What NCP NLQF does

NCP NLQF (Nationaal Coördinatiepunt NLQF) is the Dutch National Coordination Point for the Netherlands Qualifications Framework, operating as a Zelfstandig Bestuursorgaan (ZBO), an independent administrative body, established under the Wet NLQF effective January 1, 2025, and executed by CINOP on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). The organization's core function is to classify non-formal qualifications into one of eight NLQF levels, which directly correspond to the levels of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), enabling national and international comparability of Dutch qualifications. Its core products are the NLQF Classification Service (delivered through the Mijn NLQF online application portal), the public NLQF Register of classified qualifications, the NLQF Knowledge Bank, and a suite of educational workshops and information sessions. The underlying technology is a descriptor-based classification system using eight dimensions (context, knowledge, applying knowledge, problem-solving skills, learning skills, information skills, communication skills, and responsibility/independence), evaluated by independent experts, committees, and auditors across five annual assessment cycles.

The business model is built on two revenue streams: baseline government funding from the Ministry of OCW supplemented by European Commission co-funding, and unit-priced application fees ranging from €1,000 to €2,400 per classification or validity assessment, plus €1,000 reassessment fees every six years. Customers include non-formal training providers (primary), employers, learners, and branch organizations, with the segmentation being horizontal across the Dutch private education landscape. The organization maintains a 26-person staff headquartered in 's-Hertogenbosch. Notable customer activity in the June 2026 cycle includes classifications awarded to providers such as Amsterdam Data Academy, ROVC, College Zorgopleidingen, and SVGO across sectors including healthcare, construction, and AI/data education. Recent strategic activity includes the April 2026 leadership transition from Tijs Pijls to Frederike Jansen and the development of a sector-engagement webinar series targeting branches and lifelong development.

Name

NCP NLQF

Legal name

Nationaal coördinatiepunt NLQF

Website

https://nlqf.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCP NLQF is a Dutch independent administrative body (ZBO) that classifies non-formal qualifications into eight levels aligned with the European Qualifications Framework, serving training providers, employers, and learners on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Qualifications Framework Services

NAICS

Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Qualifications Framework Authorities (NQF/Skills Framework) (EDADAFAB)

Keywords

• Qualification framework classification
• Non-formal education assessment
• Dutch qualifications framework
• Credential level verification
• Education quality labelling

Headquarters

HQ city

's-Hertogenbosch

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government funding: Core operations funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). Additional co-funding from the European Commission for certain activities.
2. Application fees (leges): Fees charged for classification applications, validity assessments, and reassessments. Fees vary by type of assessment and range from €1,000 to €2,400 per application.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NCP NLQF classifies non-formal qualifications (private training, courses, certifications, diplomas) into one of eight NLQF levels aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). It provides a public NLQF Register of classified qualifications, an online application portal ("Mijn NLQF"), the NLQF Kennisbank knowledge platform, a Toolbox for providers, and educational workshops and information sessions. The classification process is executed by independent experts, the Inschalingscommissie, assessors and auditors, with classifications valid for six years before reassessment is required.

