one single EPAO regulated through NCFE. It’s important to note that we are not proposing any changes within the awarding / qualifications space – we’ll continue to operate as two separate awarding organisations.
Read moreUpgrade to EPAO of the Year
Receive an award-winning EPA service which provides complete EPAs in as little as 4 weeks (for some standards), feedback and results within 5 working days, and a dedicated Relationship Manager to support you at all stages.
Upgrade to NCFE
Winners!
We’ve been awarded the FAB EPA award for best collaboration to deliver EPA Services, in partnership with NHS England.
Our EPA service
As one of the largest end-point assessment organisations (EPAO) in the UK, our unique approach ensures that we have service-level agreements for every stage of the EPA process, giving employers, training providers and apprentices trust, transparency and confidence in the process.
Get in touch
Our EPA standards
We successfully deliver EPA across a range of subject areas, with focus on the sectors where we have deep experience and insight.
Learn more
Our Healthcare EPA standards
Discover our EPA standards in healthcare and how we can support you and your apprentices.
Learn more
Upgrade to NCFE
Upgrade to NCFE for EPA for our award-winning service and proactive support to guide you through a seamless EPA journey.
Learn moreFAQs
What is an apprenticeship standard?
An apprenticeship standard is essentially the job role in which the apprentice will be training for. The knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out within the standard are tailored specifically to ensure the apprentice will succeed within that job role. Find out more about apprenticeship standards by reading our blog.
What does end-point assessment mean?
End-point assessment, commonly referred to as EPA, is the assessment an apprentice undertakes to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to be competent in their role. The method of assessment can vary depending on the apprenticeship standard.
I’m looking for an apprenticeship for myself – how can NCFE help me?
NCFE is an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO), which means we provide an end-point assessment service and support to training providers and employers. If you’re an apprentice and you’re interested in taking your end-point assessment with NCFE, speak to your employer or training provider.
What is ‘Gateway’?
Gateway is the period of time when it is collectively agreed that an apprentice has achieved all the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), that they’ll need in preparation for their end-point assessment (EPA). You can find more information about Gateway by clicking here.
Leading the way from the first days of EPA
Benefit from:
- Guaranteed access to your chosen Gateway progression date where you give eight weeks notice.
- No fees for changing your EPA start date before Gateway and no unexpected fees
- Personalised feedback on your Gateway audit if you're unsuccessful
- Feedback and results on each assessment component within five working days
- Expert guidance from sector specialists
- High quality resources to give your apprentice the best chance of success
- 24/7 access to our online epaPRO platform
- A dedicated Relationship Manager to support you at all stages of EPA