ExTH

What ExTH does

ExTH (Exameninstelling Toezicht en Handhaving, legal entity Stichting eXplain) is a Dutch non-profit foundation headquartered in Amersfoort that operates as the designated examination institution for Dutch public safety enforcement officers (Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaren, BOAs) and HTV vocational students. Its core function is administering legally-required certification examinations that gate entry to and continuation in the BOA profession, including the Boa Basisbekwaamheid (BOA Basic Competence), the Permanent Education and Training (PHB) cycle of four exams over five years across four enforcement domains (Openbare Ruimte, Milieu, Onderwijs, Openbaar Vervoer), HTV MBO diploma examinations, and Alcoholwet supervisor certification. Certificates issued by ExTH are formally recognized by Justis (Ministry of Justice and Security) as prerequisites for obtaining and renewing the akte van opsporingsbevoegdheid (enforcement credential), making ExTH a quasi-regulatory body with effectively mandatory demand from the entire Dutch BOA workforce.

ExTH's product platform combines a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) theory exam system built on the Questionmark platform (with secure browser, randomized item banks, and immediate provisional results) and a practical examination system using purpose-built exam street environments (examenstraten) staffed with trained actors, structured digital rubrics with weighted scoring criteria, and bodycam evidence for appeals. A new Amersfoort examination center opened in June 2026, supplementing existing Amersfoort facilities and certified external practical exam locations, with Lamark third-party CBT locations used for additional theory exam capacity. The MijnExTH portal enables individual candidate self-registration and iDeal payment, while educational institutions (ROCs) and employers register candidates in groups via invoicing.

Revenue is generated on a pure per-exam transaction basis (pay-as-you-go, no subscription model), with annual tariff schedules published as PDFs. Auxiliary fee streams include duplicate certificate issuance (EUR 27.50), appeal/complaint processing (EUR 48.40), and cancellation/rescheduling fees. The organization serves three primary customer segments: active BOAs across municipal, police, and public transport employers (recurring PHB demand), HTV MBO students pursuing vocational diplomas (one-time diploma demand with a 5-year PHB exemption), and Alcoholwet-designated municipal supervisors. Go-to-market is sales-led but relies almost entirely on its own website (exth.nl), the MijnExTH portal, and direct email communication, with no evidence of paid advertising or social media marketing. ExTH is governed by six examination committees drawing representatives from Nationale Politie, Openbaar Ministerie, municipalities, and public transport operators, reinforcing sector legitimacy. The organization has 25 employees and no disclosed funding, ownership changes, or institutional investors, consistent with its independent foundation status.

Name

ExTH

Legal name

Stichting eXplain

Website

https://exth.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ExTH (Stichting eXplain) is a Dutch non-profit foundation in Amersfoort that administers mandatory certification examinations for the country's BOA enforcement officers and HTV vocational students, with certificates recognized by Justis for credential issuance and renewal across four enforcement domains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Occupational Licensing Examination Authorities (EDADAFAD), Awarding Organizations & Credentialing Bodies (Certificates/Diplomas) (EDADAFAC), Test Administration, Proctoring & Security Authorities (EDADAFAH)

Keywords

• Public safety examinations
• BOA certification
• Computer-based testing
• Vocational diploma assessment
• Enforcement officer certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Amersfoort

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Examination Registration and Administration Fees: ExTH charges examination fees for each exam component taken. Fees are set annually (see 2026 tariff schedule) and cover the cost of exam administration, assessment, and certification. Individual candidates pay directly via iDeal; institutional clients (schools, employers) receive invoices.
2. Duplicate Certificate/Diploma Issuance: Fees charged for issuing replacement certificates, diplomas, or attestations when originals are lost. The duplicate document fee is €27.50 per issuance. These are one-time document replacement charges.
3. Appeal and Complaint Processing Fees: Administrative processing fee charged when a candidate submits an appeal (bezwaarschrift) against an examination result or assessment. Fee is €48.40 (incl. VAT). Refunded if the appeal is upheld in the candidate's favor.
4. Examination Cancellation and Rescheduling Fees: Fees charged when candidates cancel or reschedule examinations within certain timeframes. Cancellation more than 2 weeks before the exam date: full refund minus €27.50 administration fee. Cancellation within 2 weeks: no refund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ExTH operates as the Dutch designated examination body for Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaren (BOAs) and Handhaver Toezicht en Veiligheid (HTV) vocational students, administering legally required certification examinations across four enforcement domains. The organization delivers theory exams via a Computer-Based Testing platform and practical competency assessments in purpose-built exam streets with trained actors, issuing certificates that serve as the formal prerequisite for Justis-issued BOA credentials and HTV MBO diplomas.

