Assessor payments, made clear.

Section 01

Parties and scope

These terms apply between the Association of Construction Quality Professionals, trading as the ACQP Training Centre (“ACQP”, “the Centre”, “we” or “us”), and each assessor engaged on a freelance or self-employed basis (“the Assessor” or “you”).

They govern assessor fees, payment milestones, expenses, learner inactivity, withdrawal, reassignment and completion of assessment work. They form part of the Assessor's appointment arrangements and apply to every accepted learner assignment.

The rate recorded in the Assessor Portal or written assignment notice applies to that learner. A written assignment notice takes priority only for the fee, qualification and any expressly stated special conditions.

Section 02

Assignment and acceptance

The ACQP is not obliged to offer a minimum number of learners, and the Assessor is not obliged to accept every assignment. An assignment is accepted when the Assessor confirms acceptance in writing, accepts it through the Assessor Portal or begins substantive assessment work.

Before accepting, the Assessor must confirm that they have the required occupational competence, assessor approval and capacity, and that no conflict of interest exists. An assignment must not be subcontracted, transferred or substituted without the ACQP's prior written approval.

Section 03

Agreed assessor rates

Unless a different amount is recorded in the Assessor Portal or agreed in writing before work begins, the following portfolio fees apply.

Section 04

What the portfolio fee includes

The portfolio fee includes the work reasonably required for a compliant assessment:

• Initial contact, learner induction, eligibility discussion, skills scan and assessment plan.
• Routine telephone, email and online contact with the learner.
• Review and assessment of workplace evidence against the qualification requirements.
• Observations, professional discussions and witness evidence where required.
• Assessment decisions, written feedback, action planning and recorded progress reviews.
• Up to two reasonable reassessment or resubmission reviews for each unit.
• Complete and timely records on the Centre's required systems.
• Submission for IQA and correction of assessor-originated errors.
• Mandatory assessor induction and reasonable standardisation activity.

The Assessor must not charge a learner directly for assessment, support, visits, resubmissions or any other activity connected with an ACQP assignment.

Section 05

Expenses and additional work

Remote delivery is assumed unless the ACQP approves a site visit or expense in writing before it is incurred. Receipts or mileage details must accompany the invoice. Unapproved expenses are not payable. (usually no Site Visits are authorised unless in writing from the ACQP)

Additional work may be approved for exceptional support needs, a substantial qualification change, repeated resubmissions beyond the standard scope, an extended support period or an additional site visit. It must be authorised in writing before the work begins.

Section 06

Milestone payments

The portfolio fee is earned in four stages. A milestone is payable only when the stated work has been recorded on the Centre's systems and accepted by the ACQP. Progress is measured against the weighted assessment plan and the substance of the work, not simply the number of documents uploaded.

Section 07

Invoices and payment

When to invoice

The Assessor may invoice after the ACQP confirms that a milestone has been accepted. Invoices should normally be submitted monthly and must include the Assessor's name or business name, invoice number and date, learner reference, qualification, milestone, amount, approved expenses and bank details. Invoices to be sent to payments@acqp.co.uk

Approval and payment

The ACQP will normally approve or query a complete invoice within seven working days. Approved invoices will be paid by bank transfer within 14 calendar days of receipt. Where part is disputed, The ACQP will explain the reason and pay the undisputed amount when due.

Learner payment default

Payment for accepted work already completed is not cancelled merely because the learner later defaults on fees or requests a refund. The ACQP may pause further assessment work while the learner's account or eligibility is reviewed.

Section 08

Learner inactivity

Where a learner does not engage, the Assessor must make reasonable contact attempts using the approved channels and notify the ACQP rather than continuing to accrue unapproved work.

• After 30 days without meaningful engagement, the learner may be flagged as at risk.
• After 60 days, the learner may be formally reviewed.
• After 90 days, the learner may be suspended or withdrawn.

