---
title: "Create a certification path"
slug: "creating-paths-requirements-tab"
tags: ["certification paths", "Recertification Options", "Course Sets"]
updated: 2026-10-28T09:39:36Z
published: 2026-10-28T09:39:36Z
canonical: "totara.help/creating-paths-requirements-tab"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a certification path

Paths define the possible routes a learner can take through a certification. Each path represents a complete learning journey, outlining the sequence of course sets and the rules that determine progression, expiry, and recertification.

Each path can have its own validity period (**Recertification frequency**), and recertification options, allowing flexible management of how learning is maintained over time.

From the **Requirements** section, you can view existing paths, create new ones, and configure how learners move between them during their [multi-year recertification sequences](/totara-20/docs/multi-year-re-certification-sequences). The visual layout helps you understand how each path connects, making it easier to design and manage complex certification structures.

## Create a path

To create the first path and add course content, follow these steps:

1. Click on the default path (**Learning path**).

![Cursor hovering over first path ready to be clicked to edit](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-OFJFDU6L.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)
2. On the next page (path details page) click the three dots (![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-GMXN13NI.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)) on the right of the path details page and select **Edit path details**.

![Learning path page showing certification periods and recertification settings with path actions menu.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-CBMN84AV.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)
3. Enter a name for the path under **Path name**.
4. Optionally you can add a **Path description**, which can include information about the courses within the path.
5. Under **Certification periods**, set the interval between a learner's due date and their next recertification under **Recertification frequency**. This can be set in day(s), week(s), month(s) and year(s).
6. With **Recertification window**, set the time allowed to complete a recertification before the previous certification expires.
7. [**Minimum certification interval**](/totara-20/docs/fixed-expiry-date-minimal-interval) can be selected if you have chosen [**Fixed date**](/totara-20/docs/fixed-expiry-date-minimal-interval) as your recertification option. The **Minimal certification interval** setting guarantees that completing a certification always gives learners a fair amount of time certified before they need to recertify. If a learner completes their certification close to the expiry date, the system will push the expiry forward so the learner does not end up with an unreasonably short period of being certified.

As an example, a certification might be valid for one year, meaning learners must recertify annually to maintain their certified status.

The **Recertification frequency** determines how often the certification renews — in this case, every year. The **Recertification window** defines how long before the certification expires a learner can begin recertifying. If the window is set to one month, learners can start their recertification one month before their current certification period ends.

![Certification periods section displaying fields for recertification frequency and recertification window.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-C2WWV6Z7.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)

1. Once this is completed, click **Save**.

> [!WARNING]
> Note: It is recommend adding course content to all certification paths as paths without content, or paths containing course sets with courses where [**All courses are optional**](/totara-20/docs/program-course-set-settings-1-1) is selected, it may lead to unintended learner outcomes.

### Adding course sets

Next is to add course sets and courses via the **Requirements** page:

1. Click **Add course set**.
2. Complete the [course set settings](/totara-20/docs/certification-course-set-settings) as required.
3. Click the plus icon (![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1YC73BMU.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)) to add courses.
4. Use the **Browse all** tab to find the courses you wish to add to the course set. You can use the search and filter options to narrow down the courses displayed. Tick the checkbox for each course you wish to add, then click **Add**. You can review which courses you have already selected on the **Selected** tab.
5. When you've finished configuring the course set, click **Save**.

To add other sets of courses to your course sets, click **Add course set** below the current course set(s) then repeat steps 2 - 5 as above.

> [!WARNING]
> Note: We recommend that you do not use courses in your **certification** **Course sets** where those courses have completion criteria based on [**Completion of other courses**](/totara-20/docs/course-completion-settings). When the recertification window opens, only courses in the certification are reset. The other course would remain complete, so the certification course can be marked complete again straight away using the original completion date. This can cause repeated recertification, incorrect certification dates and a large build-up of completion records.
> 
> If learners need to complete the other course again, add it to the certification’s course set instead.

### Logic between course sets

If you have more than one course set you can define the logic between each course set the learner follows within that path.

![Course sets page showing Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification sets with required courses and logic between the sets as Then.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1WBDVKHR.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)

You can select the logic between each course set including:

| Logic | Description | Example (based on above image) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Then | The learner needs to complete the course set above the logic setting before being able to complete the course set below the logic setting. | The learner must complete the courses in the **LMA Award initial certification Stage 1** set, then they can complete the next set **LMA Award initial certification Stage 2**. |
| Or | The learner can complete either of the course sets. | The learner can complete either **LMA Award initial certification Stage 1** or **LMA Award initial certification Stage 2** as part of this course path. |
| And | The learner needs to complete the courses in both course sets, but can do so in any order. | - |

> [!NOTE]
> Note that you can set different logic types between course sets with three or more course sets. For example, a learner needs to complete course set 1 and course set 2, but can do so in any order, so use **And** between course set 1 and 2. Once course set 1 and course set 2 are complete they must complete course set 3, so set the logic between course set 2 and course set 3 as **Then**.

You can edit a **Course set** by clicking the three dots (![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-GMXN13NI.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)) and selecting **Edit**. Make the required changes and select **Save**.

![Course set page showing required courses with an open actions menu.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-C4MYDVHT.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)

Once you have finished setting up your requirements and adding your course set(s), click **Requirements** in the top-left corner of the page to return to the main **Requirements** tab.

> [!NOTE]
> If learners are only required to complete the same set of courses each time they recertify, you only need to create a single path. Learners will automatically repeat the original path according to the defined certification period.
> 
> ![Requirements section displaying a single learning path item valid for one year.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-UF7E9L1N.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D)

## Next steps

- [Adding additional paths](/totara-20/docs/adding-additional-paths)
- [Recertification](/totara-20/docs/recertification)
- [Multi-year recertification sequences](/totara-20/docs/multi-year-re-certification-sequences)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge_programs-and-certifications.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A12Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Ig5N%2B6s3dxz0II6cEFWQvK4H8VExrBZTf%2FXj0%2BH6FpM%3D) The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to using [Programs and certifications](https://totara.community/mod/page/view.php?id=24374) in Totara Learn. Here you can learn more on how to use programs and certifications, see best practices, and why not give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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