Minimum entry requirements by occupational area, Levels 3–6, on the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.
This reference summarises TVET CDACC entry requirements per occupational area. Because TVET CDACC periodically revises curricula and entry-requirement wording, requirements should be verified with the Registrar's Office or against the specific TVET CDACC curriculum document before a formal application. Programme-specific requirements take precedence where they differ.
Social Work and Community Development
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 5
Certificate in Social Work and Community Development
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus) or equivalent, or a related Level 4 certificate. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
National Diploma in Social Work and Community Development
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Social Work and Community Development Level 5; OR an approved international qualification. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Agriculture
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Artisan Certificate in Agriculture / Agripreneurship
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Certificate in Agripreneurship
KCSE mean grade D (plain); OR Artisan Certificate (Level 3) in Agriculture/Agripreneurship. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Agriculture
KCSE mean grade D (plain); OR Level 4 certificate in Agriculture or a related field. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Agriculture / Agricultural Extension
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR a certificate in Agriculture or a related field from a recognised institution. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 4
Certificate in ICT Operations
KCSE mean grade D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in ICT Technician
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR a relevant Level 4 certificate. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in ICT Technician / Computer Science
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in ICT Technician Level 5 or a related field. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Hospitality (Food & Beverage Production and Service)
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Food Production (Culinary Arts) Technician / Food & Beverage Service
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Food and Beverage Technician — Production and Service
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR a relevant Level 4 certificate. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Food and Beverage Management (Pathway A — Production, or Pathway B — Service)
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Food & Beverage Production/Service Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Cosmetology (Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy)
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Cosmetology / Beauty Therapy
KCSE mean grade D- (minus) or equivalent; OR a relevant Level 4 certificate.
Level 6
Diploma in Cosmetology / Hairdressing Operations Management
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Cosmetology/Beauty Therapy Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Fashion Design and Garment Making
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Extended Certificate in Garment Making
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Certificate in Fashion Design and Garment Making
KCSE mean grade D (plain); OR relevant experience in tailoring/fashion accepted by some institutions. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Fashion Design
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR a relevant Level 4 certificate. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Fashion Design Management
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Fashion Design Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Plumbing
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Grade Test / Certificate in Plumbing
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Artisan Certificate in Plumbing
KCSE mean grade D (plain); OR Level 3 grade test/certificate in Plumbing. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Plumbing
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR Artisan Certificate (Level 4) in Plumbing or a related course, with relevant work experience. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Plumbing
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Plumbing Level 5 or a related field. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Building and Masonry
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Grade Test / Certificate in Masonry
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Artisan Certificate in Masonry
KCSE mean grade D (plain); OR Level 3 grade test/certificate in Masonry. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Building Technology / Masonry
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR Artisan Certificate (Level 4) in Masonry or a related course. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Building Technology
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Building Technology/Masonry Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Electrical Engineering and Related Disciplines
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Grade Test in Electrical/Electronics Technology (related trade)
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Artisan Certificate in Electrical Installation/Engineering
KCSE mean grade D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Electrical Installation/Engineering
KCSE mean grade D/D+ (per curriculum version); OR a Level 4 certificate in a related course with at least one year of continuous work experience. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Power Option) / Electrical Installation
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR a Level 5 certificate in a related course with at least one year of continuous work experience. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Christian Ministry
Levels 3–4 are not commonly structured as distinct CDACC qualifications for this trade; foundational and internship programmes are typically church-based with their own entry criteria.
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 5
Certificate in Christian Ministry
KCSE certificate or equivalent; some institutions request a recommendation letter from a church leader or faith-based organisation. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Pastoral Ministry / Christian Ministry
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Christian Ministry Level 5; OR mature-age entry (typically 22+) with relevant ministry experience. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Mass Communication and Journalism
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 4
Module Certificate in Media/Journalism-related studies
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus) with D+ (plus) in English or Kiswahili. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication / Digital Media
KCSE mean grade C- (minus) or D+ depending on institution and track; C- (minus) in English, Kiswahili and two other cluster subjects for KNEC-examined tracks. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Digital Journalism / Journalism and Mass Communication
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR equivalent qualification in a related field determined by KNQA or the relevant regulatory body.
Accounts and Finance Related Disciplines
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 4
Artisan/Certificate in Accountancy (foundation)
KCSE mean grade D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Accountancy Technician
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR a relevant Level 4 certificate. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Accountancy Technician / Accounting and Finance
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Accountancy Technician Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Horticulture and Related Disciplines
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Artisan Certificate in Horticulture
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Certificate in Horticulture / Landscaping
KCSE mean grade D (plain); OR Certificate Level 3 in Agriculture/Horticulture. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Horticulture Production
KCSE mean grade D (plain) or D+; OR a Level 4 certificate in Horticulture or a related field. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Horticulture
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR a certificate in Horticulture or a related field from a recognised institution. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Automotive Engineering, Mechanics and Related Disciplines
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Grade Test in Motor Vehicle Mechanics
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Artisan Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics
KCSE mean grade D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Automotive Engineering
KCSE mean grade D/D+; OR a Level 4 certificate in a related course. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Automotive Engineering / Automotive Technician
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR a Level 5 certificate (Automotive Engineering Technician) or its equivalent. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Nursing and Related Disciplines (Community Health pathway)
Full professional Nursing certificates and diplomas are regulated by the Nursing Council of Kenya and examined mainly through KMTC — a separate pathway from TVET CDACC with science-specific entry grades. The CDACC pathway at this level is Community Health and Health Care Assistant/Caregiving.
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 4
Certificate in Health Care Assistant / Caregiving (CDACC)
KCSE grade D- (minus) or above. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Community Health (CDACC) / Advanced Caregiver-CNA
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus) or C- depending on institution. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Community Health (CDACC)
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Community Health Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Welding and Fabrication
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Grade Test in Welding and Fabrication
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Artisan Certificate in Welding and Fabrication
KCSE mean grade D-/D (minus/plain) and above. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Welding and Fabrication
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR a Level 4 Artisan Certificate in Welding and Fabrication. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Welding and Fabrication
KCSE mean grade C- (minus); OR Certificate in Welding and Fabrication Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Carpentry and Joinery (Woodwork) and Related Disciplines
Level
Qualification
Minimum entry / application requirements
Level 3
Grade Test in Carpentry and Joinery
KCPE certificate; OR KCSE grade D-/D (plain). OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 4
Artisan Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery
KCSE mean grade D (plain) and above. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 5
Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery
KCSE mean grade D+ (plus); OR a Level 4 Artisan Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Level 6
Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery
KCSE mean grade C- (minus) and above; OR Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery Level 5. OR equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.
Application document checklist
In addition to the academic entry requirements, a complete application file typically includes: the completed application form; certified copy of National ID (or birth certificate for minors); certified copies of KCPE/KCSE result slips or certificates; certified copies of prior TVET/CDACC certificates where progressing from a lower level; passport-size photographs; proof of payment of the application fee; for Diploma programmes, evidence of arranged industrial attachment where required; and a KNQA equivalence letter for foreign or non-standard qualifications.
