Clarification
Improves wording without changing the underlying expectation.
Guidance baseline
A clear place for
current program guidance.
This page explains how public guidance is interpreted and how future changes will be presented. It does not invent a history of changes that has not been published.
Current baseline
Use the live guidance for new preparation
Current position
The certification, criteria, evidence, badge and renewal pages together form the current public guidance baseline. Application-specific instructions agreed directly with the program also matter.
Update types
What a notice may cover
Process update
Changes a preparation, submission or review step.
Criteria update
Changes how an evidence area is described or considered.
Communication update
Changes approved wording, scope or recognition-use guidance.
Change-log structure
How future notices will be readable
| Field | Purpose | Example format |
|---|---|---|
| Published | When the notice appeared | Day month year |
| Effective | When it applies | Immediately or a stated date |
| Area | Affected page or process | Criteria, evidence, badge or renewal |
| Summary | Plain-language description | What changed and why |
| Transition | Treatment of active work | Contact route or stated arrangement |
Effective dates
Read publication and application separately
A publication date tells readers when guidance became visible. An effective date tells applicants when the change applies. If they differ, the notice should explain the transition.
Do not assume a future notice automatically changes an already agreed application step. Check the transition wording or contact the program.
Archive convention
Preserve context without confusing current guidance
1
Publish
Add a dated notice with affected area and effective date.
2
Link
Point from the notice to the current page.
3
Supersede
Mark older material clearly when replaced.
4
Retain
Keep an understandable archive where it supports interpretation.
Clarification
When the public page is not enough
Ask before acting
If an update appears to affect evidence already prepared, recognition wording or a renewal date, contact the program with the relevant page, application context and specific question.