The Fixed date option controls how certification expiry dates are calculated over time. When enabled, all expiry dates are calculated from a single base date, ensuring that certification cycles remain aligned even if learners complete the certification requirements early or late. This prevents expiry dates from gradually shifting forwards or backwards across multiple recertifications.
The Minimum certification interval is available only when fixed expiry dates are used. It ensures that learners always receive a guaranteed minimum period of certified status after completing a certification. If a learner completes their recertification too close to the next fixed expiry date, Totara automatically pushes the expiry forward by a full active period. Together, these settings balance predictable certification schedules with fair certification durations for learners.
Example configuration (fixed expiry)
The following example shows a fixed expiry date configuration and the values applied to each setting.
Setting | Value |
|---|---|
Fixed date | Enabled |
Fixed expiry date | 1st June 2026 |
Active period | 1 year |
Recertification window | 3 months |
Minimum certification interval | 6 months |
The minimum certification interval must be greater than or equal to the recertification window when fixed expiry dates are used.
How fixed expiry dates are calculated
When Fixed date is used, Totara calculates expiry dates using a single base date.
Concept | Description |
|---|---|
Base date | The assignment due date, if available. If no due date exists, the learner’s first completion date is used. |
Expiry calculation | The active period is repeatedly added to the base date until the first expiry date in the future is reached. |
Consistency over time | Early or late completions do not permanently shift expiry dates. This prevents expiry drift across multiple recertifications. |
How the minimum certification interval is applied
The Minimum certification interval is evaluated against the next calculated fixed expiry date.
Condition at completion | Evaluation | Resulting behaviour |
|---|---|---|
Time remaining until next fixed expiry is 6 months or more | Minimum interval met | Certification expires on 1st June 2026 |
Time remaining until next fixed expiry is less than 6 months | Minimum interval not met | Expiry is pushed forward by one full active period (to 1st June 2027) |
Note that using a Minimum recertification interval with a long recertification window so users can complete recertification early is not recommended, as it may give unexpected results and push the expiry date out a whole active period.
Completion outcomes (worked examples)
The following table is based on a certification created where those assigned have a due date (Fixed date) of 1st June 2026. The table applies the example configuration table shown above to illustrate how different completion scenarios affect the resulting certification expiry date.
Completion scenario | Completion date | Time remaining until 1st June 2026 | Expiry date applied | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Completion following assignment (learner A) | 1st August 2025 | ~10 months | 1st June 2026 | Minimum interval satisfied |
Completion following assignment (learner B) | 15th March 2026 | ~2.5 months | 1st June 2027 | Minimum interval not satisfied |
Completion during recertification window | 1st April 2026 | ~2 months | 1st June 2027 | Minimum interval not satisfied |
Late completion after expiry | 1st September 2026 | Calculated against next cycle | 1st June 2027 | Base date preserved; next future expiry selected |
Key behaviours to note
Minimum certification interval is available only when Fixed date is selected under the Recertification options
The minimum interval must be at least as long as the recertification window
Expiry dates are calculated from a fixed base date, not from completion dates
If the minimum interval is not met, the expiry is pushed forward by one whole active period, not by a partial amount
Over multiple recertifications, this approach prevents expiry dates from drifting forwards or backwards
The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to using Programs and certifications in Totara Learn. Here you can learn more on how to use programs and certifications, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.
Join the Totara Community for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.
© Copyright 2026 Totara Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.