IQF Aligns with Ofqual's RQF: Enhancing Global Portability in Strength and Conditioning Certification

One of the key challenges facing the international strength and conditioning (S&C) profession is the lack of standardisation and recognition across borders. While many countries maintain national qualification systems, few frameworks are designed for global portability—particularly within niche or emerging professions such as S&C.

The International Qualification Framework (IQF) was developed to address this need. Importantly, the IQF was built using key structural elements and regulatory principles derived from the Ofqual-regulated Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in the United Kingdom. This integration ensures that the IQF is not only credible and robust, but also highly compatible with existing national frameworks worldwide.

What is Ofqual and the RQF?

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is the official regulatory body for qualifications in England. It maintains oversight of awarding bodies, ensuring that their qualifications meet strict criteria for integrity, comparability, and quality assurance. Central to this system is the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which defines the levels and size of qualifications and sets out the knowledge, skills, and competencies associated with each level.

The RQF ranges from Entry Level to Level 8 and is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), facilitating international comparison. Qualifications regulated by Ofqual, such as those offered by Active IQ or YMCA Awards, are widely recognised within the UK and increasingly respected internationally.

Incorporation into the IQF

During the development of the International Qualification Framework, the structure of the RQF and the regulatory principles applied by Ofqual were used as foundational reference points. This includes:

• Level Descriptors that define the depth and complexity of knowledge and skills at each stage

• Credit-based classification of qualification size (e.g. Awards, Certificates, Diplomas)

• Emphasis on assessment validity, reliability, and standardisation

• Regulatory oversight structures such as internal verification, moderation, and annual audits

By adopting these features, the IQF ensures that its levels are functionally equivalent to those used in the RQF, making it straightforward to map qualifications across systems.

For example:

• An Ofqual-regulated Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing can be mapped directly to IQF Level 2

• An Ofqual Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning is equivalent to IQF Level 4, the standard for independent S&C practice

This equivalency allows qualifications gained under national frameworks such as Ofqual to be formally recognised under the IQF, enabling global portability and alignment with international standards.

Why This Matters

The incorporation of Ofqual's principles into the IQF brings several important advantages:

1. International Recognition: Individuals holding Ofqual-regulated qualifications can be recognised at the equivalent IQF level, supporting work and mobility across borders.

2. Consistency in Standards: The use of RQF-level descriptors ensures that the IQF remains aligned with widely accepted international benchmarks, reducing confusion and promoting clarity.

3. Framework Integration: Educational providers and regulators can more easily align their programmes with the IQF, knowing it mirrors well-established national systems.

4. Cross-Mapping Capability: Individuals holding certifications from multiple awarding bodies—such as Active IQ, IUSCA, or others—can be assessed consistently under a unified structure.

Practical Implications for S&C Professionals

Professionals who have attained certifications through Ofqual-regulated awarding bodies are now eligible to have those qualifications recognised under the IQF.

For instance:

• An individual holding an Active IQ Level 4 Certificate in S&C may be granted IQF Level 4 Certified S&C Practitioner status

• Those with an Ofqual Level 2 Gym or Fitness Instructor qualification may be mapped to IQF Level 2, enabling recognition under IQF-IRC regulated certifications

This opens the door to global practitioner registration, international insurance coverage, and access to further progression routes within the IQF structure—such as Levels 6 and 7 practitioner designations through the IUSCA or other accredited bodies.

Conclusion

By incorporating the structure and regulatory rigour of Ofqual and the RQF, the IQF provides a powerful mechanism for global consistency in S&C certification. It ensures that qualifications issued in one country can be recognised and trusted in another, without compromising on standards or integrity.

For both learners and organisations, this represents a major step forward. The integration of Ofqual principles into the IQF is not only a technical achievement—it is a practical solution to one of the profession’s most pressing challenges: international credibility and comparability.