B-VCA and VOL-VCA: the personal safety diplomas

Alongside company certification, VCA  also offers personal diplomas. The SSVV (Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid, the foundation that manages VCA)  keeps the diploma register , which lists all valid diplomas. These diplomas show that an individual employee has knowledge of working safely. For many roles, these diplomas are mandatory, both for clients and for the company’s VCA certification.

The best-known diplomas are B-VCA (Basic Safety VCA) and VOL-VCA (Safety for Operational Managers). There is also VIL-VCU for employees of staffing agencies. This article covers each diploma in detail: what it involves, who needs it, how to prepare and what it costs.

The VCA diploma system in brief

B-VCA: the basic diploma

B-VCA stands for Basic Safety VCA. It is the most common diploma and is expected from all operational employees who carry out high-risk work.

What does B-VCA test?

The B-VCA exam tests basic knowledge of working safely. The topics include:

Recognising hazards Recognising different types of hazards at the workplace: mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, and physical hazards such as falls, crushing and overloading.

Assessing risks Estimating how serious risks are and knowing which measures are suitable. This also includes the last-minute risk analysis (LMRA): the habit of pausing to consider the risks before the work starts.

Personal protective equipment Knowing and correctly using personal protective equipment (PBM), such as safety helmets, safety glasses, hearing protection, work gloves, safety shoes and fall protection.

Working at height Working safely with ladders, scaffolding and cherry pickers. The rules for using fall protection and the risks of working at height.

Working with electricity The dangers of electricity and the measures to prevent electrocution and fire. Basic knowledge of working safely on and near electrical installations.

Hazardous substances Recognising hazardous substances through labels and hazard symbols. The basic rules for working with hazardous substances and what to do in case of a leak or spill.

Fire and explosion Fire prevention, firefighting with extinguishers, and what to do in case of fire. Recognising explosion risks and the measures in ATEX zones.

Emergency procedures What to do in an emergency: raising the alarm, evacuating, giving first aid, and reporting incidents.

Health and wellbeing Ergonomics, lifting and carrying, and preventing work-related health complaints.

The B-VCA exam

The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four answer options, of which one is correct. You have 60 minutes to complete the exam. To pass, you must answer at least 28 questions correctly (70%).

The questions are practical. They often describe a situation and ask what you should do or what the risk is. Knowledge alone is not enough; you must be able to apply it.

The exam is available in several languages, including Dutch, English, German, Polish and Turkish. This makes it accessible to employees for whom Dutch is not their first language.

Preparing for B-VCA

There are several ways to prepare for the B-VCA exam:

Classroom course A one-day course at a training institute. The trainer covers all topics, and the course often ends with the exam. This is the most common form of preparation.

E-learning Online courses that you can work through at your own pace. Useful for employees who find it hard to take a full day off. After the e-learning, you take the exam at an exam location.

Self-study Studying with the official course book, without a course or e-learning. This requires more self-discipline but is the cheapest option.

Practice exams Whatever preparation method you choose, it is advisable to take practice exams. These give you insight into the type of questions and the pace required.

Most employees who prepare pass the exam. The pass rate is around 80-90%. Anyone who fails can retake the exam, but must pay the exam fee again.

Who needs B-VCA?

B-VCA is required for operational employees who carry out high-risk work. This includes, among others:

• Fitters and installers
• Construction workers and finishing trades
• Welders and metalworkers
• Maintenance fitters
• Cleaners in industrial environments
• Warehouse staff at industrial companies

Office workers who do no physical work on site usually do not need B-VCA. But as soon as someone enters a work location with risks, the diploma is required.

VOL-VCA: the diploma for managers

VOL-VCA stands for Safety for Operational Managers. It is intended for employees who are responsible for the safety of a team or a work location.

What does VOL-VCA test?

VOL-VCA covers all the topics of B-VCA, plus management aspects:

All B-VCA topics The basic knowledge of working safely must be in place. A manager must at least know what the employees need to know.

Risk inventory Carrying out risk inventories and preparing task risk analyses. Assessing risks and determining suitable measures.

Giving safety instructions Instructing employees on safety effectively. Holding toolbox meetings and creating safety awareness.

Supervising Supervising safe working. Identifying and addressing unsafe behaviour. Carrying out workplace inspections.

Incident management Handling incidents: initial response, reporting, recording, analysing, and taking measures to prevent recurrence.

Work permits Working with work permit systems. Understanding the conditions in permits and making sure they are followed.

Legislation Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, in particular the Arbowet (Dutch Working Conditions Act)  and the Arbobesluit (Dutch Working Conditions Decree) .

The VOL-VCA exam

The exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. You have 105 minutes. To pass, you must answer at least 49 questions correctly (70%).

The questions are more complex than those for B-VCA. In addition to knowledge questions, there are many application questions in which you must judge the right action in a described situation. This requires a deeper understanding of the subject.

The exam is available in several languages, but Dutch is the most common.

Preparing for VOL-VCA

Preparation is similar to B-VCA but more extensive:

Classroom course Usually a two-day course. The first day covers the material, and the second day is for review and the exam.

E-learning Online courses with a study load of about 16-20 hours. After the e-learning, you take the exam at an exam location.

Combination course Some providers offer combination courses in which you do the theory online and also attend a day of practical training on location.

Who needs VOL-VCA?

VOL-VCA is required for employees with management responsibilities for safety:

• Foremen and crew leaders
• Work planners
• Project managers and site managers
• Supervisors
• Team leaders
• Directors of small companies

The definition of “operational manager” can lead to debate. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly supervises employees carrying out high-risk work, or who is responsible for safety at a work location, needs VOL-VCA.

