NaCCA Introduces New Certification Framework for Assessment Service Providers in Pre-Tertiary Schools
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has announced the implementation of the National Assessment Service Provider Certification and Quality Assurance Framework to regulate assessment services in Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
In a notice dated August 17, 2026, and signed by Director-General, Prof. Samuel Ofori Bekoe, NaCCA said the Framework was developed pursuant to its mandate under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
The Framework establishes a national regulatory and quality-assurance system for the certification of Assessment Service Providers and for the separate vetting and approval of assessment instruments intended for use in pre-tertiary schools.
According to NaCCA, the notice applies to assessment consortiums, educational assessment companies, publishers, professional associations, consultants, individuals developing assessments commercially, and other entities supplying common assessments, mock examinations, standardised assessments or related materials.
Key Requirements
All affected and prospective Assessment Service Providers are required to review the Framework and its Annexes, assess their readiness for compliance, complete the NaCCA Certified Assessment Provider, NaCASP, Application Form, provide supporting documentation, and submit completed applications within the communicated period.
Applicants must demonstrate legal and governance arrangements, technical competence, assessment-development capacity, quality assurance, assessment security, data protection, professional integrity and operational capacity as prescribed by the Framework.
Certification and Approval Process
NaCCA explained that the Framework establishes two distinct regulatory requirements. NaCASP Certification confirms that a provider satisfies institutional, technical and operational requirements, while Assessment Approval confirms that a specific assessment instrument meets NaCCA’s pre-tertiary assessment standards.
The regulatory principle, NaCCA stated, is: CERTIFY THE PROVIDER → APPROVE THE ASSESSMENT → VERIFY BEFORE ADMINISTRATION.
NaCASP certification does not constitute approval of individual assessment instruments.
Therefore, providers must submit all assessment tasks and items intended for use as question banks to NaCCA for review and approval. Copies of examination papers and their marking schemes must also be submitted not later than a week after the conduct of any assessment in pre-tertiary schools.
Transitional Arrangements
Existing Assessment Service Providers have been directed to register, undergo technical assessment, obtain NaCASP Certification, and submit assessment instruments for vetting within the transitional period to be communicated by NaCCA.
Upon expiry of the transitional period, no provider subject to the Framework shall operate without valid NaCASP Certification, and no assessment instrument within its scope shall be administered without valid NaCCA approval.
NaCCA said applications will undergo administrative screening, due diligence, technical capacity assessment and verification, including physical or virtual verification where required. Submission of an application does not confer certification or approval.
The Council noted that the Framework, application forms and related guidance will be made available through its official channels at http://www.nacca.gov.gh. For further enquiries, stakeholders may contact Dr. Eric Amoah, Deputy Director-General, Technical Services, on +233 24 623 6379.
NaCCA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the quality, reliability and validity of assessment in Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
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