Assessors & Verifiers — Definitions, Responsibilities & Training
This page provides the full public-access view of Assessor and Verifier requirements as defined in IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.1 and §4.1.2. No login is required. For the full interactive dashboard with live candidate data, use the Assessor Dashboard login.
Public access page. This page shows all IMCA-sourced Assessor and Verifier requirements without requiring login. The full Assessor Dashboard (assessor.html) requires authenticated login with company assessor credentials and provides live candidate data, sign-off tools, and verification workflows.
Key requirement — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.2: "To afford a level of auditable credibility it is important that the verifier is a different person from the assessor on each occasion."
Assessor — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.1
- In some fields, competence to carry out assessments may require specific statutory qualifications (e.g. medical first aid assessments).
- For the assessment of more senior positions (e.g. supervisors), the assessor should have responsibility for the individual's work.
- Both the person being assessed and the assessor need to be familiar with the assessment process and what is required of them.
- Communicate with the job holder about the assessment process — including the standard of competence being assessed, how the job holder will demonstrate competence and how competence will be documented.
- Ensure that activities used for evidence are at an appropriate level — not too basic or too advanced for the position being assessed.
- Work with the person being assessed to gather and record evidence in line with the assessment process — in most cases this requires on-the-job observation and assessment.
- Provide the person being assessed with clear and accurate feedback on any assessment conducted.
- Be trained to carry out assessments and familiar with company systems and procedures relevant to the assessment process.
- Knowledge of standards of competence being assessed
- Knowledge and application of direct assessment methods (observation, questioning, discussion, simulation)
- Knowledge and application of indirect assessment methods (witness testimony, work products, candidate reports, RPL)
- How to plan and conduct an assessment
- How to record evidence of competence
- Documentation, record keeping, confidentiality and cyber-security
- How to give clear, accurate and constructive feedback
- Use of SMART or other effective goal-setting methods
- Handling disputes and inconsistencies of evidence
- How to confirm progression and record achievement
Verifier — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.2
- The verifier may work on-board a vessel, at an onshore office, or be an external verifier approved by the company.
- Critical: The verifier must be a different person from the assessor on each occasion (§4.1.2).
- Must have thorough knowledge of all assessment and verification procedures.
- Ensure a consistent and uniform approach to assessment.
- Support assessors.
- Guarantee that all records are accurately maintained and assessed against the correct standard.
- Have thorough knowledge of all assessment and verification procedures.
- The purpose of the competence management scheme
- The difference between quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA)
- The roles of verifier, assessor and other personnel within the company structure
- Standards of competence
- Principles of assessment
- Verification cycle: planning, carrying out and recording verification
- Sampling strategies and risk management
- Data protection and audit trails
- Standardisation of assessors
- How to give clear and constructive feedback to assessors
- Dispute procedures
- Equality and diversity
- Continuing professional development (CPD) planning
6-Step Assessment Process — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2
From IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4: "An integral element of a CAS — also known as a Competence Management System (CMS) — should be workplace assessments carried out by appropriately trained and experienced assessors. In addition, to ensure the consistency and fairness of the assessments, a company should have in place a verification process to assure the assessments undertaken."
Verify that the candidate meets all entry-level qualifications before assessment begins.
- Check qualifications, certificates and training against C003 §2.4 Assurance Table
- Verify diving experience hours and offshore service record
- Confirm valid offshore medical and mandatory safety certificates
- Programme Verifier co-signs entry criteria sheet
Candidate conducts self-assessment against all competence units and gathers supporting evidence.
- Candidate completes self-assessment checklist for all K, A, D items
- Evidence gathered: logbook, certificates, work records, witness testimony
- Direct and indirect evidence identified (C001 §4.2.1)
- Evidence portfolio assembled and submitted to assessor
Approved company assessor conducts on-the-job assessment of all competence units.
- Assessment covers full range of K, A, D requirements per C003 §2.5
- Direct methods: observation, questioning, discussion, simulation/drills
- Indirect methods used to supplement direct evidence
- Decision recorded: Competent / Not Yet Competent / Insufficient Evidence
Assessor formally signs off each competence unit after satisfactory assessment.
- Assessor signature and date recorded per unit
- Clear and constructive feedback provided to candidate
- Evidence cross-referenced with competence code identifiers
- Not Yet Competent: SMART goals set for further development
Independent verifier reviews all assessments for consistency, accuracy and compliance.
- Verifier must be different from assessor (C001 §4.1.2 — mandatory)
- All evidence cross-referenced and verified
- Assessment records checked for completeness and accuracy
- Verifier signs off all verified units
Final recording of all assessment outcomes in the IMCA Record of Competence and issue of Certificate of Competence.
- All records updated in IMCA Record of Competence format
- Certificate of Competence issued (all units verified Competent)
- Records held per data protection and cyber-security requirements
- Validity period noted: max 5 years (C001 §4.5)
12 Safety-Critical Roles — IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 §2.1
| Code | Role Title | Units | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| D01 | Diving Superintendent (may be termed Offshore Manager — Ref. IMCA D014) | 11 | Safety-Critical |
| D02 | Bell Diving Supervisor | 12 | Safety-Critical |
| D03 | Air (Surface Supplied) Diving Supervisor | 14 | Safety-Critical |
| D04 | Bell (Saturation) Diver | 11 | Safety-Critical |
| D05 | Air (Surface Supplied) Diver | 14 | Safety-Critical |
| D06 | Life Support Supervisor | 7 | Safety-Critical |
| D07 | Life Support Technician | 6 | Safety-Critical |
| D08 | Assistant Life Support Technician | 6 | Safety-Critical |
| D09 | Tender | 6 | Safety-Critical |
| D10 | Senior Dive Technician (All Systems) | 7 | Safety-Critical |
| D11 | Senior Dive Technician (Surface Supplied Only) | 7 | Safety-Critical |
| D12 | Dive Technician | 6 | Safety-Critical |
Data Exports
Assessor Dashboard — Login Information
The Assessor Dashboard (assessor.html) requires login. It provides live candidate assessment data, unit sign-off tools, evidence review, verification workflows, and progress tracking. Contact your DIVCAAS administrator for assessor credentials. Default admin access is via admin.html.
Assessor Dashboard
Live candidate sign-off, evidence review, assessment scheduling. Requires assessor login.
Observer / Verifier View
Read-only view for observers and verifiers to review candidate progress without login.
Admin Panel
System administration, user management and full reporting suite. Requires admin login.
Export Centre
Bulk export of assessment data, evidence registers, certificates and reports. No login needed.