Product overview

NCP NLQF provides a national qualifications framework service for classifying non-formal qualifications in the Netherlands. The core offering consists of the NLQF Classification Service (Inschaling), which classifies qualifications into eight levels, accessible through the Mijn NLQF online portal. Supporting services include the public NLQF Register for transparency, a Knowledge Bank with resources organized by topic, educational workshops on formulating learning outcomes, information sessions for applicants, and a comprehensive toolbox with level descriptors. The organization functions as an independent administrative body, not a traditional software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NLQF Classification Service (Inschaling) Formal assessment and classification of a non-formal qualification (private training, course, certification or diploma) into one of eight NLQF levels aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Delivered through five annual assessment cycles via independent expert panels, the Inschalingscommissie, assessors and auditors. Classifications are valid for six years before reassessment is required. Customers are training providers, branch and sector organisations seeking an officially recognised quality label.
• Public NLQF Register Public, searchable register listing all qualifications classified at each NLQF level, available to employers, learners and the general public to look up and verify the level of non-formal qualifications.
• Mijn NLQF Online Application Portal Online portal where training providers and applicants submit classification applications, upload required documentation and follow the status of their application through the five annual assessment cycles.
• NLQF Kennisbank (Knowledge Bank) Online knowledge bank providing background information, framework documentation, level descriptors and reference material about the NLQF and the classification process for providers, employers, learners and branches.
• NLQF Toolbox Practical Toolbox resources for training providers preparing an NLQF classification application, including step-by-step guidance, templates and self-check materials.
• Educational Workshops (Werksessies) Interactive workshops offered by NCP NLQF to train and inform training providers, branches and stakeholders on the NLQF framework, level descriptors and the classification application process.
• NLQF Information Sessions Information sessions delivered by NCP NLQF for prospective applicants, employers, learners and branch organisations to explain the framework, classification outcomes and use of the NLQF Register.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nederlandse diploma's zijn ook in het buitenland beter te vergelijken door de koppeling met EQF
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap (Ministry of OCW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) mandates NCP NLQF as a Zelfstandig Bestuursorgaan (ZBO) to implement and manage the NLQF. This is the primary governing relationship that establishes NCP NLQF's authority and funding.
• CINOPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCINOP executes the NCP NLQF on behalf of the Ministry of OCW. CINOP provides the operational infrastructure and staff to carry out the day-to-day activities of the National Coordination Point.
• Inspectie van het Onderwijs (Education Inspectorate)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Inspectorate of Education oversees compliance with NLQF regulations and can sanction improper use of the NLQF according to the policy rules. They handle reports of misuse and ensure protection against misleading claims.
• NufficminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNCP NLQF refers individuals with diploma recognition questions to Nuffic, the Dutch organization for internationalization in education. This addresses questions about foreign diploma evaluation.
• S-BBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorS-BB (Stichting Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven) handles diploma recognition for vocational education questions. NCP NLQF refers relevant queries to S-BB.
• EQF Advisory Group / European Qualifications FrameworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCP NLQF coordinates with the European Qualifications Framework, ensuring NLQF levels directly correspond to EQF levels 1-8. This enables international recognition of Dutch qualifications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Nuffic: Dutch organization for internationalization in education and the national referral partner for foreign diploma evaluation. It operates alongside NCP NLQF as a channel partner for cross-border credential recognition.
• CINOP: The Dutch education and labor-market consultancy that executes NCP NLQF on behalf of the Ministry of OCW. It is the operational implementation partner and is functionally adjacent as a broader education-services operator.
• EQAVET (European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training): EU-level quality assurance framework for vocational education and training. It is thematically and operationally adjacent to NLQF, as both support quality assurance and comparability of vocational qualifications across Europe.

Direct peers

• France Compétences: France's national qualifications authority responsible for the Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles (RNCP), classifying professional qualifications into EQF levels. It is a direct counterpart to NCP NLQF within the EU's coordinated EQF system.
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI): Ireland's National Coordination Point for the EQF and the national qualifications framework authority for non-formal and formal qualifications. It is the most direct functional peer to NCP NLQF, operating the same EQF-aligned classification mandate in another EU member state.
• NVAO (Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie): The Dutch-Flemish accreditation organization that accredits higher-education programs and institutions. Although it focuses on formal education accreditation rather than non-formal classification, it operates alongside NCP NLQF within the same Dutch quality-assurance ecosystem and shares the EQF-alignment mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Inspectie van het Onderwijs: The Dutch Inspectorate of Education, which oversees compliance with NLQF regulations and can sanction improper use of the NLQF. It is a strategic partner and adjacent regulatory authority within the same Dutch education governance structure.
• Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training): EU agency coordinating the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework across member states. It sets the technical reference framework against which NCP NLQF and other national coordination points operate.
• Ofqual: The UK's qualifications and examinations regulator, which oversees qualifications standards and the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). While broader in scope than NCP NLQF, it plays a comparable regulatory role in qualifications classification within a national framework.

Regional players

• BIBB (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung): Germany's federal institute for vocational education and training, which coordinates Germany's national qualifications framework (DQR) and serves as the German national coordination point for the EQF. It is a regional peer operating the equivalent mandate in a different EU member state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ncpnlqf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NCP NLQF