RNCP Level 6 title and professional license carry the same level of qualification in the French nomenclature and within the European Qualifications Framework (EQF 6). However, this level correspondence does not mean that both certifications open the same doors. Access to a professional license through work-study from an equivalent title depends on specific criteria, which vary according to the chosen path: standard application, VAE, or professionalization contract.
RNCP Level 6 vs. License Degree: What the Nomenclature Doesn’t Say
The most common confusion concerns the difference between qualification level and university degree. A RNCP Level 6 title certifies professional skills validated at Bac+3. A professional license, in addition to being registered with the RNCP at the same level, confers the degree of license awarded by a university.
This distinction has direct consequences. Since the generalization of the Mon Master platform, a holder of a RNCP Level 6 title without a license degree can submit a master’s application. Acceptance remains at the discretion of each university, which may refuse the profile even if the Bac+3 level is formally recognized. Obtaining a RNCP professional license through work-study then becomes a strategic lever to secure further studies.
| Criterion | RNCP Level 6 Title | Professional License |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification Level | Level 6 (Bac+3) | Level 6 (Bac+3) |
| University Degree | No | Yes (license degree) |
| ECTS Credits | Not systematic | 180 ECTS |
| Access to Master’s via Mon Master | Application accepted, admission not guaranteed | Right to apply |
| Issuing Organization | Private or public certifying body | University |
| Work-study Possible | Yes (apprenticeship or professionalization) | Yes (apprenticeship or professionalization) |
Application for Professional License with a RNCP Title: The Real Admission Conditions
The professional license has been accessible after the baccalaureate since the 2019 reform (decree of December 6, 2019). It can correspond to 60, 120, or 180 ECTS depending on the candidate’s previous path. A holder of a RNCP Level 5 title (Bac+2) can therefore apply in the third year to obtain the missing 60 ECTS.
The delicate point concerns holders of a RNCP Level 6 title. Applying for a professional license when already holding a Bac+3 amounts to aiming for a certification of the same level. Universities then examine the coherence of the professional project and the complementarity of the targeted skills.
Documents and Criteria Evaluated by the Committees
- The France Compétences sheet of the title held, detailing the acquired skill blocks and allowing the committee to measure the gaps with the reference framework of the targeted license
- Professional experience or missions carried out in work-study during the previous title, demonstrating practical application of the skills
- The project letter explaining why the license degree (and not just a title of the same level) is sought, particularly for further studies in a master’s program
Work-study significantly strengthens an application file, as the professional license has been designed with the goal of direct professional integration. Presenting a signed apprenticeship or professionalization contract with a company constitutes a concrete argument for training managers.
VAE and Professionalization Contract: Two Underestimated Paths to Obtain the License
The standard application is not the only option. Two systems allow access to a professional license by valuing an atypical path or an equivalent RNCP title.
Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE)
The VAE allows obtaining a professional license without going through a complete curriculum again. The jury is composed of half teachers-researchers and half professionals, with strict rules of independence from the candidate. The skill blocks already validated by a RNCP title can reduce the scope of the VAE, focusing the evaluation on the missing skills.
This path is particularly suitable for professionals who have worked for several years after obtaining a RNCP title and who wish to obtain the license degree to access a master’s program or a public service competition.
Professionalization Contract
Unlike the apprenticeship contract, which prepares for a national diploma or a RNCP title, the professionalization contract aims at acquiring a recognized professional qualification. It allows preparing a professional license through work-study, including for a candidate already holding a Level 6 certification. The age and status conditions differ from those of the apprenticeship, which opens access to individuals in retraining.
Check the France Compétences Sheet Before Applying
Before any steps, consulting the RNCP sheet of the targeted professional license on the France Compétences website remains a concrete step. Each sheet details the authorized access paths (initial training, work-study, VAE), prerequisites, and the composition of the certification jury.
An active RNCP title and an active professional license do not guarantee an automatic bridge between the two. The skill blocks of each certification are defined independently. Comparing block by block allows identifying the real gaps and preparing a well-argued file.
The professional license prepared through work-study remains, to date, the only Level 6 certification that combines both RNCP level, university degree, and 180 ECTS. For a holder of an equivalent RNCP title aiming for a master’s or a competition, this triple recognition makes a difference at the time of selection.