Complaints and appeals

Appeal an accreditation or membership decision

An institution may appeal within 20 working days of receiving its decision. Identify the decision, the grounds and the supporting evidence. Grounds include a material factual error, failure to follow the published procedure or an undisclosed conflict. Disagreement alone is not a ground for automatic reversal.

Send the appeal to office@cqase.org with “Appeal” and your reference in the subject. CQASE aims to acknowledge it within five working days and arrange independent reconsideration within 30 working days of a complete file. If more time is needed, the institution receives a reason and revised date. There is no appeal fee.

The outcome may uphold the decision, require a fresh review or correct the decision, with reasons recorded. The existing published status remains in force during an appeal unless a separate decision changes it.

Submit a complaint

Use the contact form or email with “Complaint” in the subject. Identify the institution or process, explain the concern, provide evidence and state the outcome sought. Remove unnecessary personal information. We target acknowledgement within five working days and a substantive response within 30 working days, with updates if delayed.

For a complaint about an institution, normally use its own complaints procedure first. Concerns about serious risks or misleading CQASE claims may be reported directly. CQASE can review compliance with its standards and recognition terms; it cannot award compensation, replace a court or regulator, or compel an institution to recognise a qualification.

Suspension and withdrawal

Material non-compliance, false evidence, misuse of status or failure to participate in monitoring may result in suspension or withdrawal. CQASE gives the institution the grounds and an opportunity to respond, except where urgent suspension is needed to protect learners or the integrity of a record. The public register shows the resulting status.