Consultant Verification Scheme Terms

1) Definitions

Applicant – An individual consultant or consulting firm applying for verification.

Badge – The “CertBetter Verified” visual mark and related digital indicators provided for display by Verified Consultants.

Decision – The outcome following assessment: Approved, Request for Information (RFI), Deferred, or Declined.

Evidence – Documents, data, references, and other materials submitted by the Applicant or obtained by CertBetter to assess eligibility and ongoing compliance.

Material Change – Any change relevant to verification status (e.g., legal/trading name, ownership, insurance, public claims/standards).

Severe Breach – As described in Section 10.3.

Verification – CertBetter’s point-in-time documentary review described in these Scheme Terms.

2) Nature & Scope of Verification

Point-in-time & documentary. Verification is a documentary review and risk-based check conducted at a point in time. It confirms elements of business legitimacy, activity, and public transparency only.

No technical endorsement. Verification does not assess technical competence, methodology, audit accuracy, legal compliance of services rendered, or outcomes; it is not a guarantee of performance or certification success.

Independence & impartiality. CertBetter maintains controls to manage conflicts and perform assessments impartially.

Reliance on sources. CertBetter may rely on third-party databases, public registries, references, and web sources and is not responsible for inaccuracies in those sources.

3) Eligibility & Criteria (Published Elsewhere)

External criteria. Eligibility requirements, documentary thresholds, and category-specific criteria are published on our General Verification Process page and may be updated from time to time. These include, without limitation, valid business registration, ISO auditor/lead auditor training certificates for each claimed standard, appropriate insurance, and public-facing transparency.

Binding effect. By applying, you agree that the published criteria at the time of assessment apply to your application and ongoing status.

4) Application, Fees (Included), and Timeframes

Submission. Applications must be submitted through the Platform with complete and accurate information.

Fees Included in Membership. For Applicants with an active Professional or Premium Provider membership, all verification activities (including initial assessment, RFIs, discretionary re-reviews, annual renewal reviews, and one appeal per decision) are included at no additional charge. No separate verification fees apply. CertBetter may reasonably schedule multiple discretionary re-review requests and may limit non-urgent, member-initiated re-reviews to three (3) per rolling 12-month period, excluding re-reviews initiated by CertBetter for compliance or complaints.

No guaranteed timeframe. CertBetter will act reasonably and efficiently, but does not guarantee a decision by a particular date. Complex or higher-risk cases may take longer.

Accuracy. Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information may lead to refusal, suspension, or revocation.

5) Evidence, Authority, and Checks

Evidence provision. Applicants must provide Evidence reasonably requested by CertBetter and warrant they have authority to provide it.

Consent to checks. Applicants consent to proportionate checks, which may include: identity and business registration validation; insurance status confirmation; review of websites and social profiles; adverse media and sanctions/PEP screening; and contacting references supplied by the Applicant.

Third-party confirmations. CertBetter may seek confirmations from insurers, registries, or other sources to verify Evidence.

RFIs. CertBetter may issue a Request for Information (RFI). Failure to respond within the timeframe stated may result in deferral, suspension, or refusal.

6) Assessment & Decisions (Badge & Certificate)

Outcomes. CertBetter will issue one of: Approved, RFI, Deferred, or Declined. Reasons may be provided at CertBetter’s discretion (where lawful and appropriate).

Badge activation. On approval and confirmation of an active Professional or Premium membership, the Badge is activated for the Applicant’s profile.

Certificate of Verification. CertBetter may issue a digital Certificate of Verification denoting the date of approval and verification scope. CertBetter may withdraw or mark the certificate as suspended, revoked, or lapsed in line with these Scheme Terms.

7) Licence to Use the Badge

Grant. CertBetter grants a limited, non-exclusive, revocable, non-transferable licence to use the Badge solely to denote Verified Consultant status while active and only for the approved legal entity and verified scope.

Brand rules. Badge use must comply with brand guidelines and must not be altered, imply accreditation by a certification body, be placed on audit certificates or certification documents, or be used to imply technical endorsement or guaranteed outcomes.

Paid advertisements & off-platform references. The Badge, Certificate, or any “CertBetter Verified” claim must not be used in paid advertisements in a manner that implies CertBetter endorsement or guarantees outcomes. Any off-platform reference to “CertBetter Verified” must link to your live CertBetter profile and reflect current status.

Takedown. Upon suspension, revocation, lapse, or written request by CertBetter, the Badge must be removed within 48 hours from websites, proposals, social media, and other materials within your control.

Certificates. Where a Certificate of Verification has been issued, any public display of the certificate must cease upon suspension, revocation, or lapse, and any hosted copies must be removed within 48 hours.

8) Ongoing Obligations (Scope Lock)

Accuracy & updates. Verified Consultants must keep profile information accurate and notify CertBetter of any Material Change within 14 days (including changes to legal/trading name, ownership, insurance, or public claims).

Scope lock & re-verification. Upon approval, the verified scope (claimed standards and service categories) is locked. Any addition or material change to claimed standards or services requires re-verification before being presented as verified.

Firm-level scope mapping. For firms, at least one currently engaged consultant must hold auditor/lead auditor training for each claimed standard. If that consultant ceases engagement, you must notify CertBetter within 14 days; CertBetter may reduce scope, suspend, or require re-verification.

Document currency. Required documents (including insurance certificates and, where applicable, ISO training certificates corresponding to the verified scope) must remain current.

