There are various awarding bodies from which the awards are granted depending on the level of the award and the award type. The awarding bodies are listed below:

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) grants the national school awards at levels 3 – 5 (i.e., the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate).

The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) grants awards at levels 1 – 6.

The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) grants awards at levels 6 – 10.

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) grants awards at levels 6 – 10.

The Universities grant awards at levels 7 – 10. All of the 14 Institutes of Technology make some awards under the delegated authority HETAC.

Some Professional Bodies also have statutory rights to make awards in the state, which include the following:
An Bord Altranais
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Law Society of Ireland
Council of the Honourable Society of King’s Inns
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
National Society Work Qualifications Board
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Irish Aviation Authority.

Professional Bodies can also apply to have their awards included in the NFQ. The inclusion or alignment of certain professional bodies is to be a voluntary process and is the final area of policy development for the NFQ.

The NFQ thus provides the learner with the ability to access the educational and training system in order to commence a programme of study at a given level; transfer from one programme to another within the system; and progress to a higher level of programme within the system following the successful completion of a preceding course of study and attainment of its award. It is a key tool in plotting your educational progress, climbing the qualifications ladder and setting your educational and professional goals. All courses and course providers recognised by the NFQ are quality assured and internationally recognised.

The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. It was set up in 2001 by the Minister of Education and Science under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999. FETAC offers you the chance to further your education. Not only does it offer really worthwhile courses where you gain excellent training, skills and qualifications designed specifically to help you in the industry you want to get into. FETAC enables you to gain the qualifications you need to further your career – whether it is starting from scratch in a new career area or continuing your training to develop your skills in a career area you are already in.

FETAC makes over 70,000 awards annually to learners in Ireland. FETAC awards are placed on the NFQ at levels 3-6 and under this system their value is easily compared with other national and international awards.

This system ensures that all awards are in accordance with national standards set out in the NFQ and creates opportunities for all learners in further education and training to have their achievements recognised. FETAC offers opportunities for learners allowing people to gain the qualifications or training they need to get a new or better job. It is the single national body responsible for granting awards as well as setting – and maintaining – standards in further education and training.