Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority

20/10/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

The BQPCA Online System is fully operational with effect from 19 October 2026, providing online access to professional registration and renewal, CPD, recognition of qualifications, and institutional accreditation services.

🌐 https://bqpca.systems.gov.bt

17/10/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐕𝐄𝐓 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

Led by its Director, Dr Ugyen Tshewang, the Bhutan Qualifications and Professional Certification Authority (BQPCA) engaged healthcare and engineering students, faculty members, private TVET providers and driving training institutes in Phuentsholing on 16–17 October 2026 to strengthen professional standards, enhance training quality and promote regulatory awareness.

Through its Medical and Health Professionals Council (MHPC), Engineering Professionals Council (EPC) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Quality Council (TVET-QC), BQPCA reaffirmed its commitment to quality assurance, professional accountability and constructive stakeholder collaboration.

1. Advancing Healthcare and Engineering Standards

On 16 October, BQPCA and MHPC officials visited Arura Academy of Health Sciences, engaging nursing students and faculty members on professional registration, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), ethics, medico-legal responsibilities and patient safety. Participants were briefed on the National Competency Assessment for Medical and Health Professionals, targeted for July 2027, and progress on its assessment framework, guidelines and questions.

At the College of Science and Technology (CST), the Director and EPC officials engaged students and faculty members on engineering registration, certification, CPD, accreditation and international recognition.

Discussions covered registration across more than 20 engineering and built-environment disciplines, the requirement of 90 CPD credits per three-year renewal cycle, and preparations for a national entry-to-practice assessment after June 2027.

2. Supporting Private TVET Development and Quality

Later, BQPCA met KC Training Institute, Computer and Management Institute, and Kuenphen Institute of Management and Technology to discuss programme expansion and compliance.

The Director highlighted the private sector’s contribution to skills development and welcomed a proposed Diploma in Accountancy, subject to applicable requirements.

Discussions covered outsourced training, GST, registration and accreditation. BQPCA will follow up on the pending accreditation application, while tax matters were referred to relevant authorities. The institute concerned was directed to rectify inadequate ventilation identified during inspections within the agreed period.

3. Strengthening Driving Training and Assessment

On 17 October, BQPCA consulted Sacho DTI, Sachoga DTI, Jigyang DTI and TD DTI on driving-test arrangements and retesting requirements, including repeating all three components—Theory, Box Test and Highway Test—even when only one is failed. BQPCA will raise concerns with relevant agencies and encouraged international benchmarking. The institutes were instructed to submit their Code of Conduct for Trainers and Trainees’ Responsibilities to TVET-QC for standardisation, promoting professional conduct and accountability.

These engagements reaffirm BQPCA’s commitment to responsive regulation, stakeholder collaboration and continuous improvement, strengthening professional competence, public safety and the quality and credibility of Bhutan’s education, training and certification systems.

15/10/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐕𝐄𝐓 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The Director and officials of the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) visited four private Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes in Gelephu on 14-15 October including Kunjung Institute of Technology and Innovation (KITI), Kuendrup Institute of Innovation Technology (KIIT), Rabzang Driving Training Institute, and USD Driving Training Institute.

The visits provided an opportunity to engage with institute management, staff, and trainers; understand ongoing training programmes; and discuss future plans, institutional challenges, and opportunities for growth. The engagements reaffirmed the importance of close collaboration between BQPCA and private TVET providers in strengthening the quality, relevance, and recognition of vocational qualifications in Bhutan.

During the interactions, Dr Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, highlighted the vital role of private TVET institutes in developing a competent workforce, expanding employment opportunities, and contributing to national economic growth. He also emphasised the importance of preparing a skilled workforce to support the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), encouraging the institutes to anticipate emerging skills requirements and adopt innovative, forward-looking approaches to training.

The institutes were encouraged to explore opportunities to introduce higher-level programmes, establish partnerships with recognised international institutions, and benchmark their programmes against relevant international standards. Strengthening institutional capacity, recruiting competent trainers, and continuously improving training quality and relevance were underscored as essential to sustainable institutional development.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of enhancing the recognition and value of vocational qualifications and ensuring that graduates possess the practical skills, professional competencies, and attitudes required by industry and society. For driving institutes, particular emphasis was placed on professionalism, discipline, road safety, and responsible driving behaviour to prepare competent and responsible drivers.

BQPCA reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with private TVET providers to support institutional development, encourage innovation, expand training opportunities, and promote continuous quality improvement in accordance with applicable regulatory and quality assurance requirements.

The visits reflect BQPCA’s continued efforts to strengthen partnerships with TVET providers and build a quality-assured, responsive, and skilled workforce in support of Bhutan’s development priorities, including the emerging opportunities associated with Gelephu Mindfulness City.

03/10/2026

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐄-𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 དམ་ཚིག (𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠) 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭-𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

The Engineering Professionals Council (EPC), under the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA), launched its E-Learning Course on དམ་ཚིག (Damtshig) in Engineering and Built-Environment Practices yesterday. The initiative represents an important step towards strengthening ethical conduct, professional responsibility and integrity alongside technical competence among engineering and built-environment professionals in Bhutan.

