Responsibility for the guidance on end-point assessments (EPAs) for apprenticeships transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 1 April 2026. Organisations involved in assessing apprenticeships are advised to continue following this guidance.
In England, apprentices undertaking an apprenticeship standard are required to successfully complete an independent assessment at the end of their training. This assessment, known as an end-point assessment, confirms they have achieved occupational competence. Failure to pass this assessment means the apprenticeship is not completed.
End-point assessments are designed to independently evaluate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours acquired during an apprenticeship. They test an apprentice's ability to apply these in a workplace setting. Approved independent end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) are responsible for conducting these assessments.