Product overview

ExTH operates as an examination institution providing certification exams for public safety professionals in the Netherlands. The core offering consists of BOA Basic Competence certification (Boa Basisbekwaamheid, both regular and OV versions for public transport), HTV vocational education certification (Handhaver Toezicht en Veiligheid), and Permanent Education and Training (PHB) for four enforcement domains: Domein I (Public Space), Domein II (Environment), Domein III (Education/truancy), and Domein IV (Public Transport). Additional specialized exams include Alcoholwet certification. The organization conducts theory exams (computer-based CBT via Questionmark platform) and practical exams using trained actors in simulated environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boa Basisbekwaamheid (BOA Basic Competence) Two-part certification examination for basic competence as a Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaar: a Rechtskennis (Legal Knowledge) theory exam and a Boa Basis Praktijk practical exam. Required before BOAs can apply for their first enforcement credential in any domain.
• Boa Basisbekwaamheid OV Domain-specific BOA Basic Competence certification for public transport, consisting of a Rechtskennis OV theory exam and a Boa Basis Praktijk OV practical exam. Required to obtain a Domain IV certificate from April 2025 onward.
• Handhaver Toezicht en Veiligheid (HTV) MBO-level examination program for Security Supervisor and Enforcement officers, covering two theory exams (WKPV I and WKPV II), two practical exams (Sanctionerend Optreden and Dienstverlening en Calamiteiten), and exam components for Boa Basisbekwaamheid and domain-specific modules. The HTV diploma grants a 5-year PHB exemption.
• PHB Domein I - Openbare Ruimte Permanent Education and Training cycle for Domain I (Public Space) BOAs, consisting of four modules: a Wet- en regelgeving theory exam, a Bejegening practical exam, a Waarneming en Verslaglegging open-work exam, and a Functiegerichte training module. Required every five years for credential renewal.
• PHB Domein II - Milieu Permanent Education and Training cycle for Domain II (Environment) BOAs, consisting of four modules: Wet- en regelgeving, Bejegening, Waarneming en Verslaglegging, and Functiegerichte training. Required every five years for credential renewal.
• PHB Domein III - Onderwijs Permanent Education and Training cycle for Domain III (Education/truancy enforcement) BOAs, consisting of four modules: Wet- en regelgeving, Bejegening, Waarneming en Verslaglegging, and Functiegerichte training. Required every five years for credential renewal.
• PHB Domein IV - Openbaar Vervoer Permanent Education and Training cycle for Domain IV (Public Transport) BOAs, consisting of four modules: Wet- en regelgeving, Bejegening, Waarneming en Verslaglegging, and Functiegerichte training. Required every five years for credential renewal.
• Alcoholwet Alcohol Law certification exam consisting of a theory exam (Wettelijke Kaders Alcoholwet) and a practical exam (Boeterapport, penalty report writing). Required for municipal supervisors designated as BOA in Domain I or II to enforce alcohol sales and distribution regulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of candidates rate the new exam center experience with 4+ stars; 92% rate the waiting area comfort/safety/atmosphere with 4-5 stars; 97% rate staff friendliness and helpfulness with 4+ stars; 98% feel safe in the exam center

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Questionmark: Provider of the CBT platform (ondemand.questionmark.eu) that ExTH uses to deliver secure theory exams. Questionmark is comparable as the technology supplier enabling ExTH's computer-based assessment infrastructure rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• NCOI: Large Dutch vocational and higher-education provider serving working professionals. NCOI is comparable as a Dutch institution preparing students in regulated professions, though it operates as a training provider rather than examination body.
• ANVS (Autoriteit Nucleaire Veiligheid en Stralingsbescherming): Dutch regulatory authority that administers specialized credentialing for radiation and nuclear safety professionals. ANVS is comparable to ExTH as a Dutch quasi-governmental body that delivers sector-specific professional examinations tied to statutory authority.

Broad incumbents

• DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs): Dutch government agency administering education-related registrations, funding, and credentialing. DUO is a broader incumbent in the Dutch education administration space with overlapping roles in credential verification and exam registration infrastructure.
• Pearson VUE: World's largest computer-based testing network, operating secure exam centers globally. Pearson VUE is comparable to ExTH's combination of Questionmark CBT delivery and the Lamark/external-location network that extends reach beyond a single owned facility.
• SBB (Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven): Dutch organization governing vocational education (MBO), recognized by the Ministry of Education. SBB is directly comparable as the body that accredits ExTH's HTV programs and oversees the qualification framework within which ExTH operates.
• ETS (Educational Testing Service): Non-profit educational measurement organization administering high-stakes standardized tests (TOEFL, GRE, Praxis). ETS mirrors ExTH's model of developing, validating, and delivering standardized assessments whose results carry significant real-world consequences for test-takers.
• Prometric: Global computer-based testing and assessment delivery provider. Prometric is comparable as the infrastructure layer ExTH relies on (CBT delivery, multi-location exam administration), though at vastly larger scale and across many verticals.

Direct peers

• Cito: Dutch educational testing and assessment organization that develops and administers standardized tests for the Dutch education system. Cito is the closest analog as a Netherlands-based examination body operating with quasi-regulatory authority over credentialing outcomes.
• Bureau Wbtv: Dutch regulator administering credentialing and examinations for private security organizations under the Wbtv framework. Bureau Wbtv is structurally analogous to ExTH as a designated examination/registration body for a regulated Dutch public-safety-adjacent profession.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ExTH