Booking a VCA exam: through your training provider or at an exam centre
There are two ways to sign up for the VCA exam. If you take a training course, the exam is usually included and your training provider arranges it for you. If you want to book it yourself, you contact an exam centre recognised by SSVV.
According to SSVV, a training course is not required, but it is highly recommended. Want the exam in English? Ask when you book whether the centre offers it.
This page summarises what SSVV writes on ssvv.nl (in Dutch) about signing up for VCA exams. SSVV develops and manages certification schemes for safe and healthy work; VCA is a trademark of SSVV registered in the Benelux. Examenzaal is not a training provider or exam centre and is not part of SSVV; our practice material is not SSVV's. You take your exam at an exam centre recognised by SSVV.
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Through your training provider or yourself
Through a training course: the exam is usually included and your training provider arranges it for you. Any training provider may offer VCA courses, so there is a lot of choice.
Yourself: you can sign up for an exam on your own. Contact an exam centre recognised by SSVV. Exams take place every day, all over the country.
Recognised exam centres
SSVV's VCA exams can only be issued by exam centres recognised by SSVV. An exam centre sells the exams to companies, training providers and individual candidates. It handles the administration, issues your diploma and registers it in the Centraal Diploma Register (CDR).
Below is the list as SSVV publishes it, in the same order. It is not a recommendation from Examenzaal. SSVV gives one list for VCA and SOG-P; ask the centre itself which exams and languages it offers.
| Exam centre |
|---|
| Ascent examengroep |
| CBEX |
| Certiflex |
| EBVN bv |
| Examen Bureau Brabant |
| Examenbureau Rotterdam |
| Het Certificaat |
| I-tem |
| IBEX |
| Koninklijke PBNA bv |
| Nationaal exameninstituut |
| Nikta |
| Pontifex certificatie |
| STE-Examenbureau |
| XY Masterclass |
What does it cost and how long does a course take?
The price differs per exam centre and training centre. SSVV's indicative amounts are on our page about what a VCA exam costs.
How long a course takes is not fixed and differs per training provider. According to SSVV, many courses for VCA-Basis (B-VCA) take 2 days.
After the exam
When you pass, the exam centre records it in the Centraal Diploma Register (CDR). Some exam centres also give you a card; that is not required, and a card does not replace your diploma.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the VCA exam without a course?
Yes. According to SSVV, a training course is not required, but it is highly recommended. You then sign up yourself at an exam centre recognised by SSVV.
Who arranges my exam if I take a course?
Usually your training provider: the exam is usually included in the course.
How soon can I take the exam?
According to SSVV, exams take place every day, all over the country. Ask the exam centre when there is a place.
Can I book the exam in English?
SSVV lists English among the languages of the renewed exams. Ask the exam centre whether it offers your exam in English when you book.
This explanation was written by Examenzaal. We checked SSVV's information (in Dutch) on 22 October 2026. Examenzaal is an independent provider of practice material. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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