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Training (3/3): Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE)
This sheet explains what a VAE is. It presents the steps to apply for a VAE and examples of VAE.
Key points of the sheet
- Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) gives official recognition to your skills. It is like a diploma received after a training course.
- Everyone can obtain a VAE. Your age, your nationality or your level of training do not matter.
- To apply for a VAE, you need at least one year of experience. This experience is directly linked to the diploma you want.
- The main steps: apply on the France VAE website, complete a file, then have an interview with a jury. The file details your experience linked to the diploma you want.
- Examples of experience taken into account: salaried or non-salaried work activity, volunteering (bénévolat) or voluntary service (volontariat), being on the list of top-level athletes, trade union responsibilities.
- Taking part in solidarity economy activities also counts. The person must be welcomed and supported by an organisation for people in difficulty.
Words to know
- Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience)
- It lets you have your skills officially recognised, like a diploma.
- France VAE
- It is the website where you submit your application for a VAE.
- jury (panel)
- To obtain a VAE, you have an interview with a jury.
- Volunteering (Bénévolat)
- It is an example of experience taken into account for a VAE.
- Trade union responsibilities (Responsabilités syndicales)
- They are among the experiences taken into account for a VAE.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What minimum experience do you need to apply for a VAE?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle expérience minimum faut-il pour demander une VAE ?
You need at least one year of experience, directly linked to the diploma you want.
Where do you submit your application for a VAE?
In French, the language of the exam: Où déposez-vous votre candidature pour une VAE ?
The first step is to apply on the France VAE website.
Who can obtain a VAE?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui peut obtenir une VAE ?
Everyone can obtain a VAE, whatever their age, nationality or level of training.
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Source
Sheet “Formation (3/3)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.