Updated: Thursday 17 September 2026
Getting ready for integration: your September update.
Welcome to the third edition of our integration bulletin, keeping you updated on key developments and changes as Active IQ and NCFE come together, and ensuring you feel informed and supported throughout the transition.
Please ensure you cascade this link to all relevant colleagues who may need this information.
In this edition, we will be covering:
- information on system changes for registering learners, claiming certificates and more
- an opportunity to take a guided tour of the NCFE Portal
- updates to bundles
- key upcoming dates for your diary on the pausing of certificate claims
- information on branding updates
- how you can sign up for our new qualification support webinar.
Formal surrender of recognition with Ofqual
Earlier this year, we let you know that we will be formally surrendering recognition of Active IQ as a regulated awarding organisation with Ofqual by the end of 2026. We can now confirm that this date will be 30 October 2026.
This means that after that date, there will be some changes to your ways of working, such as systems and branding. Below, we have outlined these changes, and we’ll continue to guide you through integration and what it means for you over the coming months.
- Registering learners: From 2 November, for most live qualifications, learner registrations will take place on the NCFE Portal. For Active IQ legacy qualifications, technical qualifications, and International Programmes of Study learner registrations will continue to take place on Parnassus, following the usual process. View all qualification categories >
- Claiming certificates: From 2 November, for live qualifications, certificate claims will also take place on the NCFE Portal. For Active IQ legacy qualifications, technical qualifications, and International Programmes of Study learner registrations will continue to take place on Parnassus, following the usual process. View all qualification categories >
- LMS: There will be no changes to the LMS platform, other than branding updates to the homepage.
- Active Intel: Approvals for new qualifications will now be requested via the relevant qualification page on the NCFE website where you can apply for approval for live Active IQ qualifications. Active IQ legacy qualifications, technical qualifications, and International Programmes of Study will continue to follow the current process. View all qualification categories >
- Cirrus: The platform will remain active for learners currently registered on, and completing, Active IQ legacy qualifications.
- Administrative processes: We will be providing an in-depth support guide as part of the October integration bulletin which will cover administrative processes, useful links and instructions.
- Resources: Hard copy manuals will be available via our Webshop and standalone requests for e-resources will continue to follow the existing process.
To help you with the upcoming changes, we will provide further training and supporting resources in October, but if you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected]
Get ahead with our new Portal tour
In August, we informed you that registrations and certification will be moving onto the NCFE Portal. We are really excited to be able to show you around this platform and introduce you to the key features.
Join Hannah Patrick, Team Leader at Active IQ, as she guides you through the platform ahead of November. Focused on all the relevant sections you’ll need, it covers how to add users, view the product catalogue, register learners, claim certificates, and more.
You’ll gain full access to the Portal in November, and we’ll communicate with you again ahead of then, but this is a great chance to familiarise yourself in advance. We welcome any feedback and questions you have after watching the video, so please do contact us by emailing [email protected]
Updates to bundles
The introduction of the Portal has created an opportunity to review our 'e-package' options. We are excited to introduce the option of selecting LMS resources (for example e-learning and e-manuals) at the point of registration on the Portal.
As part of this review, from 1 November we will be removing the larger 'e-package' option which would usually include the hard copy manual. Don't worry, manuals will continue to be available to purchase from our Webshop in the usual way.
The affected qualifications are:
- Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness (Q2MHA26)
- Level 2 Award in Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating (Q2UNUT)
- Level 2 Certificate in Group Training (Q2CGT26)
- Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training (Q3GIPT26)
We request that all e-packages requests across all qualifications are submitted to [email protected] by Wednesday 28 October to allow us time to process them.
Our customer service team is on hand to support you if you have any questions.
Certificate claims
In preparation for the system changes that are effective from the start of November, we will need to pause certificate claims for a short period. Here are the key dates to be mindful of:
- For certificate claims for qualifications where DCS is not applied, the deadline for submission on Parnassus is Friday 9 October to allow time for the EQA team to sample and review the claim.
- For certificate claims for qualifications where DCS is applied, the deadline for submission on Parnassus is Friday 23 October.
