Conversion: promotion by alternation (Pro-A) or conversion period
Verified 12 February 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Are you an employee in the private sector and are you considering retraining? A retraining or promotion by work-study (ex-period of professionalization), called Pro-A, could be considered before 2026. Indeed, it is no longer possible to conclude Pro-A. However, it shall continue to apply if theendorsement the employment contract was signed before the 1ster January 2026. Today, we are talking about a conversion period. We present you the information to know.
2026: conversion period
Warning
One company agreement or branch may provide for specific arrangements for the implementation of this period (e.g. its duration, the qualifications to benefit from it and the priority employees).
Any employee in the private sector (company, association, public industrial and commercial establishment...) who wishes to benefit from professional mobility within or outside the company may benefit from a retraining period.
The purpose of the conversion period is to acquire a qualification:
- Be registered in the national directory of professional qualifications (RNCP)
- Either entitling to a certificate of professional qualification (CQP) or interbranch.
FYI
The conversion period may also allow you to acquire Key whose objective is to prove that you have mastered basic knowledge. This mastery results in the issuance of a certificate.
As part of the conversion period, you benefit from training.
FYI
These trainings can take place after a work-based situational awareness period (PMSMP).
You can also benefit from:
- The acquisition of know-how through the exercise in company of one or more professional activities related to the qualifications you are looking for
- And also actions to validate the gains of experience.
The implementation of the professionalization period requires your agreement and that of your employer.
A Cerfa constitutes this written agreement.
Conversion can be carried out either within the company (internal conversion) or in another company (external conversion).
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Internal conversion within the company
A written agreement is required to organize the terms of the conversion period, including the duration.
During the conversion period, your employment contract is maintained.
Conversion outside the company
Suspension of contract
Your employment contract is suspended.
A written agreement shall determine, inter alia:
- The duration of the suspension
- Your possible early return to your company in the event of a break in the trial period in the host company.
Signing of a contract
The conversion period in a company other than yours translates:
- By a contract of indefinite duration (CDI)
- Or by a fixed-term contract (CDD) of at least 6 months.
These contracts shall provide for:
- The organization of the conversion period
- One trial period.
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Internal conversion within the company
Your employment contract is maintained. You receive your remuneration without modification.
Conversion outside the company
Your remuneration is determined by the new employment contract signed with the host company.
The conversion period may not exceed 12 months (one year).
The duration of the training is between 150 and 450 hours.
FYI
Key is not affected by this duration.
However, a company agreement or of branch may provide for up to 2 100 hours of training over a period not exceeding 36 months (3 years).
The costs of the training shall be borne by theOpco at the request of the employer.
If you wish, you can mobilize your CPF.
The training organization cannot ask you for a financial contribution.
You benefit from social security legislation relating to accidents at work and occupational diseases.
The rules differ depending on whether it is an internal (in the company) or an external (in another company) conversion.
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Internal conversion period at the company
Your employment contract is maintained.
Period of conversion outside the company
The employee and the host company wish to pursue the contractual relationship
At the end of the trial period, if you and your host company wish to continue working together, your employment contract with your home company is terminated.
If this contract is a CDI: titleContent, the rupture results in a conventional rupture. Rules related to dismissal on economic grounds shall not apply.
If this contract is a CDD: titleContent, the break-up is by mutual agreement.
The employee and the host company do not wish to continue
At the end of the trial period, if you and your host company do not wish to continue working together, you will return to your original company.
You agree to return to the host company
You find your initial position or an equivalent position. Your remuneration is at least equivalent.
You refuse to return to the host company
Your contract is broken.
If this contract is a CDI: titleContent, the rupture results in a conventional rupture.
If this contract is a CDD: titleContent, the break-up is by mutual agreement.
Before 2026: Pro-A
One condition related to your professional situation and another related to your qualification are to be met.
Employment contract
You are affected by Pro-A if you are in one of these scenarios :
- In permanent employment contract (CDI)
- Sportsman or professional coach in fixed-term contract (CDD)
- In Single insertion contract (CUI) of indefinite duration
- Placed in partial activity position.
Qualification
You must have a qualification level sanctioned by an RNCP-registered certificate below the grade of the license (Bac+3).
Retraining or promotion by work-study (ex-period of professionalization), known as Pro-A, allows you to:
- To change profession or profession
- Or to benefit from social or professional promotion.
To do this, the Pro-A must result in obtaining a professional certification.
Yes, this route alternate theoretical teaching and professional activity.
The training courses that can be taken as part of the Pro-A are as follows:
- Diploma or professional title registered in national directory of professional qualifications (RNCP)French national directory of professional certifications (RNCP)
- Certificate of Professional Qualification (CQP)
- Recognized qualification in the classifications of a national branch collective agreement
- (VAE)
You can consult the list of professional certifications eligible for Pro-A by industry:
List of extended branch agreements on the Pro-A
Center for the Development of Information on Training (Info Center)
Pour en savoir plus
Pro-A can lead to the foundation of professional knowledge and skills (Key certificate) linked to basic knowledge.
Employee
If you wish to benefit from a Pro-A, you must request it from your employer preferably by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (LRAR).
In the event of a positive response, a endorsement the employment contract must be signed by you and your employer.
Employer
Your employer can take the initiative under the skills development plan company.
Pro-A is conducted according to the rules and duration applicable to the professionalization contract.
The duration of the certifying actions is between 6 and 12 months (one year).
This period may be extended up to 36 months for certain groups (for example, for unqualified young people aged 16 to 25 or over who have not completed a second cycle of secondary education).
One branch agreement may provide that, for certain beneficiaries, this period is 24 months (2 years).
This training can take place during or outside working time.
If the training takes place outside working time, you must give your written consent.
Please note
The fact that the Pro-A takes place during and/or outside working time is specified in the amendment to the employment contract.
Your employment contract is subject to a endorsement signed by you and the employer specifying in particular:
- Information related to the tutor
- The job covered by the Pro-A.
This amendment can take the form of cerfa n°16155:
Conversion or promotion by alternation - Pro-A (contract amendment)
Please note
This amendment to the employment contract cannot contain from de-training clause.
Your employer sends the complete file to theOpco of which it shall report no later than within 5 calendar days which follow the start of the conversion period or promotion by alternation.
Your remuneration is not the same depending on whether you are doing this training during or outside working hours:
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During working time
The training carried out gives rise to holding by your employer of your remuneration.
Outside working time
Training is not remunerated.
During the training period, you receive social security benefits (health insurance, accident at work ...).)
Yes, you benefit from the help of a tutor chosen by the employer from among the skilled employees of the company.
The tutor must be voluntary and have at least 2 years of professional experience in a qualification related to the objective of professionalization.
The duties of the tutor are as follows:
- Welcome you, help you, inform you and guide you
- Organize your employee activity and contribute to the acquisition of professional know-how
- Ensure that your schedule is respected
- Participate in the evaluation of your training follow-up.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Administrative information by telephone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Please note: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
He does not respond questions concerning unemployment compensation and the approach to the France Labor (formerly Job center), public servants or contract workers of the fCivil Service, the amount or payment of contributions social, wage or employer.
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The informants who answer you belong to the ministry responsible for labor.
Purpose, conduct, negotiation and financing of the conversion period
Ministry of Labor