Originally founded in 1973 in the UK by Dr William Arnold-Taylor, ITEC (as part of VTCT) is a government-regulated awarding organisation, responsible for the award of qualifications in 2,000 centres in the UK, Ireland and 40 countries around the world.

In Ireland, there are more than 200 colleges and private training providers approved to deliver ITEC qualifications. ITEC supports Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 (Department of Education and Skills, 2016)

iTEC qualifications are recognised on national and international qualifications frameworks worldwide and are the most employer-preferred qualifications in the industry, being highly sought after by beauty, sport, fitness and therapy businesses globally. ITEC qualification holders are widely known to have a competitive advantage in the labour market. ITEC qualifications are referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and all ITEC qualification holders are also entitled to a Europass Certificate.

In 2016, iTEC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vocational Training Charitable Trust, and ITEC now contributes to the charitable objects of the organisation, for the public benefit and advancement of education in the UK, Ireland and internationally.

ITEC now has an office in Ireland, to support the processing of examinations within the European Union. The ITEC Ireland office is located in Co. Cavan and supports a range of national and international quality assurance services. For the last 20 years, the iTEC Worldwide Examination Team has predominantly consisted of Irish examiners who externally quality assure ITEC qualifications around the world, and this tradition will continue, now supported by an office based in Ireland.