The ACQP may apply a different period where qualification rules, learner circumstances, funding or awarding organisation requirements justify it. Time passing alone does not make a further milestone payable.

Section 09

If a learner withdraws or chooses not to finish

Where a learner withdraws, becomes persistently inactive, loses eligibility or workplace evidence, or stops paying the ACQP, the Assessor will be paid for accepted work completed up to the effective withdrawal date. The full portfolio fee is not automatically payable.

The Assessor must stop work when notified of suspension or withdrawal, update the learner record, provide a concise handover and submit any final invoice within 30 days.

Section 10

Withdrawal between milestones

Completed milestones remain payable. Documented and accepted work completed after the last milestone may be paid at £30 per hour, capped at the value of the next unpaid milestone. The ACQP will verify the assessment plan, audit trail, outputs and IQA input where required before approving the amount.

General availability, waiting time, unrecorded conversations and time spent correcting the Assessor's own errors are not chargeable.

Section 11

Learner restart

If a learner restarts within 12 months, The ACQP will, where practicable, return the learner to the original Assessor. Previous payments are credited against the portfolio fee and are not paid again.

A reactivation or additional support fee may be agreed where evidence requires substantial revalidation, qualification rules have changed, the support period has expired or the restart creates material work beyond the original scope.

Section 12

Reassignment and assessor withdrawal

Reassignment not caused by assessor default

If the ACQP reassigns a learner for reasons not caused by the Assessor's breach, including operational needs, learner preference, conflict management or extended absence, the outgoing Assessor will be paid under the withdrawal provisions and must provide a complete handover.

If the Assessor withdraws

The Assessor should give at least 14 days' written notice where reasonably possible and provide a complete handover. Payment is limited to accepted work. Avoidable duplication or unusable incomplete work is not payable.

Reassignment caused by assessor default

Where reassignment results from serious delay, non-engagement, loss of approval, an undisclosed conflict, malpractice, poor records or material breach, the ACQP may hold the disputed part of an unpaid fee while usable work is verified. Only accepted work is payable.

Section 13

Quality assurance and corrections

IQA queries and corrections arising from assessor omissions, inaccurate decisions or inadequate records are included in the portfolio fee and must be addressed promptly.

The ACQP may authorise additional paid work where an issue arises from changed requirements, new learner evidence or a matter outside the Assessor's reasonable control. A learner's failure to demonstrate competence does not deprive the Assessor of payment for compliant work.

Section 14

Records and payment evidence

The Centre's electronic records are the primary evidence of work completed. Records must be accurate, current and detailed enough to support payment, IQA, external quality assurance, audit and learner transfer.

A claim for between-milestone work must identify the date, activity, duration and output.

Section 15

Tax and employment status

Unless the ACQP confirms otherwise in writing, the Assessor supplies services as an independent contractor and is responsible for their own Income Tax, National Insurance, insurance and business expenses.

Contract wording alone does not determine employment or tax status. The actual working arrangements and applicable law must be considered. The Assessor must provide information reasonably required for the ACQP to assess status or comply with tax obligations.

Section 16

Payment disputes

An Assessor disputing a payment decision must notify the ACQP in writing within 14 calendar days, identifying the learner, milestone or amount, the outcome requested and the supporting assessment records.

The Training Centre Manager will review the matter first. If unresolved within 14 calendar days, it may be referred to an ACQP director who was not directly responsible for the original decision. This does not remove either party's legal rights.

Section 17

Changes to rates or terms

The ACQP may revise standard rates or these terms by giving reasonable written notice. A change will not reduce a fee already earned or alter an accepted learner assignment unless both parties agree in writing. New terms may apply to assignments accepted after their effective date.

Section 18

Governing law

These terms and any non-contractual dispute arising from them are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory legal rights that apply.

Section 19

Acceptance

The Assessor confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these terms, their assessor appointment documentation and the rate stated for each accepted assignment. Acceptance may be recorded through the Assessor Portal, by signature or by written acceptance of an assignment incorporating these terms.