Scottish Ministers have made the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/385), replacing references to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with Qualifications Scotland across multiple instruments. The regulations were made on 3 December and laid on 5 December 2025, taking effect on the day section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 is commenced for all purposes. Section 1 of the 2025 Act establishes Qualifications Scotland; parts of that section began on 1 December 2025 under the Commencement No. 1 Regulations. The consequential regulations will switch on when section 1 is fully commenced.
The policy intent is continuity. By updating statutory references, government ensures awarding, accreditation and consultation duties continue under the new body without legal ambiguity. The 2025 Act provides for the dissolution of the SQA and sets transitional arrangements so activity transfers to Qualifications Scotland at dissolution. As at early December 2025, dissolution has not yet been commenced.
Social services regulation is aligned first. The Scottish Social Services Council (Consultation on Codes of Practice) Order 2001 is amended so that consultation duties refer to Qualifications Scotland rather than the SQA, and the Order now uses the Act’s definition of a “Qualifications Scotland qualification”. This reflects the new function to approve establishments that present learners for Qualifications Scotland qualifications.
Council tax rules for students and apprentices are updated. The Council Tax (Discounts) (Scotland) Consolidation and Amendment Order 2003 now references Qualifications Scotland in provisions on apprentices, students with recent SQA/Qualifications Scotland study, and lists of qualifying courses. For local authorities and households, eligibility tests are unchanged but the qualifying body named in law is new.
Charity protections are tidied. The Protection of Charities Assets (Exemption) (Scotland) Order 2006 removes a redundant reference to the SQA, reflecting the move to Qualifications Scotland and clearing a legacy citation with no operational impact.
Licensing training requirements are brought up to date. Under the Licensing (Training of Staff) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, the acceptable accreditation for staff who sell or serve alcohol is now by Qualifications Scotland rather than the SQA. Training providers should ensure certificates and course literature name the correct regulator once commencement occurs.
Equality law designations change in step. The Equality Act 2010 (Qualifications Body Regulator and Relevant Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 now specify Qualifications Scotland as the “appropriate regulator” for section 96 purposes, replacing the SQA. This keeps the route for redress and oversight of qualification bodies intact under the new regime.
Animal welfare competence certification is realigned. In the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Scotland) Regulations 2012, the definition of a “qualification certificate” now refers to bodies recognised and regulated by Qualifications Scotland. Abattoir operators and training centres should update documentation to reflect the name change when the consequential regulations commence.
Road works accreditation and registration are reassigned. The Road Works (Qualifications of Operatives and Supervisors) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 now list Qualifications Scotland as the registration body and as the body for qualification registration, replacing the SQA. Utilities, contractors and their awarding centres should expect the same processes under the new name.
Music education support keeps pace. The St Mary’s Music School (Aided Places) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 are amended so that “field study course” references examinations conducted by Qualifications Scotland rather than the SQA, ensuring remission of charges continues to track the current awarding body.
Student finance rules are updated for non‑advanced learning and designated courses. The Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022 now use Qualifications Scotland in provisions for Education Maintenance Allowances and in schedule entries for designated courses for loans and tuition fee support. SAAS administration should be unaffected beyond the updated statutory name.
Timing and transition are set elsewhere. The Commencement No. 1 Regulations brought parts of the 2025 Act into force on 1 December 2025 and include a transitory rule, until 30 November 2029, that treats SQA-devised or accredited awards as “relevant qualifications” for the purposes of Qualifications Scotland membership criteria. The consequential amendments in SSI 2025/385 will take effect when section 1 is commenced for all purposes.