The history of iTEC-established in 1947 (Founders of iTEC and VTCT)
What is iTEC? The name iTEC, meaning International Therapist Examination Council, came into use in 1973.
The International Therapy Examination Council (iTEC) has been awarding high-quality and respected qualifications since 1947. It is a leading UK specialist examination board providing quality qualifications allowing people to practise professionally in the UK and countries throughout the world. ITEC currently has centres registered in countries in Africa, North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
It is one of the world's leading and most successful awarding bodies specialising in Complementary Medicine and Sports & Fitness Training. During 2011-2012 ITEC conducted over 38,000 QF examinations worldwide.
ITEC is an official awarding body approved by the (Old Department: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) (New Department: Qualificstions and Curriculum Deveolpment Agency - QCDA) and the (Department for Education and Employment - DFEE). It is a recognised awarding organisation regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL). As such all the ITEC (old System: QCF Qualifications and Credit Framework) / (new System: Regulated Qualifications Framework - RQF) and ( European Qualifications Framework - EQF) are approved on the Qualifications and Credits Framework / Regulated Qualifications Framework.
ITEC Diploma qualifications are highly regarded by prospective employers who know an ITEC qualification means excellence in both theoretical knowledge and practical ability, as well as a rigorous and independent examination process.
Our Courses follow the latest iTEC QCF (Qualifications and Credits Framework) syllabi which were introduced by the UK government in September 2009 and revised in September 2012.
This means that when the government establishes a national mandatory state regulator for Complementary Medicine your qualification will be automatically recognised. In addition, your qualification will be recognised so that you are able to work within the National Health Sector and your course can now count as credit towards a University Degree Course.
Successful completion of iTEC Courses enables you to join the current voluntary regulator set up by the Department of Health – the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council.
CNHC Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council - ITEC Course List Statement - Download
iTEC Institutional History
On behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), iTEC provides more than 35 government-recognized qualifications recognized by the UK Qualifications and Examinations Authority (OFQUAL) and has been registered in the UK National Qualifications Framework. These iTEC qualifications attract funding from the Learning and Skills Committee.
iTEC qualification is supported by the industry and can be easily operated both domestically and internationally.
iTEC has ensured that each qualification certificate has reflected the best practices in the workplace in the syllabus and that each course has been associated with the relevant job role, and has ensured that the syllabus reflects the knowledge and knowledge required by practicing therapists Skill level
iTEC International Qualification
iTEC has more than 1850 centers (iTEC + VTCT) approved for close partnerships, with offices and representatives in Ireland and the United States in London, South Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region worldwide. iTEC provides centers and learners with high-quality supervisory qualifications for employability, professional subjects, and skills enhancement. The iTEC portfolio includes beauty and spa qualifications, complementary therapies, sports fitness, beauty salons, and customer service departments.
High quality and respectable industry qualifications
iTEC provides internationally leading qualifications, specializing in beauty and spa therapy, cosmetology, complementary therapy, sports fitness training, and customer service centers in 40 countries. (Including United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, etc.).
iTEC Therapy Qaulifications History - 1989 iTEC Certificate

As leading Awarding Organisations, iTEC & VTCT are committed to delivering the highest standards for our centres and learners.
To that end we have invested in enhanced security for our certificates issued for both iTEC and VTCT. In addition, this year, iTEC & VTCT was rebranded, therefore, in line with our new brand, we are pleased to announce that the iTEC & VTCT certificates have been redesigned with our new brand identities and enhanced security features.
Special features of the new certificates include:
- High quality security paper: Making it extremely difficult for counterfeits and alterations to be made.
- Personalised UV Text: On each certificate iTEC & VTCT is printed in invisible Ultra Violet ink into the background design.
- Security Hologram: Our certificates have the best visible deterrent to copy fraud.
- Microtext: The words iTEC and VTCT have been reduced to a scale requiring magnification to read. To the naked eye, the text appears as a solid line.
We are dedicated to ensure that all rebranding reflects our values, and as an organisation we are confident that our learners have access to high quality and secure certificates.

iTEC International Therapy Examination Council Certificate Sample
Ofqual = Office of Qualifications and Examination Assessment
RQF = Regulated Qualifications Framework
EQF = European Qualifications Framework
VTCT = Vocational Training Charitable Trust
Last update date: 30th Jan 2025