At small companies where the director-owner also leads the operations, VOL-VCA is often mandatory for the director.

VIL-VCU: for staffing agencies

VIL-VCU stands for Safety for Intermediaries and Managers in Staffing Organisations (Veiligheid voor Intercedenten en Leidinggevenden in Uitzendorganisaties). It is specific to employees of staffing agencies who place temporary workers with VCA-certified companies. This diploma belongs to the VCU certification of the staffing agency itself.

Why a separate diploma?

Staffing agencies have a special role in the safety chain. They select and second employees who then work at other companies. If a temporary worker is not suitable for the work or is not aware of the risks, this can lead to accidents.

VIL-VCU tests whether staffing agency employees know their responsibilities: selecting suitable candidates, checking safety diplomas, informing temporary workers about risks, and working with the client company.

What does VIL-VCU test?

The exam tests specific knowledge for the staffing sector:

Safety in the staffing sector The role of the staffing agency in the safety chain and the responsibilities of intermediaries.

Selecting candidates Assessing whether a candidate is suitable for a particular role. Checking diplomas, certificates and work experience.

Providing information Informing temporary workers about the risks of the work and the safety requirements of the client company.

Working with client companies Agreeing safety requirements with client companies and monitoring the working situation of temporary workers.

Legislation and regulations Knowledge of the relevant laws and regulations for staffing agencies, including the WAADI (Dutch Allocation of Temporary Workers by Intermediaries Act) and working conditions legislation .

The VIL-VCU exam

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. You have 90 minutes. To pass, you must answer at least 42 questions correctly (70%).

The exam is available in Dutch only.

Who needs VIL-VCU?

VIL-VCU is required for employees of staffing agencies who place temporary workers with VCA- or VCU-certified companies:

• Intermediaries
• Account managers
• Branch managers
• Commercial staff who serve clients in VCA sectors

VIL-VCU is not required for temporary workers themselves. Temporary workers who carry out high-risk work need B-VCA or VOL-VCA, just like permanent employees.

The VCA diploma register

All VCA diplomas are registered in the central register of the Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid (SSVV, the foundation that manages VCA) . This register is public and anyone can consult it.

Why a register?

The register prevents fraud. Clients can check whether someone really holds a valid diploma. You cannot simply invent a diploma or use an expired one.

When accessing industrial sites, it is often checked whether your diploma is in the register. Not registered? Then you will not be admitted.

How do you check a diploma?

Go to the diploma register on vca.nl . You can search by:

• The person’s name and date of birth
• Diploma number

You will then see whether the diploma is valid and until when.

How do you get into the register?

This happens automatically. When you pass your exam, the examination institute registers your diploma in the SSVV register. You do not need to do anything yourself.

It can take a few days before your diploma is visible. In a hurry? Then ask the examination institute for a provisional proof of passing.

Practical matters for VCA diplomas

Where do you take the exam?

VCA exams are administered by accredited examination institutes. Well-known providers in the Netherlands include:

• PBNA  - large national provider
• Dirksen  - also online courses
• SHE Academy  - specialised in safety
• ARBO Centrum  - focus on SMEs
• Kiwa  - part of a large certification body
• Bureau Veritas Training  - international provider

These institutes offer both courses and exams. You can also take the exam only, if you have prepared in another way.

In-company training

Do you have several employees who need to take the exam? Then in-company training may be cheaper. The trainer comes to your location and gives training tailored to your team.

Advantages:

• No travel time for your employees
• Training at a time that suits you
• Often cheaper for larger groups
• The exam can often take place straight afterwards

Request quotes from several providers. Prices can vary considerably.

What does it cost?

Costs vary by provider and by preparation method:

For larger numbers of employees, a group discount can often be negotiated. Some providers also offer in-company training, where the course is given at your own location.

How long is the diploma valid?

All VCA diplomas are valid for ten years. After ten years, you must retake the full exam to renew the diploma. There is no shortened refresher exam; you take the full exam again.

What if you fail?

If you do not pass the exam, you can retake it. You will then have to pay the exam fee again. There is no waiting period; you can book a new exam date straight away.

However, do analyse why you failed. Was the preparation sufficient? Were there specific topics you struggled with? Extra study before the retake increases your chances of passing.

Lost your diploma?

If you have lost your diploma, you can request a duplicate from the SSVV . The SSVV manages the central diploma register where all VCA diplomas are recorded.

You can also check your diploma in the register. Clients can verify here whether a diploma is valid.

Overcoming language barriers in VCA exams

B-VCA and VOL-VCA exams are available in several languages, including Dutch, English, German, Polish and Turkish. This makes the exams accessible to employees for whom Dutch is not their first language.

Please note: being able to read the exam questions is not the same as being able to communicate at the workplace. If an employee takes the exam in Polish but must understand Dutch on site, this can lead to dangerous situations.

Many clients therefore set additional requirements for language skills. Some accept only diplomas in Dutch or English. Others ask for a language test in addition to the VCA diploma.

More information

• VCA for self-employed people - Only a personal certificate, or also a company certificate?
• VCA step-by-step plan - The diplomas as the first step
• VCA requirements - Diploma percentages and other requirements
• Costs and timeline - What do the diplomas cost?
• VCU certification - VCA for staffing agencies
• VCA international - Working abroad
• Recent changes - VCA 2026/6.1
• Frequently asked questions - Answers to practical questions