Behaviour Certification Maintenance and Recertification
Behaviour recertification allows you to renew your professional credential, provided that you meet the applicable requirements. Find out about deadlines, annual maintenance credits and the steps required to complete the process.
Certification Validity and Behaviour Recertification Deadlines
Validity depends on the credential and certification level awarded. Two validity arrangements apply under the relevant schemes.
Associate, Auditor, Implementer and Lead
Valid for three years. This includes Associate Auditor and Associate Implementer, even though professional experience is not required. Behaviour recertification must be completed before the expiry date stated on the diploma.
Employee Readiness, Essentials, Foundation and Transition
Validity is linked to the edition of the applicable standard: until 12 months after publication of the next edition. The transition to the new edition must be completed within that period, in accordance with the pathway defined by Behaviour Certification Services (BCS).
If you already hold a diploma with an explicitly stated expiry date, that date and the conditions communicated to you remain applicable unless the new rules expressly provide otherwise.
Annual Maintenance Credits for Behaviour Recertification
For levels with a three-year validity period, the applicable minimum requirements must be met in each year of the certification cycle, rather than by calendar year.
| Certification Levels | Professional work / year | Training and professional development / year |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Auditor / Associate Implementer | Not required | 10 CPD |
| Auditor / Implementer | 10 CPD | 10 CPD |
| Lead Auditor / Lead Implementer | 15 CPD | 15 CPD |
1 CPD = 1 hour of relevant activity. Professional work and training credits are recorded separately; shortfalls cannot automatically be offset between different years.
How should maintenance credits be recorded and evidenced?
- Use the document provided by Behaviour, “Certification Maintenance Record“, maintaining one file per credential and per three-year certification cycle.
- Record your activities and supporting evidence as they occur and review your record at least once a year. This does not, in itself, create an automatic obligation to submit the record to Behaviour Certification Services (BCS) every year.
- Only hours actually completed and relevant to the credential domains are counted, without double-counting the same activity as both professional work and training.
- Mentoring/coaching is subject to confirmation by Behaviour Certification Services (BCS) and is limited to two CPD credits per year. Publications and other relevant activities are subject to approval by Behaviour Certification Services (BCS).
- The record and supporting evidence are subject to validation by Behaviour Certification Services (BCS). CPD credits do not replace the professional experience requirements of the certification level awarded.
These figures relate to the ISO 27001 certification scheme. For other Behaviour certifications, please refer to the relevant scheme.
How do I apply for Behaviour recertification?
The Behaviour recertification process is subject to the applicable recertification fee. This fee is separate from the annual maintenance credit requirements.
1. Start well in advance
Apply for recertification at least six months before the expiry date.
2. Request initiation of the process
Contact certification@behaviour-group.com or use the online form.
3. Formalise your application
Following a preliminary assessment and invoicing, Behaviour Certification Services (BCS) will send you the instructions and required documents after payment.
4. Complete the process before expiry
Recertification is subject to a favourable assessment by Behaviour Certification Services (BCS). Initiating the request does not extend the validity of the diploma.
Behaviour sends email reminders between six and four months before expiry. Credential holders remain responsible for meeting the applicable deadlines.
What is assessed during professional recertification?
The required documentation depends on the applicable certification level and scheme.
Behaviour Recertification Requirements
- Recertification application form and supporting documents.
- Certification maintenance record and supporting evidence.
- Verifiable professional experience, where required.
- Payment of the applicable fee and renewed signature of the Behaviour Code.
For Associate levels, neither professional experience nor verification by a referee is required. The annual requirement of 10 CPD credits for training and professional development continues to apply.
Behaviour Recertification or Transition to a New Edition?
Recertification: renews the same credential at the same level and edition. Where the underlying body of knowledge remains current, no new training or examination is required specifically for recertification, without prejudice to the maintenance credit requirements.
Transition: updates the edition of the credential. It requires the Behaviour training specified by Behaviour Certification Services (BCS), passing a new examination and completing the applicable process.
What if my certification has already expired?
From the expiry date onwards, the certification must no longer be presented as valid, including the diploma and digital badge.
An additional period of up to six months after expiry is available to complete the reinstatement process in full (Reinstate). During this period, the certification remains expired.
If the body of knowledge is still current
You must pass the reinstatement examination and meet all other applicable requirements.
If the body of knowledge is out of date
You must complete the relevant Behaviour update training and pass the examination currently in force.
Submitting a request, making a payment or completing an individual step does not extend this deadline. After the six-month period, the credential lapses and cannot be reinstated; any future certification requires a new initial certification process.
Keep Your Certification Valid
To apply for Behaviour recertification, check the requirements for your certification level and start the process early enough to complete every stage.