Certificates of completion and accredited qualifications

Two different kinds of document

The UAE National Qualifications Framework, approved by Cabinet Resolution No. (106) of 2024, is the national reference for qualifications in general education, higher education, and technical, vocational and professional education and training. The resolution defines a main qualification as a complete academic or technical or vocational qualification assigned to one of the framework's levels and awarded when the learner achieves the learning outcomes described for that level.^[1]

Dubai's rules for training institutes use a different term. They define a training certificate as a document issued by a training institute certifying that a learner has successfully completed or participated in a training programme. The two definitions describe different things: one is placed on a level and awarded for meeting level outcomes, the other records completion or participation. Nothing in the texts read for this page gives a training certificate a framework level.^[1][2]

The national framework and who runs it

The 2024 framework describes eight levels, its table also includes a Level 0 for early childhood education, and it has three pathways: general education, higher education, and technical and vocational education and training. Higher levels reflect greater complexity of knowledge, skills, values and responsibilities. In its table, a bachelor's degree sits at Level 6, a master's degree at Level 7 and a doctorate at Level 8. The resolution also sets a credit hour at 15 learning hours in theoretical education and 30 in applied education. It replaced Cabinet Resolution No. (22) of 2013 and names the Ministry of Education as responsible for implementation.^[1]

Government portal pages describe the bodies around it. The Commission for Academic Accreditation licenses higher education institutions and accredits their programmes. The National Qualifications Centre, part of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, manages the national qualifications system at all levels. For vocational education, the portal says the centre develops and maintains the national qualifications framework, recognises awarding bodies and endorses national vocational qualifications. Sources assign implementation duties differently, so current responsibilities should be confirmed with the authorities.^[3][4][1]

KHDA and training in Dubai

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority regulates training institutes under Executive Council Resolution No. (50) of 2015 and its 2018 implementing bylaw. A training institute is a private establishment authorised to provide training in the emirate. It needs an Authorisation from KHDA and a commercial Licence from a licensing authority. Each programme must state its objectives, hours, delivery method, evaluation system and completion requirements, and name its accreditor where there is one. Programme names must not suggest sponsorship by officials or government entities that have no real association with it.^[2]

Before an institute hands certificates to learners, it must apply to KHDA for attestation, which the bylaw defines as KHDA's recognition of a training certificate. KHDA's service page sets the fee at AED 70, made up of AED 50 for the application and AED 20 for knowledge and innovation. An older, undated KHDA booklet says its Qualifications and Awards in Dubai unit quality assures non-credit-bearing short courses offered by training centres. It names the National Qualifications Authority, whereas current portal pages name the National Qualifications Centre, so treat it as background only.^[2][5][6]

KHDA's attestation page adds practical detail. It describes the service as one that lets training institutes request attestation of certificates for registered trainees enrolled in KHDA-authorised courses at private training institutes in Dubai. The page lists the channel as the KHDA portal, a completion time of immediate and no required documents. Its terms ask for accurate information on the approved course title and its start and end dates, and say that the course must be authorised and approved by KHDA. The process has two steps: submit a request through the portal and, on payment of the fee, the attested certificate is issued. The page was last updated on 12 August 2026.^[5]

An example from real estate

Dubai Land Department material shows both kinds of document side by side. Its training page says people who attend its courses receive a course of completion certificate, that there is no exam after the training, and that exams are held separately for certain categories such as brokers. A broker card, covered in the guide on broker training, is a separate regulatory document issued through an online system after the relevant requirements are met.^[7][8]

By contrast, a September 2026 Dubai Land Department news item describes a Level 4 Diploma in Real Estate and Property Management, developed with the Higher Colleges of Technology and accredited by the National Qualifications Centre. It is described as 90 hours of study over two academic years with two periods of practical field training, with a first cohort scheduled for autumn 2026. Here a programme is placed at a stated framework level and carries accreditation, which the completion certificate described above does not claim.^[9][7]

Checking a certificate

The route described in official texts for Dubai training certificates is attestation by KHDA. For certificates issued by entities other than training institutes, or by government entities requesting attestation, the bylaw adds that proof of delivery of the programme in the emirate and proof of learner attendance must be provided. The texts read describe the attestation process, but they do not describe a public register where any training certificate can be looked up, so confirming a particular certificate means asking the issuer or KHDA.^[2][5]

From the definitions above, three questions are reasonable when reading a certificate: does it claim a level on the national framework, does it name an awarding body or accreditor, and has it been attested where attestation applies. The texts read do not settle whether training run by a company for its own staff, or delivered online, needs KHDA authorisation. This page is general information, not legal advice, and rules can change.^[1][2]

Questions