Hi Natalie,
Thought I'd jump in here with some Totara insight and links to additional support. Let me answer your questions in order.
Do certifications only have a duration of certification and timing of recurrence now instead of the many options such as a set year/month or recurring from their completion date, etc.?
From V20 the valid period (duration of a certification) is set at each path level and the recertification window length (time allowed to complete a certification) is also set at the path level. These settings used to be on the certification settings page in previous versions at the certification level.
The recertification reference date settings (completion date, expiry date or fixed) are still at the certification level as was in previous versions but now sits on the Requirements tab.
Do we have to use 'Learning Paths' now instead of a set screen to choose our recert settings?
Yes. V20 introduces a new certification model based on Learning paths. Rather than configuring recertification entirely through a dedicated recertification settings screen, administrators now configure certification and recertification behaviour through learning paths and individual pathway settings.
This allows you to create different paths for initial certification and recertification, specify which learning activities need to be repeated, and control what happens when a certification expires, for example deciding which path learners return to.
What happens to our existing certification settings when we upgrade if those settings no longer exist?
Your existing certifications are not removed during the upgrade. Totara automatically migrates existing certification structures and settings into the new pathway model.
When upgrading to Totara 20 (T20/T20.1), all existing certifications are automatically migrated into the new UI:
- The original certification path becomes the first path
- The recertification path becomes the second path
- The second path loops back to the first for ongoing cycles
Resources
I strongly recommend watching this webinar: One certification, many paths: advanced recertification in Totara 20. The webinar explores Totara 20’s major upgrades to certifications, including multi-year recertification sequences, flexible return points, and support for multiple paths within a single certification. The resource also includes FAQs, which might clarify a few more questions!
Our Help documentation also includes a page of multi-year certification examples, which is well worth a look. It demonstrates how Totara 20's pathway-based approach can be used to manage certification journeys over multiple renewal cycles, including scenarios where learners have different requirements at different stages of recertification.
Of course, these are simply examples of what's possible - you don't need to implement complex multi-year pathways if your existing certification model meets your needs, but it's useful to be aware of the additional flexibility available in V20 should your requirements evolve in the future.
Hope that helps!