The Association is committed to raising the profile and enhancing the status of electoral administrators who perform such a vital role in the democratic process. It is also dedicated to encouraging and maintaining the highest possible standards of work provided by its members. In pursuing those objectives, it created a Qualifications Board as an examining and awarding body for professional qualifications in electoral administration. Following a pilot project, the qualification for electoral administrators commenced in 1998. The qualifications are offered on a progressive route from a Foundation course to a Certificate and then to a Diploma.

The introduction of the qualification has further enhanced the progress and development of the Association and raised its profile in the public arena and with employing local authorities. Local authorities now largely require prospective employees to be in possession of the relevant level of electoral administration qualification, or be studying to achieve it. If you are interested in taking the Association's Qualification, you can obtain an Information Pack for the appropriate part by clicking the equivalent tab above; there is a link to an Information Pack and an application form in each section.

Click here for the 2012 Qualification diary dates.

An information pack about registering for the Certificate level of the Association's Qualification may be obtained by clicking HERE. The pack should provide you with all the information that you require to enable you to register. However, if you require any further information or wish to discuss any aspect of the process, please do not hesitate to contact John Turner at the email address below.

Please note that the cost of any training courses which you choose to attend or reading or other materials are not included in the fees for the Qualification. The exception to this is that the two courses specifically linked to the Qualification (the induction course and the examination techniques course) are both provided free of charge. Otherwise, the Qualification fees (shown in the information pack) are solely in respect of administration and assessment costs.

The syllabus has been revised to take account of legislative changes introduced up until the end of 2011 including the consequential secondary legislation. This means that all assessments for the September 2012 programme will be based on the position which now applies.

If you wish to pursue an application, please complete the registration form which is available by clicking HERE and then emailing it to John at john.turner@aea-elections.co.uk or by sending it to him addressed to John Turner, Chairman - AEA Qualifications Board, 12 Henry Preston Road, Tasburgh, Norwich, NR15 1NU. A limit is being placed on the number of entries at Certificate level this year and entries up to that limit are being accepted on a first come first served basis.

Please note that applications for registration must be received by 1st September and that the induction course for the programme will be held shortly after that.

An information pack about registering for the Certificate level of the Association's Qualification may be obtained by clicking HERE. The pack should provide you with all the information that you require to enable you to register. However, if you require any further information or wish to discuss any aspect of the process, please do not hesitate to contact John Turner at the email address below.

The Certificate syllabus consists of the existing modules on registration of electors and elections administration. These are an either/or option to reflect the fact that the vast majority of staff in Scotland work on either registration or elections but not both. The other Scottish module (SC3) is compulsory for all candidates and includes Scottish Parliamentary elections, Community Councils, National Park Board elections, Devolved and reserved powers, Scottish local government and a general section providing an overview of Scottish electoral administration.

Candidates for the Certificate either have to be able to demonstrate a minimum of three years' work experience in either electoral registration or elections administration or can make a case to be exempted from the above requirement.

The syllabus has been revised to take account of legislative changes introduced up until the end of 2010 including the consequential secondary legislation. This means that all assessments for the September 2011 programme will be based on the position which now applies.

If you wish to pursue an application, please complete the registration form which is available by clicking HERE and then emailing it to John at john.turner@aea-elections.co.uk or by sending it to him addressed to John Turner, Chairman - AEA Qualifications Board, 12 Henry Preston Road, Tasburgh, Norwich, NR15 1NU. A limit is being placed on the number of entries at Certificate level this year and entries up to that limit are being accepted on a first come first served basis.

Please note that applications for registration must be received by 1st September and that the induction course for the programme will be held shortly after that.

An information pack about registering for the Diploma level of the Association's Qualification may be obtained by clicking HERE. The pack should provide you with all the information that you require to enable you to register. However, if you require any further information or wish to discuss any aspect of the process, please do not hesitate to contact John Turner at the email address below.

It is worth pointing out that the Board reviewed the Diploma and has made some changes with effect from the 2007 programme. The changes include the provision of a number of workshops aimed specifically at the dissertation and the three modules together with a longer period to actually do the whole programme - the dissertation will be required in year 1 and the examinations taken at the end of year 2. These changes came into effect in November 2006 when the first workshop for the dissertation was provided. This will be followed by workshops on the three modules later in the programme.

Please note that the cost of any training courses which you choose to attend including the ones described above or reading or other materials are not included in the fees for the Qualification. The exception to this is in respect of the dissertation workshop which is provided free of charge. Otherwise, the Qualification fees (shown in the information pack) are solely in respect of administration and assessment costs.

If you wish to pursue an application, please complete the registration form which is available by clicking HERE and then emailing it to John at john.turner@aea-elections.co.uk or by sending it to him addressed to John Turner, Chairman - AEA Qualifications Board, 12 Henry Preston Road, Tasburgh, Norwich, NR15 1NU.

Please note that applications for registration must be received by 1st October.

The scheme of Continuing Professional Development for holders of the Diploma and/or the Certificate is currently deferred.