VCA exam 2026 (B-VCA, VOL-VCA, VIL-VCU)

How the exam works

• B-VCA40 questions in 60 minutes
• VOL-VCA60 questions in 60 minutes; VIL-VCU: 60 questions in 60 minutes
• Four question typesMultiple choice, multiple response (choose more than one answer), matrix and matching
• FeeSet by the exam centre, about €100 per exam according to SSVV

• Pass with at least 64.5% of the points, in all three exams
• On a computer, laptop or tablet at an SSVV-recognised exam centre; B-VCA can also be taken as a read-aloud exam
• The diploma is valid for 10 years

Which VCA diploma do you need?

B-VCA (basic safety) is for everyone who does risky work or works in a risky environment at a VCA-certified company: permanent staff, temporary workers, self-employed people and interns. VOL-VCA is for operational supervisors and for self-employed people who work as a subcontractor for a VCA-certified company. VIL-VCU is for intermediaries and supervisors at temporary-work agencies. A course is not required, but it is recommended.

What changed in 2026

Renewed exams in Dutch started on 1 January 2026; exams in other languages followed from 1 August 2026. VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU now have 60 questions instead of 70. From 1 September 2026 the syllabus version 3.1 applies, with a pass mark of 64.5% of the points (65% before). Practice material that still gives 70 questions for VOL-VCA is out of date.

The four chapters of the exam

• A. Preparing, discussing and inspecting: rules and legislation, consultation and inspections, prevention
• B. Carrying out the work: the workplace, personal protective equipment, work equipment and specific work such as working at height and in confined spaces
• C. Controlling specific hazards: hazardous substances, electricity and radiation, fire and explosion
• D. Dealing with incidents and emergencies: accidents and emergencies

B-VCA, VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU compared

All three exams cover the same four chapters. VOL-VCA asks more about supervisors' tasks, such as inspections, the task risk analysis (TRA) and accident investigation. VIL-VCU also covers how duties are split between the agency and the hiring company, and the information a temporary worker must receive. The exam text is at language level A2 for B-VCA and B1 for VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU.

Booking, results and retakes

Your training provider usually books the exam. You can also book directly with an SSVV-recognised exam centre; bring valid ID. At the end you see a provisional result on screen. If you pass, the exam centre records your diploma in the Central Diploma Register (CDR). If you fail, you can sit the exam again through the exam centre.

Fees

The exam centre sets the price, and the exam is often included in the course price. SSVV gives about €100 for a stand-alone exam; a read-aloud exam or an exam in another language often costs a little more. Examples checked on 18 October 2026: Nationaal Exameninstituut from €64.50, PBNA from €92.50 excluding VAT for B-VCA.

Languages

The renewed exams are available in Dutch, English, German and French; other languages followed later. Which languages you can choose depends on the exam centre and the diploma. Large exam centres offer B-VCA in many languages.

How to prepare

FreeExamPath writes its own practice questions from SSVV's public syllabus. They are not exam questions, and FreeExamPath is not affiliated with SSVV or any exam centre. Each of our questions has exactly one correct answer; the real exam also has multiple-response, matrix and matching questions. SSVV offers a demo exam for each diploma so you can get used to the exam screen.

Official information

• SSVV: VCA exams (in Dutch)
• SSVV: what changes in the VCA exams in 2026 (in Dutch)
• SSVV: exam blueprints, version 2026 (Excel, in Dutch)
• SSVV: VCA syllabus 3.1 (Excel, in Dutch)

Questions about the VCA exam