- From Monday 2 November certificate claims can resume, and all certificates produced will feature the new dual brand of NCFE and Active IQ.
We appreciate this will cause disruption to certificate claims and have worked to keep this window as short as possible.
For live qualifications, certificate claims will take place on the Portal. For Active IQ legacy and technical qualifications, certificate claims will take place on Parnassus, following the usual process.
View all qualification categories >
Branding updates
As we approach integration, you'll start to see updates to Active IQ branding that reflects the closer relationship between Active IQ and NCFE which will be captured in a new dual brand visual identity.
For centres, this means greater clarity about how Active IQ sits within NCFE, while continuing to benefit from the specialist sector expertise and support you know and trust. We'll share more information in October, including brand guidelines and a marketing toolkit to support any future updates to your websites, marketing materials and communications where you currently use the Active IQ branding.
New qualifications support webinar
Join our webinar on Wednesday 14 October at 11am to support you with our new commercial and technical qualifications launched over the past few months, as well as qualifications being launched towards the end of the year.
To book your place, please use the link below. You will also be able to submit questions in advance that will be answered during the webinar. Please note, questions must be submitted by Friday 2 October to ensure they are addressed. The session will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Archive of previous communications
Please click the accordions below to view previous communications regarding the Active IQ and NCFE integration.
Following Active IQ’s acquisition in 2022 by NCFE, Active IQ will be fully integrating with NCFE by the end of 2026.
This will combine the strengths of both awarding organisations into one organisation that offers the greatest breadth in qualification, delivery and assessment options.
Following this integration, we will offer a combined portfolio across sport, active leisure and wellbeing, providing you with access to a broader range of qualifications.
What does this mean for you?
Although Active IQ is formally becoming part of a larger organisation, the Active IQ brand will continue to maintain its standing as a leading sector specialist in active leisure and wellbeing, while also expanding its portfolio to include NCFE’s sport qualifications to enhance our service offer and support to you.
Both organisations share a mission and core purpose to change lives through education, making a difference for those who matter most – our learners. Additionally, NCFE, like Active IQ, prides itself on exceptional customer service so you won't lose the personal relationships and friendly approach.
The sport, active leisure and wellbeing sector is a priority specialism for NCFE, and we’ll remain committed to representing the sector’s needs and views.
Active IQ has long championed and supported the drive for greater professionalism in the active leisure and wellbeing sector, and this commitment will continue under NCFE, with a strong focus on representing the needs of both employers and learners.
What are the next steps?
Active IQ and NCFE colleagues are working collaboratively as we look to integrate our product portfolio, systems, delivery and regulatory processes. As we go through this period of change, we will ensure all customers are supported throughout, answering any queries you might have.
If you have any initial queries about the integration or would simply like to know more about what this might mean for you as a provider, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) above or email [email protected]
Active IQ account managers are also available to discuss this further so you can also reach out to them directly.
Welcome to the first edition of our integration bulletin. Over the coming months, we'll keep you updated on key developments and changes as Active IQ and NCFE come together, ensuring you feel informed and supported throughout the transition.
As announced last month, Active IQ will fully integrate with NCFE by the end of this calendar year. By combining the strengths of both organisations, we'll be able to offer an even broader range of qualifications, delivery methods, and assessment options, creating greater opportunities and flexibility for our customers and learners.
Recap on information we’ve shared this month
- You can take a look at the integration announcement along with FAQs below.
- We shared our fees and pricing information for 2026-27 – you can take a look at the updated brochure and access FAQs here.
What’s coming up
Update on policies
As part of the integration, we’re implementing a Transitional Policy Framework to ensure regulatory compliance, operational consistency, and continued support for all centres and this will be available from 1 August.
Your current agreement
Your centre remains contracted under its existing centre agreement, which continues in full force at this time. There's no requirement to re-sign your agreement immediately. A new agreement will be issued ahead of full integration, and more information will be shared about this soon.
What is changing?
From 1 August 2026, certain NCFE policies and controls will apply during the transition period. These policies are essential to ensure:
- regulatory compliance (including Ofqual conditions)
- assessment integrity and security
- learner protection
- consistent quality assurance standards.
