The validity period for a training item is the time period during which the training item can be completed and used towards completion of the certification. After the validity period has passed, the training item is expired and no longer counts towards the certification requirement. By default, the item can be counted towards multiple certification periods as long as the item is valid. When defining the validity period, you may choose to set no validity period, in which case the item is always valid during the time the certification is available. You may also set the validity period to a period that is relative to the start or end of the certification period. By default, no validity period is defined for all items.
To set the validity period for a section or individual item, click the Calendar icon 
. The following validity period options are available:
- No validity period defined - This is the default option. The training item is always valid towards the certification. This option is appropriate if the skills and knowledge in the item is not outdated over any renewal periods and do not need to be refreshed. Note: For the item to be used to satisfy requirements for renewal periods, you must also select the Allow training items acquired from previous periods to satisfy requirement if training item is valid option when configuring the training period.
- On the period start date, this item is completed within the past XX days, months, years - When the certification period begins, the system checks if this item is complete. The item must have been completed within the specified amount of time prior to the certification period start date or during the certification period. For example, if this option is selected and set to 2 years, the user must have satisfied the requirement within the previous two years prior to the start of the certification period or during the certification period.
- By the Certification Period end date, this item is valid if completed within the past XX days, months, years - According to the specified time period for this option, prior to the end of the certification period the system checks if this item is complete. If this item is completed outside of the specified period, the user does not receive credit for completing the item. For example, if this option is selected and set to 10 days, the user must satisfy the requirement within 10 days of the end of the certification period. If they completed the item 14 days prior to the end of the period, they receive no credit and they must complete the item again within 10 days of the end of the period.
- The item is completed after the indicated date - If the item was completed after the specified date, the requirement is satisfied.
Note: For a training item to be used towards multiple periods, the option to allow users to use an item towards multiple periods must also be enabled. This option is available while scheduling renewal periods on the Scheduling page. See Certification - Create - Step 3 - Scheduling.
Note: If a user has completed a training item multiple times, each instance of the item can be used to satisfy multiple renewal periods if the item is valid. For example, a user has taken LO1 three times prior to enrolling in the certification, and LO1 is required in the initial certification period and the two subsequent renewal periods. The user receives credit for LO1 for the initial period and the first two renewal periods as long as the item remains valid for those periods.
To check examples of Certification scenarios, See Validity Period Settings within Certifications - Use Cases.