The State Examinations Commission performs the external validation role for the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes (SC L1 L2) and is the awarding body for certification purposes.

Applicants for the role of SEC validators for the SC L1 L2 programmes should be experienced teachers with relevant skills and knowledge, and a full understanding of the programmes, including their learning outcomes, success criteria, assessment strategy and procedures. Priority will be given to teachers currently delivering these programmes.

Validators are required to give their full time and attention to the work during the validation period, which is expected to be one week in mid-May 2026. Validators are required to attend a one-day in-person training conference, engage with and visit their assigned schools, and submit their recommendations and report following each school visit.

During their visits, validators will seek to engage with the evidence provided by schools to support the external validation process, including student portfolios and evidence of learning, as well as evidence of the schools’ internal validation processes (teacher review meetings).

The assessment of student work is not part of the role of an SEC validator.

It is mandatory that all those undertaking the position of SEC validators for 2026 and subsequent years are registered on the Register of Teachers maintained by the Teaching Council, in order to comply with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

Should you need any assistance with the process or have any questions, you can contact the Senior Cycle L1 L2 Section team by phone at 0906442438, 2436, 2435 or email to SCL1L2@examinations.ie