The following NCFE policies will apply during the transition period and will be available on our Policies and Procedures page from 1 August. You may notice that some of these policies are from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), a membership organisation that NCFE is aligned to, which brings together the UK’s leading qualification providers to ensure clear, consistent, and equitable guidance for the administration of general and vocational qualifications.
- Antibribery and Corruption Policy
- Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy
- Invoicing Policy
- Complaints and Feedback Policy
- Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit
- Conflicts of Interest (COI) Policy
- Sanctions Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Malpractice and Maladministration
- JCQ Guide to Awarding Bodies Appeals Policy
- JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments
- JCQ A Guide to the Special Consideration Process
- JCQ suspected Malpractice Policies and Procedures.
Additional policies will be implemented in phases.
Where policies differ
Where there's any conflict between your existing arrangements and the transitional policies, NCFE transitional policies will take precedence where explicitly stated.
Next steps
There's no action for you to take immediately. When we issue you with the new policies next month, we’ll ask that you access and familiarise yourself with these policies but you will continue operating under your current agreement alongside these requirements.
Getting ready for integration: your August update.
Welcome to the second edition of our integration bulletin, keeping you updated on key developments and changes as Active IQ and NCFE come together and ensuring you feel informed and supported throughout the transition.
What’s coming up
Upcoming systems changes
From 1 November, you will have access to the NCFE Portal, giving you improved self-service functions and support resources to manage key activities more efficiently.
Instead of Parnassus, you will be using the NCFE Portal for activities such as registering learners and claiming certificates.
We understand that this is a significant change to your usual ways of working, which is why we’re here to support and reassure you. We’ll do this by:
- giving you a full tour of the new platform in our webinar this September, where we’ll demonstrate its key functions and benefits
- providing a series of training videos in October, with step-by-step guidance on navigating the platform and completing key tasks – all supported by your dedicated Customer Support team who will be on hand and only too happy to help.
Please note: For learners currently studying a withdrawn or legacy qualification, the certification process will remain on Parnassus. In this instance, please continue to request certificates in the usual way.
Reminder on Centre Agreement
We let you know last month about some changes that we’ve made to our Centre Agreement for the 2026-27 academic year.
As a reminder, your Centre Agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities required to deliver, assess, and administer our qualifications. As part of the upcoming integration with NCFE, we made some small changes to your agreement which came into effect on 1 August.
The main changes:
- Appeals and enquiries about results policies have been updated. Links to the new policies are now available here.
- The terms of invoicing have been updated: payment is now due 30 days from the invoice being received. Previously, it was the date of the invoice.
- The agreement can now be terminated with 30 days’ notice. Previously, this was three months.
- This list of underpinning policies has been updated, as we communicated in the July integration bulletin (see below).
- By continuing to purchase services from Active IQ, you’ll be deemed to have accepted the new Centre Agreement terms.
For any queries, please contact [email protected]
Reminder on Annual Centre Recognition Fee
To align Active IQ and NCFE financial years, the 2026–27 Annual Centre Recognition Fee will be charged on a pro-rata basis for 11 months, covering the period from 1 September 2026 to 1 August 2027.
Centres that already deliver both NCFE and Active IQ qualifications will be charged a single annual centre recognition fee rather than separate fees for each organisation. You can download the updated Fees and Pricing Guide for 2026–27, which is valid from 1 August.
New qualifications
This month, we are celebrating the launch of six exciting new specialist fitness qualifications, providing the knowledge and skills needed to deliver some of the industry's most in-demand exercise disciplines, such as Reformer Pilates.
Reflecting the rapid growth in popularity across the UK, a recent survey of Active IQ training providers found that 76% were interested in delivering a regulated reformer Pilates qualification.
The new Level 2 and 3 qualifications have all been developed in response to market demand, and latest professional standards. They include:
- Level 3 Certificate in Instructing Pilates Studio Reformer Sessions
- Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork
- Level 2 Award in Instructing Circuit Training
- Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebell Training
- Level 2 Award in Instructing Studio Cycling
- Level 2 Award in Instructing Water-based Exercise
Support and guidance
We’re committed to supporting you throughout this transition and into integration. Please get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] if you have any questions.