Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is understood as the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject or module. It can lead to a full qualification in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. RPL is a component of many qualification frameworks and is seen as important by numerous stakeholder groups in facilitating a skilled workforce and reducing barriers to credentials.

The concept is described in different ways globally including: accreditation of prior learning; accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL); prior learning assessment (PLA); prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR); credit for prior learning (CPL); recognition, validation and accreditation (RVA) of learning in formal, non-formal and informal settings; validation of non-formal and informal learning; and validation of prior learning (VPL).