How long is a VCA diploma valid?

Ten years from the exam date. This applies to B-VCA, VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU (SSVV; VCA checklist 2026/6.1, questions 3.2 and 3.3).

Is VCA required by Dutch law?

No. VCA is a certification scheme of SSVV; the client decides whether VCA certification is required (VCA 2026/6.1, chapter 3). If you work for a VCA-certified company, however, the scheme requires a valid diploma for operational workers and supervisors who work there for more than three months.

Where can I check whether a diploma is still valid?

In SSVV's Central Diploma Register (CDR), using surname and date of birth. The exam centre records the diploma there after a passed exam.

NL · Expiry & renewal tracking

Track Dutch VCA diploma expiry dates on time

A Dutch VCA diploma (B-VCA, VOL-VCA or VIL-VCU) is valid for ten years from the exam date, after which a new exam at an SSVV-recognised centre is required (VCA 2026/6.1, questions 3.2 and 3.3). VCA is a private scheme, not a legal duty, but a VCA-certified company must show its staff hold a valid diploma.

VCA (Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu Checklist Aannemers, the safety, health and environment checklist for contractors) is a certification scheme of the Dutch foundation Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid (SSVV). SSVV owns VCA, and its Central Board of Experts manages the scheme for the Netherlands (VCA 2026/6.1, chapter 2). VCA is not a legal requirement: the client decides whether VCA certification is required and at what level (VCA 2026/6.1, chapter 3). The Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) does not mention VCA, although it does require employers to inform workers effectively and give them instruction suited to their tasks (Article 8 Arbowet).

Company certification carries a requirement for staff: operational workers who work for a VCA-certified organisation for more than three months must hold a valid Basic Safety VCA diploma (B-VCA), and operational supervisors a valid Safety for Operational Supervisors VCA diploma (VOL-VCA) (questions 3.2 and 3.3 of the VCA checklist 2026/6.1). Recruiters and supervisors at temporary employment agencies take the VIL-VCU diploma.

A VCA diploma is valid for ten years from the exam date (footnotes to questions 3.2 and 3.3). After that, the holder must pass a new exam at an SSVV-recognised exam centre to obtain a new diploma. According to SSVV, holders must keep track of the expiry date themselves; validity can be checked in the Central Diploma Register (Centraal Diploma Register, CDR).

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At a glance

Validity	10 years from the exam date (VCA 2026/6.1, questions 3.2 and 3.3)
After 10 years	New exam at an SSVV-recognised exam centre
B-VCA	Operational workers at a VCA-certified company for more than 3 months (question 3.2)
VOL-VCA	Operational supervisors (question 3.3) and self-employed subcontractors without staff (Annex B)
VIL-VCU	Recruiters and supervisors at temporary employment agencies
Proof	Diploma or entry in the Central Diploma Register (CDR)
Legal basis	None: VCA is a private scheme; the client decides whether it is required

The B-VCA exam takes 60 minutes with 40 multiple-choice questions; VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU take 60 minutes with 60 questions. Taking a course is not compulsory. Holders of a Middelbare Veiligheidskunde, Hogere Veiligheidskunde or MoSHE diploma are exempt from B-VCA and VOL-VCA (SSVV).

Who is responsible?

The VCA-certified company must be able to show that its operational workers and supervisors hold a valid diploma; the checklist asks for the diploma or the CDR entry as evidence (questions 3.2 and 3.3). After a passed exam, the exam centre records the diploma in the CDR, where employers and clients can check it. According to SSVV, holders must keep track of their own diploma's expiry.

If the deadline passes

There is no legal penalty for an expired VCA diploma, because VCA is not a legal requirement. Within the scheme, if the auditor finds that VCA requirements are not met, this is a nonconformity that must be corrected within at most three months; otherwise the company certificate is suspended (VCA 2026/6.1, section 7.6 and chapter 9). A client that requires VCA can refuse access to workers without a valid diploma.

The new VCA version does not affect diplomas

VCA 2026/6.1 has applied to all new and ongoing company certifications since 1 July 2026. According to SSVV, the new version only concerns company certification and has no consequences for people holding a VCA personal diploma. The company certificate itself is valid for three years, with at least one surveillance audit per calendar year (sections 8.1 and 8.2).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each worker and enter the day the diploma turns ten years old, counted from the exam date, as the expiry date. Check the date in the Central Diploma Register.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself, leaving time to book a new exam at a recognised exam centre.
Assign a responsible person, such as the SHE officer or the supervisor; emails arrive in each recipient's language.
The worker can upload the new diploma through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account. If the date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a VCA diploma valid?: Ten years from the exam date. This applies to B-VCA, VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU (SSVV; VCA checklist 2026/6.1, questions 3.2 and 3.3).
Can a VCA diploma be renewed with a refresher course?: No. After ten years the holder must pass a new exam at an SSVV-recognised exam centre to obtain a new diploma. Taking a course is not compulsory.
Is VCA required by Dutch law?: No. VCA is a certification scheme of SSVV; the client decides whether VCA certification is required (VCA 2026/6.1, chapter 3). If you work for a VCA-certified company, however, the scheme requires a valid diploma for operational workers and supervisors who work there for more than three months.
Where can I check whether a diploma is still valid?: In SSVV's Central Diploma Register (CDR), using surname and date of birth. The exam centre records the diploma there after a passed exam.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for VCA safety certificate

A ready template for VCA safety certificate with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each VCA safety certificate expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each VCA safety certificate an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.