Conflicts. You must disclose roles or commercial arrangements that could reasonably create a conflict (including with certification bodies, resellers, or vendors) and keep such disclosures current. Marketing must not imply CB accreditation or guaranteed outcomes.

9) Monitoring, Complaints, and Investigations

Monitoring. CertBetter may conduct random or risk-triggered checks of insurance, online representations, and other compliance matters.

Complaints. Complaints may be assessed under the integrated Reviews & Defamation and IP Takedown processes in the TOS. CertBetter may request Evidence and may remove or hide content while assessing.

Confidentiality. CertBetter may keep investigative materials confidential where appropriate and lawful.

10) Suspension and Revocation

Grounds. Grounds include: (a) criteria no longer met; (b) Evidence not provided or appears unreliable; (c) Material Change not disclosed within 14 days; (d) misleading or deceptive conduct; (e) breach of these Scheme Terms or the TOS; (f) insurance expiry during the term without prompt replacement Evidence; (g) scope claims presented without re-verification; or (h) business registration lapse or invalid trading status.

Cure period (remediable breaches). For remediable breaches, CertBetter may give 14 days to cure.

Severe Breach (immediate action). Severe Breach includes: fraud or falsified documents; persistent fake or conflicted reviews; sanctions/export control violations; security abuse; refusal to remove Badge/certificate post-revocation; using certification body logos deceptively; or representing unverified standards as verified.

Insurance lapse (automatic suspension). If required insurance lapses, verification is automatically suspended until current Evidence is provided. CertBetter may revoke if proof is not provided within a reasonable period.

Visibility during suspension. During suspension, CertBetter may hide or de-rank your Verified status and related placements.

11) Appeals

You may submit one appeal per decision within 30 days of notification, stating grounds (material error, new Evidence, or disproportionality). Appeals are reviewed by a senior reviewer not involved in the original Decision. CertBetter may uphold, modify, or overturn the outcome. Appeal decisions are final.

12) Re-application & Reinstatement

Declined. Re-apply after addressing reasons for decline; CertBetter may set a waiting period.

Suspended/Revoked. CertBetter may require remediation Evidence and may set a minimum waiting period prior to re-application.

Fees. No separate re-review or reinstatement fees apply while a Professional or Premium membership is active. If membership has lapsed, verification will be reassessed upon membership reactivation at no extra charge, subject to current Evidence.

13) Term, Renewal, and Lapse

Term. Verification is valid for 12 months from approval unless suspended or revoked earlier.

Renewal. Renewal reviews may include insurance currency, registration status, online presence, complaint history, and any changes to training certificates relevant to the verified scope.

Membership dependency. Verification status is conditional on maintaining an active Professional or Premium membership. If membership expires or is cancelled, verification lapses automatically and the Badge and Certificate must be removed within 48 hours unless and until membership is reactivated and verification is reconfirmed.

14) Warranties and Applicant Declarations

By applying, you warrant and declare that: (a) information and Evidence supplied are true, accurate, and complete; (b) you have authority to bind the business; (c) you hold all licences and insurances required by law and industry practice; (d) you will not misrepresent accreditation, endorsements, or outcomes; (e) you will comply with applicable laws, the TOS, and these Scheme Terms; and (f) you have authority to share third-party contact details and have provided any required notices/consents.

15) Publicity and Disclosure

CertBetter may list Verified Consultants, display the date of verification, and indicate current status (active/suspended/revoked/lapsed). CertBetter may use your business name and logo to identify Verified status in directories and Platform promotions; you may opt out by written notice (opt-out may limit promotional features).

16) Privacy and Data

CertBetter processes personal and business information to assess eligibility and maintain verification. Processing is governed by the TOS, Privacy Policy, and—where CertBetter acts as processor—the Data Processing Terms embedded in the TOS. Applicants consent to proportionate verification checks (including contacting references and running sanctions/adverse media screening) and to data retention consistent with legal obligations and fraud prevention. Security testing of the Platform without prior written permission is prohibited.

17) Disclaimers, Liability, and Release

No guarantee. Verification may improve visibility, but CertBetter does not guarantee leads, rankings, engagements, or outcomes.

Limitations. To the maximum extent permitted by law, CertBetter excludes liability for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive losses. Nothing in these Scheme Terms excludes rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law (including the Australian Consumer Law).

Release between users. Engagement decisions are between Users; you release CertBetter from claims arising out of disputes between Users.

18) Sanctions, Export Controls, and Anti-Bribery

Applicants warrant they are not subject to sanctions and will not use the Platform or Badge in violation of sanctions or export control laws. Applicants must comply with applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in all activities connected with the Platform.

19) Changes to this Scheme

CertBetter may update these Scheme Terms and the verification criteria. For material changes, we will provide at least 14 days’ notice via email or in-product notice where practicable. If you object, you may withdraw your application or request removal of Verified status; continued use of the Badge after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

20) Termination and Survival

CertBetter may terminate verification rights upon revocation or termination under the TOS. Sections 2, 5–8, 10–12, 14–18, and 20–21 survive revocation, lapse, or termination.

21) General (Boilerplate)

No agency. Verification does not create a partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship.

Assignment. CertBetter may assign these Scheme Terms; you may not assign without CertBetter’s consent.

Severability & waiver. If a clause is invalid, the remainder remains enforceable. Failure to enforce is not a waiver.

Governing law & disputes. These Scheme Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Disputes are handled under the TOS dispute process (negotiation → mediation → arbitration/court).

Language. These Scheme Terms are in English, which governs in case of translation conflict.