Swiss Federal Professional Examinations
Switzerland’s vocational education system includes official examinations set at national level. If you pass one of these exams, you receive a title that is recognised throughout the whole of Switzerland — not just by the school where you trained, but by the Swiss Confederation itself, through its State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SEFRI). This is what makes the title a “federal” qualification: it carries the same value and recognition everywhere in the country, and with Swiss employers generally.
Important: a federal qualification is proof of your professional skills and knowledge. It is not, by itself, a work permit or a right to live and work in Switzerland. Whether you are allowed to work in Switzerland depends on separate immigration rules, which differ depending on your nationality (EU/EFTA citizens have simplified access; citizens of other countries need a specific work permit). Every candidate — Swiss or foreign — remains responsible for sorting out their own visa and work-permit situation; passing the exam does not replace this step.
Level 1 — Federal Professional Examination (“Professional Bachelor”)
This is the first level of specialisation after basic vocational training. It lets you deepen your knowledge and skills in a specific profession. To be admitted, you generally need a Federal VET Diploma (CFC) or an equivalent qualification, plus several years of hands-on experience in that profession.
If you pass, you receive a Federal Professional Certificate (in French: brevet fédéral) — for example, “HR Specialist with Federal Professional Certificate”. This certificate is usually also the entry ticket to the next level, the higher federal professional examination.
Level 2 — Higher Federal Professional Examination (“Professional Master”)
This is a more advanced level with two goals: to certify that you have expert-level knowledge in your field, and to prepare you to take on management responsibility within a business.
If you pass, you receive a Federal Diploma — for example, “Purchasing Manager with Federal Diploma”, “Certified Tax Expert”, or “Master Painter”. When a profession offers both levels, the higher federal professional examination always represents the more advanced qualification.
Who Sets the Exam?
Each exam is designed and run by a professional organisation from that field (in German: Organisation der Arbeitswelt), not by a school. This is intentional: it keeps the exam closely tied to what the profession actually needs on the job market, rather than to any one training provider’s curriculum.
This organisation writes the official exam regulation, which sets out:
- Admission — who is allowed to take the exam, and what prior qualifications and professional experience are required.
- Job profile — the professional role the qualification describes, and the responsibilities that come with it.
- Assessed competences — which skills and areas of knowledge are tested.
- Exam format — how the examination is organised and conducted.
- Protected title — the official designation you are entitled to use once you pass.
SIIL’s Accreditation
SIIL is registered as an official preparatory course provider with SEFRI, the Swiss Confederation body responsible for federal examinations. For IT-related qualifications specifically, SIIL is also registered as a preparatory course provider with ICT-Formation professionnelle Suisse, the professional organisation responsible for ICT exams.
Information Technology