The course has been developed in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and is designed to provide professionals with accessible, practical and context-specific learning on ethical conduct, professional responsibilities and integrity in the engineering and built-environment sector. The course consists of four modules covering key areas including professional integrity, duties and responsibilities, public trust and corruption-free professional services, and ethical decision-making in professional practice.

The course places particular emphasis on དམ་ཚིག (Damtshig), understood in this context as a commitment to uphold integrity, responsibility and ethical conduct in professional practice. For engineering professionals, this commitment is especially important given the direct impact of engineering and built-environment decisions on public safety, quality, the environment and the use of public resources. By connecting professional ethics with a Bhutanese value, the course seeks to encourage professionals to view ethical practice not only as a regulatory obligation, but also as a personal and professional commitment to society.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, commended the EPC for this timely and meaningful initiative and highlighted the importance of embedding ethical values alongside technical competence in professional practice. He noted that engineering professionals are entrusted with responsibilities that have a direct bearing on public safety, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and public resources, making integrity and accountability fundamental to the profession.

The e-learning course also supports the EPC's broader efforts to promote continuous professional development and digital access to professional learning. Successful completion of the course will form part of the professional requirements for relevant EPC registration and certification processes and will contribute towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

The launch is also aligned with BQPCA's ongoing digital transformation efforts to make regulatory and professional services more accessible, efficient and responsive. Through the e-learning platform, engineering and built-environment professionals across the country will be able to access the course without the need for physical attendance, supporting wider participation and continuous learning.

The EPC will begin its registration drive from October 13, providing professionals with an opportunity to engage with the Council's registration and certification processes and strengthen their professional standing.

The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Thimphu Thromde, ACC and officials from the Ministry, reflecting the collaborative effort to strengthen professional ethics, accountability and quality within Bhutan's engineering and built-environment sector.

The EPC encourages all relevant engineering and built-environment professionals to make use of the e-learning course and contribute towards building a professional culture grounded in དམ་ཚིག, integrity, competence and responsibility.

30/09/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) conducted an interactive orientation session with approximately 450 pre-service teacher trainees and faculty members of the Samtse College of Education.

The session introduced trainees to the Teaching Professional Council (TPC), established under the Civil Service Reform Act 2022, and its role in strengthening the teaching profession through professional standards, registration, certification, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), professional conduct and ethics, and career progression.

A key focus of the session was the need for a paradigm shift from simply “getting a teaching job” to “becoming a teaching professional.” Participants were encouraged to view teaching not merely as employment, but as a profession that requires demonstrated competence, ethical conduct, accountability, and continuous professional growth throughout one’s career.

The presentation also highlighted the Bhutan Professional Standards for Teachers (BPST) and the emerging professional framework being developed by the TPC. Trainees were guided on how their academic preparation, teaching practicum, professional engagement, and conduct contribute to developing the knowledge, skills, values, and professional identity expected of a teaching professional.

One of the key questions raised during the session was why an additional professional assessment may be required after completing four years of teacher education and training.

Responding to the query, Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, explained that graduation from a teacher education institution provides an academic qualification, while professional registration and certification are intended to ensure that individuals meet the standards expected of the teaching profession before being recognised as certified and registered teachers.

He noted that academic qualifications prepare individuals for entry into the profession, while professional registration, certification, and CPD support professional accountability, competency, and lifelong learning. Similar professional regulatory frameworks are widely adopted internationally to strengthen professional standards and public confidence in the profession.

The session was facilitated by Dr. Ugyen Tshewang and Mr. Tashi Dendup, Deputy Chief Programme Officer of the Teaching Professional Council, who actively engaged with the trainees, responded to questions, and clarified various aspects of professional registration, certification, professional standards, and career progression.

The interactive session provided an important platform for trainees to better understand the connection between pre-service preparation, professional registration, certification, continuous professional development, and long-term professional growth.

BQPCA extends its appreciation to the management, faculty members, student leaders, and trainees of the Samtse College of Education for their active participation and engagement. Through such interactions, BQPCA seeks to build early awareness of professional expectations and encourage future teachers to begin developing their professional identity during pre-service education, thereby strengthening the foundation for a competent, ethical, and continuously growing teaching profession in Bhutan.

24/09/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

BQPCA is transitioning to a unified BQPCA Online System for the registration and professional services of Engineering & Built-Environment and Medical & Health Professionals.

The existing BCTA and MHPC systems will be discontinued from 30 September 2026, with the BQPCA Online System becoming operational from 13 October 2026. Existing professionals will receive login credentials via their registered email.

Further guidelines and user information will be shared by the first week of October.

11/09/2026

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA), through its Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC), today awarded Institutional Accreditation Certificates to four higher education institutions, marking an important milestone in strengthening the quality, credibility, and continuous improvement of Bhutan’s higher education system.

Institutional Accreditation serves as a trusted benchmark of quality in higher education. It assures students, parents, employers, and society that institutions are meeting nationally established standards while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. It strengthens institutional credibility, enhances public confidence, promotes national and international recognition, and ultimately contributes to the development of a competent, skilled, and future-ready workforce for the nation.

