How long is VCA valid? Ten years for Basis, VOL and VIL-VCU
A VCA diploma is valid for ten years. That applies to B-VCA, VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU. After that, you have to take the exam again.
You have to keep track yourself of when your diploma expires. You can see until when it is valid in the Centraal Diploma Register (CDR) at cdr.ssvv.nl: search by surname and date of birth, or by diploma number.
This page summarises what SSVV writes on ssvv.nl and the Centraal Diploma Register writes on cdr.ssvv.nl (both in Dutch) about how long VCA diplomas are valid. 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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Validity of VCA Basis, VOL and VIL-VCU
Searching for 'VCA Basis' or 'VCA VOL'? Those are B-VCA (Basisveiligheid VCA, basic safety) and VOL-VCA (Veiligheid voor Operationeel Leidinggevenden VCA, safety for operational supervisors). On the page of each of the three VCA diplomas, SSVV writes the same: the diploma is valid for ten years, and after that you have to take the exam again.
| Diploma | In full (Dutch) | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| B-VCA (VCA Basis) | Basisveiligheid VCA | 10 years |
| VOL-VCA (VCA VOL) | Veiligheid voor Operationeel Leidinggevenden VCA | 10 years |
| VIL-VCU | Veiligheid voor Intercedenten en Leidinggevenden VCU | 10 years |
- SSVV – What VCA is (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – B-VCA: registering the diploma and retaking the exam (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – VOL-VCA: registering the diploma and taking the exam again (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – VIL-VCU: registering the diploma and taking the exam again (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
Is VCA validity changing to 5 years?
SSVV's website says 10 years. SSVV's FAQ says a VCA diploma is valid for 10 years, and the VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU pages, which we read again on 31 October 2026, also say the diploma is valid for ten years.
We found no shorter validity for the diploma, such as 5 years, at SSVV. You can see in the CDR until when your own diploma is valid.
What if your diploma expires?
After ten years, you have to take the exam again, and SSVV writes that you have to keep track of when that is yourself. According to SSVV, you take that new exam at a recognised exam centre to get a new diploma.
You arrange the new exam the same way as the first one: through a training provider, where the exam is usually included, or yourself at an exam centre recognised by SSVV. A training course is not required. There is no separate renewal course or shortened exam in the sources we read: renewing means passing the exam again.
- SSVV – B-VCA: registering the diploma and retaking the exam (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – FAQ: how long a VCA diploma is valid (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – Personal certification (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – B-VCA: training and exam (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
Is my VCA still valid? Check the CDR
When you pass, the exam centre records it in the Centraal Diploma Register (CDR). Employers and clients can see there whether you really have the diploma. You can check there how long your diploma is valid.
The CDR is at cdr.ssvv.nl. You search by surname (without prefixes such as 'van' or 'de') and date of birth, or by diploma number. According to the CDR, diploma holders can check there how long their diploma is valid, so they know when it is time to retake the exam.
Is your diploma invalid or expired? According to SSVV, a diploma can be invalid because it has expired, or because there may be no certainty that the exam result is valid or representative. In that case, contact the exam centre where you took the exam.
- SSVV – B-VCA: registering the diploma and retaking the exam (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – Personal certification (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- Centraal Diploma Register (CDR) – Search form (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- Centraal Diploma Register (CDR) – About the CDR (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- SSVV – Exams FAQ: why is my diploma invalid? (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
A card is not a diploma
Some exam centres also give you a card when you pass. That is not required, and according to SSVV a card does not replace a diploma.
Taking the exam again: the exams have been renewed
The exams have changed. On 1 January 2026, SSVV started the renewed exams in Dutch. For VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU, these have 60 questions in 60 minutes, where the old exam had 70 questions. B-VCA has 40 questions in 60 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to get VCA again after ten years?
Yes. The diploma is valid for ten years; after that you have to take the exam again at a recognised exam centre.
How long is VCA Basis valid?
B-VCA (VCA Basis) is valid for ten years. After that, you have to take the exam again.
How long is VCA VOL valid?
VOL-VCA is also valid for ten years. After that, you have to take the exam again. The same applies to VIL-VCU.
Is VCA validity changing to 5 years?
SSVV's website says 10 years. We found no shorter validity for the diploma, such as 5 years, at SSVV (31 October 2026).
Will I get a reminder when my VCA expires?
SSVV writes that you have to keep track yourself of when you need to take the exam again.
Where can I see until when my VCA is valid?
In the Centraal Diploma Register (CDR) at cdr.ssvv.nl. You search by surname and date of birth, or by diploma number. Employers and clients can also see there whether you have the diploma.
Is my VCA card enough?
No. According to SSVV, a card does not replace a diploma.
This explanation was written by Examenzaal. We checked SSVV's information (in Dutch) on 22 October 2026 and 31 October 2026 and 24 October 2026. Examenzaal is an independent provider of practice material. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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