What is recertification, and does my earlier band give me credit?
A credential under AIRS-J/1 is valid for two years. This section explains what a holder does to have a valid credential after that, and why the band the holder has now is not counted towards the next Assessment.
Recertification is a full new Assessment against the version of AIRS-J/1 in force at the time. The band a holder has now gives no credit towards it.
Judgment is how well a person decides once AI has given the answer. AIR APAC certifies judgment in AI-enabled work against AIRS-J/1, and a credential is valid for two years from issue (Section 18.1). The answers below cover what the Standard asks of a holder after those two years.
What is recertification?
Section 18.2 of AIRS-J/1 sets the rule: "Full reassessment against the then-current version. Prior band confers no credit, no exemption and no reduced evidence requirement."
A holder who wants a valid credential beyond its expiry date takes a full Assessment again. The same decision rules apply as for any candidate (Section 12.2).
Does my earlier band give me credit?
No. Under Section 18.2, the earlier band gives no credit, no exemption and no reduced evidence requirement.
The new Assessment is not shortened, and the earlier result does not reduce the evidence it needs. The same requirements apply whichever band the earlier credential shows.
Which version am I assessed against?
The version in force at the time of the new Assessment (Section 18.2). AIRS-J/1 v2.3 has been in force since 19 October 2026, and its text is published at airapac.org/standard/v2-3.
A credential issued under an earlier version stays valid to its expiry date and is displayed with its version designation (Section 18.3). AIR APAC publishes a plain statement of what changed between versions, so that a reader can see what an older credential means (Section 18.3).
Do I need the same amount of evidence again?
Yes. All six decision rules of Section 12.2 apply in full:
- no dimension below 2.0;
- each of the four domains (Structure, Test, Engage, Perform) at or above 2.0;
- a composite at or above 2.3;
- enough evidence on all nine dimensions: at least three independent observations per dimension, from distinct decision points (Section 8.3);
- stakes coverage across at least three distinct consequence families, at least one involving irreversible or non-financial harm (Section 6.4);
- confidence Moderate or High.
The rules are non-compensatory: strength in one domain does not offset weakness in another (Section 12.1). Failure of any one rule results in Not Certified (Section 12.2).
Can my band change?
Yes. A plain reading of Sections 12.4 and 18.2: the band is decided again from the new Assessment alone. It may be the same, higher or lower. Because all six rules apply in full, the new result may also be Not Certified.
The three bands are Certified, Certified with Merit and Certified with Distinction (Section 12.4). Every candidate receives a full report with the evidence for each observation, whether or not the candidate certifies (Section 12.5).
Does a training programme or a session count towards it?
No. A record of completion "confers nothing toward certification" (Section 20.2). A reading from practice or a training session is a development reading, and it decides nothing about a person's certification (Section 20.3).
Certification outcomes are decided by the rules in Section 12 alone, never by what a candidate or employer bought (Section 4.3). In the words of Section 20.2, "Certification needs a separate Assessment on held-back scenarios". Practice content and certifying content are kept apart (Sections 4.3 and 9.3).
What happens if I do not recertify?
The credential stays valid until its expiry date and not after it. Validity is two years from issue (Sections 18.1 and 18.3). The register records its expiry date and its status, and anyone with the credential code can check them free (Sections 14.1 to 14.3).
Does moving from Campus to Professional work the same way?
The same no-credit rule applies. Section 13.1 states: "A Campus holder reaches Professional by a full Professional Assessment; the Campus band confers no credit (Section 18.2)." The track is printed on the credential (Section 13.2).
Is a facilitator certification renewed the same way?
No. Section 20.6 says a facilitator certification "is valid for two years from issue and is renewed by a further observed session against the then-current version". A facilitator certification is not a judgment credential. AIR APAC certifies facilitators under AIRS-J/1 Section 20.6; Exeter Labs issues the licence, not the certification.
Can I appeal the result?
Yes, a certification-status decision can be appealed. A candidate may appeal it within 30 days, on the grounds listed in Section 18.6 (Section 18.5). An appeals reviewer who was not involved in the original decision reviews the appeal, and the outcome and reasoning are given in writing. Appeal is free for the first instance.
Disagreement with an anchor itself is not a ground for appeal. It is a comment on the Standard and goes to the review board (Section 18.6). The appeals route is at airapac.org/standard/appeals.
Why is it a full reassessment?
Section 18.2 states the rule and gives no reason. A plain reading: Section 7.3 says anchors describe what appears in the transcript, so a new credential is based on the transcript of a new Assessment.
What does it cost?
Fees are confirmed at registration. Verification is free.
What this does not claim
- It does not claim that an earlier band, a training session or a completion record eases the new Assessment or makes certification more likely.
- It does not claim that a credential issued after recertification means more than the person's judgment in AI-enabled work at the level certified (Section 12.6).
- It is a summary. The rules are those in AIRS-J/1 Sections 12, 13, 18 and 20.
AIR APAC publishes the standard for judgment in AI-enabled work, certifies people against it through its official instrument, and stands behind every result.