Photo ID for Examination Entry

Important changes for entry to vocational examinations

The ISTD has been advised by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) that we must put in place identity checks in the form of photographic identification for all candidates of 16 and over, taking vocational examinations. This is a requirement that they have put in place in many sectors following cases where some people have passed themselves off as other candidates for examinations.

The following examinations are therefore affected:

Intermediate Foundation
Intermediate
Advanced 1
Advanced 2
Foundation in Dance Instruction
Certificate in Dance Education
Associate Diploma
Enrico Cecchetti Diploma
Licentiate
Fellowship

In addition, for Dancesport only, Student Teacher, Associate, Professional Dance Diploma:
In the UK, from 9th March, in the case of students over the age of 16 registering newly in your school, the identity check should take place as part of the registration process. In other words, as well as the normal checks you would carry out on candidates in regards to their entry qualifications etc., you will also need to ask the candidate to provide photographic identification.

For international examinations, this should take place for all examinations taking place after 18th April 2009.

You will need to do this for all your existing students as soon as possible, as you must do this as soon as they are entered on your timetable, which you submit for an ISTD examination, but this is only for those students over 16 entering for a vocational examination as listed.

The valid photo ID must be in one of the following three categories:
1. Valid passport;
2. Drivers licence;
3. Valid photo identity card, including NUS card, 16–25 Railcard, Portman card, PASS card and European identity cards.

This identification must be from a validating external body – i.e. not just a photograph that the candidate provides with no external authority attached to it. Once you have checked the photographic identification, you will need to keep your own record and list these details on the examination entry form, detailing the type of identity card, number of the card and the date the photo identity was checked. Your confirmation that this has been checked will then be logged as part of the examination entry process at HQ. The candidates’ actual ID details will not be recorded on a database, so that there should be no concerns in relation to data protection issues.

On the examination day:
The student must bring the same ID to the examination with them. If the examination is at your centre, you must check it. If you are joining together with another teacher in a private session, the teacher who submits the examination entries is responsible for ensuring that the candidates’ details are provided, and also for checking these against photo ID on the examination day. If the candidate is being entered at a UK Regional Centre, or at London Centre, their ID will be checked by the invigilator. If they do not remember to bring the ID they will not be able to take the examination.

This information must be supplied on all examination timetable entries received for UK examinations from 9th March, regardless of the examination’s date and for all International examinations taking place after 18th April 2009. We trust that you understand the reason for it and will be able to deal with it as we have asked. We can assure you that other awarding bodies are going through the same process, and it is not something that the ISTD has determined alone.

If you have any queries, please contact the Examinations departments, who would be pleased to help.