Renewal procedure

The initial certificate of competence is valid for seven years.

To renew your basic certificate for a further seven-year period, you must hold a valid initial certificate, complete a refresher course, sit an exam and submit a renewal application before the certificate expires.

The aim of the refresher course is to keep you up to date with recent changes in your field of expertise, both in terms of legislation and new developments, without creating an excessive additional workload.

Refresher course

The refresher course consists of an interactive presentation and a question and answer (Q&A) session. The duration of the refresher course is around three hours and covers the most important fundamental aspects and new technological developments. The course also provides an update on regional legislation and information on good practice. You get the refresher course material in advance as you are expected to read it through beforehand. During the interactive presentation, you can ask all the questions you want after reading through the refresher course material.

Refresher training is designed and organised for each category of certificate of competence.

Refresher training is organised by the Flemish Region at recognised training centres that are authorised by VEKA to run basic training courses.

You can find here the list of recognised centres (for basic and refresher training).

The list of recognised training centres organising recycling training in the Walloon Region is available here

The list of recognised training centres organising refresher training in the Brussels-Capital Region is available here

Renewal procedure

To renew your certificate, you must follow the following procedure.

1. Register for refresher training with a training centre recognised by the Region for organising RESCert training.
   Note: you can do a refresher training course:
   • Either during the last two years of validity of your certificate.
   • Or if your initial certificate expired no more than 2 years ago. (Click here for an explanation of the recertification procedure.)
2. Study the refresher course material on your own.
3. Follow the interactive refresher session in a recognised training centre. Participating in the training session is mandatory.
4. If you pass the refresher examination, you get a certificate from the examination centre.
5. If you pass, please submit an application for renewal within 12 months from the exam and before the expiry date of your certificate.
   • Log in here using your personal account on the application.
   • Submit your renewal application via the button to renew your certificate. The online application procedure is available in Dutch and French.
   • The administrative fee for a renewal is €147.80 excluding VAT. This price is indexed annually. You will receive the invoice within 10 working days after receipt of payment.
6. You receive an update on the status of your application within 20 working days of payment confirmation.
7. If the application is approved, you receive your renewed certificate and your name appears on the public website.

It is important that you submit your application for renewal before the basic certificate expires. Please check the training calendar regularly so that you can attend the refresher course in time. For example, start the refresher training one year before your certificate expires to have enough time. If you do not submit your renewal application to RESCert in time, your certificate will expire, your certificate number will expire and your name will no longer be visible on our website. If your certificate has recently expired (in the last two years), you can follow the re-certification procedure (link).

Flemish Region

1. Only a certificate holder who does refresher training while holding a valid certificate, and passes the refresher examination may have their certificate renewed.
2. Refresher courses for certificate renewal may only be taken in the last two years of the validity period of the initial certificate.
3. Applications for certificate renewal must be submitted online no later than 12 months after the refresher examination.

You can find more information on refresher courses and on renewing competence certificates on the VEKA website.

Walloon Region

1. Only a certificate holder who does refresher training while holding a valid certificate, and passes the refresher examination may have their certificate renewed.
2. Applications for certificate renewal must be submitted to RESCert no later than three months before the expiry date of the initial certificate.
3. Applications for certificate renewal must be submitted online no later than 12 months after the refresher examination.

Brussels-Capital Region

1. Only a certificate holder who does refresher training while holding a valid certificate, and passes the refresher examination may have their certificate renewed.
2. Refresher courses for renewing a certificate may only be taken in the last two years of the validity period of the initial certificate.
3. Applications for certificate renewal must be submitted to RESCert no later than three months before the expiry date of the initial certificate.
4. Applications for certificate renewal must be submitted online no later than 12 months after the refresher examination.

Last change: 02/10/2026