The current system of qualification validation in the Slovak Republic focuses on acquiring a certificate of qualification – a document which entitles the holder to be issued a trade license in the respective field. The creation of a national validation system that would include all four parts – identification, documentation, evaluation and certification — is underway in the stage of the development of tools and their verification. The only possible way to acquire a certificate of qualification is to take an examination.

Recognition of non-formal education results in Slovakia has a unified form common for both formally acquired education in accredited educational programmes and knowledge and skills acquired in a practical context.

Validation and assessment of professional qualification according to the qualification and assessment standards takes place in the form of an examination in competent educational institutions, which includes:

• schools and higher education institutions;
• professional organisations;
• organisations founded by the ministry to provide or fulfil tasks in lifelong learning.

Competent institutions are for this purpose authorized by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic always in the respective accredited educational programme. Competent institutions, however, cannot make examinations conditional upon previous completion of an accredited educational programme. Applicants can also document the level of their knowledge and skills by demonstrating 5 years of experience in the field.

The examination consists of a theoretical and practical part and it takes place in front of an examination board. Successful completion of the examination leads to a certificate of partial qualification or a certificate of full qualification.

Currently, the list of qualifications, in which it is possible to have one’s professional competence validated, is a part of the Further Education Information System (Informačný systém ďalšieho vzdelávania). 

At the same time, it is necessary to say that verification of professional competence does not require a person to achieve a higher level of education. The obtained certificate of qualification is first of all a document which enables the person to apply for a trade licence in a particular trade.