New candidate and teacher authentication form
12 October 2026
This update was first published on 22 September 2026. We've now added new FAQs about qualifications with endorsements or practical skills requirements, and assessments that began before September 2026.
All JCQ awarding bodies are introducing updated candidate and teacher authentication declarations for qualifications with non-exam assessment components where candidate and teacher authentication is required. This change is reflected in the latest JCQ Instructions for conducting non-examination assessments and Instructions for conducting coursework.
Centres must make sure all candidates have read the notice to candidates section of the authentication form before beginning their work.
Centres must use the updated declarations for assessments completed from September 2026.
What this means for Cambridge OCR centres
For most qualifications, we have replaced the separate candidate authentication statement and centre authentication form with a new candidate and teacher authentication form. GCSE, AS and A Level Design and Technology, and A Level Geography will continue to use qualification-specific forms. See the FAQs below for details.
For each unit or component, each candidate must sign the form before they submit their work to their teacher. By signing the form, they declare the work is their own and any assistance or sources used have been acknowledged.
Teachers must also sign the form for each candidate to confirm the work submitted is the candidate’s own. This means teachers now sign one form for each candidate, rather than one centre authentication form for each unit or component.
Centres must keep the completed forms until all reviews of results, malpractice investigations and appeals have been resolved. The forms do not need to be submitted to Cambridge OCR unless they are requested.
We’ll be updating our specifications to reflect this change. In the meantime, centres must use the new candidate and teacher authentication form for assessments completed from September 2026, even where the current specification refers to the previous candidate authentication statement or centre authentication form.
The JCQ Instructions for conducting non-exam assessments (Vocational and Technical Qualifications) have not yet been updated, but the new form still applies to all relevant Cambridge OCR vocational and technical qualifications and Cambridge Technicals from September 2026.
Accessing the new form
The candidate and teacher authentication form is available to download from the centre assessment pages on our website.
The candidate and teacher authentication form is also listed as part of the submission requirements for our qualifications.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Which qualifications does this apply to?
The new candidate and teacher authentication form applies to all Cambridge OCR qualifications with non-exam assessment where candidate and teacher authentication is required.
There are some exceptions. For the following qualifications, centres must use the specific candidate authentication form and submit it with the centre sample, rather than using the candidate and teacher authentication form:
Do centres need to use the candidate and teacher authentication form for qualifications with an endorsement of practical skills requirements?
No. Instead, centres should continue to complete and submit the NEA centre declaration form for:
- GCSE English Language (J351)
- GCSE Biology (J247, J257), Chemistry (J248, J258), Physics (J249, J259) and Combined Science (J250, J260)
- A Level Biology (H420, H422), Chemistry (H432, H433) and Physics (H556, H557)
- A Level Geology (H414)
The head of centre must sign the relevant statement on the form.
When do centres need to start using the new form?
Centres must use the new form for assessments completed from September 2026.
When should candidates read and sign the form?
Centres must make sure candidates have read the information on the form before they start their work. Candidates should only sign the declaration once the work has been completed, before they submit it to their teacher.
My students completed the assessment before September 2026 and have already completed the previous authentication form. Do we need to use the new form?
No. If the assessment was completed before September 2026 and candidates have already completed the previous authentication form, you do not need to ask them to complete the new form.
My students completed their assessment before September 2026 but will be completing it this year. Do they need to sign the new form?
Yes. Candidates must sign the new form even if they started their assessment before it was available. Where candidates have already started their work, centres should make sure candidates read the notice to candidates section of the authentication form as soon as possible and before they sign the declaration.
Does the teacher still need to complete a separate centre authentication form?
No. The new candidate and teacher authentication form replaces the separate candidate authentication statement and centre authentication form.
Does a teacher need to sign a form for every candidate?
Yes. Teachers must sign the form for each candidate to confirm the work submitted is the candidate’s own.
Who needs to complete the teacher declaration?
The teacher declaration must be completed by the person responsible for authenticating the candidate’s work and confirming that the requirements on the form have been met. This may be the candidate’s teacher, assessor or another person at the centre who has supervised or assessed the work and can confirm it is the candidate’s own.
Do private candidates need to complete the form?
Yes. Private candidates must complete the candidate declaration. The teacher declaration must also be completed by the person responsible for authenticating their work. This may be a member of centre staff or person appointed by the centre through a third part agreement (see section 3.1 of the JCQ General Regulations).
How long do centres need to keep the forms?
Centres must keep the forms until all reviews of results, malpractice investigations and appeals have been resolved.
Where can centres find the form?
The form is available from the centre assessment pages on our website, the Assessment > Forms section on Teach Cambridge, and the submission requirements pages for our qualifications.
What does this mean for Cambridge Technicals?
For Cambridge Technicals, you must still confirm on Interchange that you hold completed declarations when you submit the claim.
You must also use the new candidate and teacher authentication form. This replaces the specific Cambridge Technicals candidate declaration.
Do resitting candidates need to complete the new form?
Candidates need to complete an authentication form each time they submit work. If a candidate is resubmitting work from September 2026, they must complete the new candidate and teacher authentication form.
Does the form need to be completed for each component or unit?
Yes. A completed candidate and teacher authentication form is needed for each candidate, for each relevant non-exam assessment component or unit.
Can centres create their own version of the form?
No. Centres must use the Cambridge OCR candidate and teacher authentication form for Cambridge OCR assessments completed from September 2026. The form must be used as provided for each candidate, for each relevant unit or component.
Does this apply to Life and Living Skills?
No. Centres do not need to use the candidate and teacher authentication form for Life and Living Skills.