Regulatory framework using ELPAC and running a language test centre
ELPAC is an assessment instrument. Delivering language proficiency assessments for licensing purposes additionally requires an organisation that is established, managed and overseen in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, the applicable EASA licensing rules or national regulations. This page explains where the two responsibilities meet, and where they do not.
Scope of this page
This page is provided for information to organisations considering the use of ELPAC. It is not a regulatory text and does not replace, interpret or supplement the applicable ICAO provisions, European Union regulations or national rules. The requirements applicable to a given organisation shall be established with the national competent authority of the State concerned.
Two distinct responsibilities
ELPAC — the test instrument
ELPAC is developed and maintained by EUROCONTROL with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). It provides the test content, the delivery platform, the assessment scheme and the examiner accreditation, with assessment criteria aligned with the ICAO language proficiency rating scale and holistic descriptors.
EUROCONTROL does not administer tests, does not employ interlocutors or raters at test centres, does not issue licence endorsements and does not provide language training.
The language test centre or assessment body
The organisation that administers the test is responsible for its own organisational arrangements: management and accountability, personnel, facilities, candidate identification, test security, record keeping and retention, score reporting, appeals and quality assurance.
These arrangements shall be established as prescribed by the applicable ICAO SARPs, EASA rules or national regulations, and are subject to the oversight of the national competent authority.
Important. Signing the ELPAC Licence Agreement makes an organisation an ELPAC user organisation. It does not, in itself, constitute approval, recognition or certification as a language test centre or Language Assessment Body. Where such approval or recognition is required, it shall be obtained from the national competent authority.
Regulatory context
The framework applicable to a language proficiency assessment depends on the licence concerned and on the State in which the assessment is conducted. The following summary is indicative only.
ICAO — Standards and Recommended Practices
The language proficiency requirements are established in Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing, with related provisions in Annex 6 and Annex 11 and in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services. Implementation guidance is provided in Doc 9835, Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements, and in Doc 10197, Manual on Aeronautical English Language Test Service. Responsibility for establishing, approving and overseeing language testing arrangements rests with the State.
EASA — flight crew licensing
For flight crew, the language proficiency endorsement is entered in the licence in accordance with the applicable Part-FCL requirements. The assessment is conducted by a Language Assessment Body (also referred to as a language testing body) that is approved, accepted or recognised by the competent authority, in accordance with the applicable rules and the associated Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material.
EASA — air traffic controller licensing
For air traffic controllers, language proficiency is assessed in accordance with the applicable air traffic controller licensing regulation. The assessment is conducted by a Language Assessment Body (language testing body) assessed, approved or recognised by the national competent authority, which exercises continuing oversight of that body.
The applicable requirements, including the designation and approval of Language Assessment Bodies, shall be confirmed with the national competent authority. National rules may impose additional or more stringent requirements.
Division of responsibilities
| Area | EUROCONTROL (test instrument developer) | ELPAC test centre / Language Assessment Body | National competent authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test content and construct | Develops and maintains the item bank, test forms and task design. | Uses the test as issued; does not modify content. | May verify that the instrument used meets the applicable requirements. |
| Delivery platform | Provides and maintains the ELPAC test platform (operated with ENOVATE). | Provides compliant facilities, workstations, audio equipment and connectivity. | May inspect facilities as part of oversight. |
| Assessment criteria and scoring | Issues the ELPAC Assessment Scheme aligned with the ICAO rating scale criteria and holistic descriptors. | Applies the Assessment Scheme without deviation. | Verifies that assessment outcomes are used correctly for licensing purposes. |
| Examiner accreditation | Delivers ELPAC examiner accreditation (ACR) and refresher (REF) training and maintains accreditation records. | Nominates candidates, ensures examiners remain accredited and current. | May set additional currency requirements (for example annual refresher training). |
| Test administration and invigilation | Not applicable — EUROCONTROL does not administer tests. | Schedules and administers sessions in accordance with the ELPAC Handbook and local procedures. | Oversees administration practice. |
| Candidate identification | Not applicable. | Verifies candidate identity before the test in accordance with local requirements. | Prescribes acceptable means of identification where applicable. |
| Test security on site | Issues the ELPAC Security Policy and platform safeguards. | Implements local security measures and reports incidents. | Audits security arrangements. |
| Records and retention | Keeps candidate records, including Paper 2 audio recordings and assessment scores, in the ELPAC test application database and defines the retention framework in the ELPAC documentation. | Accesses candidate records through the ELPAC test system for local administration, appeals and oversight; may keep additional local copies where required. | Prescribes national data-protection and record-keeping requirements that the ELPAC framework must meet. |
| Score reporting | Not applicable. | The test administrator reports results to the candidate and, where applicable, to the licensing authority. | Receives results and endorses the licence. |
| Appeals | Suggests an appeal process in the ELPAC Handbook. | Operates an appeal process; where the competent authority prescribes one, that process takes precedence. | Prescribes and approves the appeal process where applicable. |
| Approval and oversight | Grants the ELPAC Licence Agreement (a contractual arrangement, not a regulatory approval). | Holds and maintains any approval or recognition required by national law. | Approves, recognises and oversees the language test centre or Language Assessment Body. |
Establishing a language test centre using ELPAC
- 1Confirm the regulatory basis
Establish with the national competent authority which rules apply to the licences concerned, and whether approval, recognition or notification as a language test centre or Language Assessment Body is required.
- 2Obtain the required approval or recognition
Where required, apply to the competent authority and demonstrate compliance with the organisational, personnel, facility, security, record keeping and quality assurance requirements prescribed.
- 3Sign the ELPAC Licence Agreement
Conclude the ELPAC Licence Agreement with EUROCONTROL and designate one or more ELPAC test administrators.
- 4Train and accredit personnel
Nominate Operational Experts and English Language Experts for ELPAC examiner accreditation and maintain currency through refresher training.
- 5Implement local procedures
Establish procedures for scheduling, candidate identification, invigilation, security, records and retention, score reporting and appeals, consistent with the ELPAC Handbook, the ELPAC Security Policy and national requirements.
- 6Maintain compliance
Keep records available for oversight, report security incidents, and ensure that language testing remains clearly separated from any language training provided by the organisation.
Continue reading
Practical steps, roles and technical setup for adopting ELPAC in your organisation.
Handbook, Assessment Scheme and the ELPAC Licence Agreement template.
Platform, process and data security requirements applying to test centres.
ELPAC responses to the Doc 9835 test evaluation checklist.
Status of ELPAC under the ICAO Aviation English Language Test Service.
Discuss the use of ELPAC in your organisation with EUROCONTROL.