The four institutions awarded Institutional Accreditation are:

𝟏. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 (𝐈𝐒𝐌) – 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐁
𝟐. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐏𝐂𝐄) – 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐀
𝟑. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 (𝐅𝐍𝐏𝐇),𝐊𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐒𝐁 – 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐀+
𝟒. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 (𝐅𝐨𝐓𝐌), 𝐊𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐒𝐁 – 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐀+

The four institutions recognised today also hold special significance for the country.

The Faculty of Nursing and Public Health and the Faculty of Traditional Medicine prepare professionals whose knowledge, skills, and values directly contribute to the health and well-being of our people.

The Paro College of Education prepares teachers who will shape the minds, character, and future of generations of Bhutanese children.

The Institute of Science of Mind contributes to the diversity and development of Bhutan’s higher education landscape through its distinctive focus on knowledge, values, culture, and human development.

Therefore, when we talk about quality in these institutions, we are not talking about quality for its own sake. We are talking about the quality of people who will serve our country.

The accreditation outcomes reflect each institution’s demonstrated compliance with national accreditation standards and its commitment to quality education and positive student outcomes. The grades represent each institution’s level of achievement against these standards and provide an important foundation for continued institutional development and improvement.

Speaking at the certificate award ceremony, Dr Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, stated:
“The successful accreditation of these four higher education institutions represents far more than the award of grades and certificates. It reflects a shared commitment to quality, accountability, institutional excellence, and continuous improvement.
Most importantly, it provides assurance to students, parents, employers, and society that our institutions are meeting nationally established standards while preparing graduates who can contribute meaningfully to Bhutan’s development.”

The Director further emphasised that Institutional Accreditation should not be viewed as an end in itself, but as a catalyst for institutional reflection, innovation, continuous improvement, and the pursuit of higher standards.

The HEQC congratulates all four institutions and commends the accreditation assessors, reviewers, institutional leaders, faculty members, administrative staff, and all stakeholders whose dedication and collective efforts contributed to this important achievement.

BQPCA remains committed to strengthening Bhutan’s quality assurance system and working in partnership with higher education institutions to promote continuous improvement, enhance institutional effectiveness, and strengthen the quality, relevance, and recognition of Bhutanese higher education.

03/09/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) launched its Integrated Digital Regulatory System, marking a significant step towards strengthening the quality, integrity and efficiency of qualifications and professional regulation in Bhutan.

The platform was jointly developed with DrukSmart and the Government Technology (GovTech) Agency, to transform regulatory services from fragmented and largely manual processes into a more connected, integrated and digitally enabled ecosystem.

The new system brings together key regulatory functions, including professional registration, accreditation, quality assurance, certification, monitoring and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on a single digital platform. This is expected to make regulatory services faster, simpler and more accessible for individuals and institutions.

A key feature of the system is its digital linkage with relevant government agencies, including the Royal Civil Service Commission, Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority, Department of Civil Registration and Census, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment.

Through these linkages, information can, where appropriate, be securely verified and shared across government agencies, reducing the need for citizens and institutions to repeatedly submit information already held by the government. The integrated approach is expected to reduce duplication, improve data accuracy, shorten processing times and lessen the administrative burden on citizens and institutions.

The event was graced by the Hon’ble Education Secretary and attended by the Director of the Department of Digital Transformation, Director of BQPCA, and officials from the Ministry, GovTech Agency and DrukSmart.

02/09/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌

A new integrated digital regulatory system has been launched by BQPCA to reduce paperwork and make services faster and easier.

By connecting with other government databases, the system helps reduce repeated form filling and document submissions for professionals and institutions.

Read more:

How many times have you filled in the same personal details or submitted the same documents while applying for different government services? A new

12/08/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Coinciding with today’s auspicious day on 12 August 2026, the Bhutan Qualifications and Professional Certification Authority (BQPCA) held a special gathering to welcome four new employees and congratulate eight employees on their promotion to the next higher level.

The programme commenced with Tashi Tsigpa and Zhabten, offering prayers for His Majesty’s long life, good health and strength, and for the continued peace and prosperity of the nation and BQPCA in serving the Tsa-Wa-Sum.

In his opening remarks, Dr Ugyen Tshewang, Director, BQPCA, warmly welcomed the new employees and congratulated the promoted employees. He highlighted that these milestones bring new opportunities and responsibilities, and encouraged all staff to uphold high motivation, professionalism and unwavering commitment in fulfilling BQPCA’s important national mandate.

He also emphasised the importance of working together towards Bhutan’s “North Star”-transforming the nation into a developed country through dedicated and meaningful public service.
The new and promoted employees were given an opportunity to share their reflections and aspirations, followed by the Director’s offering of Tashi Khadar, symbolising warm welcome, goodwill and best wishes for their success and wellbeing.

BQPCA warmly welcomed its new colleagues and congratulated all promoted employees, wishing them continued professional growth, fulfilment and success in serving the nation.