National Competency Framework for Data Professionals version 3 launches

The National Competency Framework (NCF) version 3 (published March 2026) is the third major release of the National Competency Framework for Data Professionals.

It represents the most substantial update since the framework’s original launch in 2023, expanding its scope, strengthening specialist content, and adding entirely new domain‑level competencies.

The National Competency Framework for Data Professionals is a UK (NHS‑led) framework that defines the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed across data roles, from entry level to expert.

It provides a common language to support workforce planning, career pathways, capability development and consistent standards for data professionals across health and care.

NCF version 3 is a major expansion that introduces a new Public Health (PH) domain, updates specialist skills, revises several roles (for example, Data Ethicist), and delivers improved tooling to support self‑assessment, personal development plans and benchmarking.

What version 3 adds

A new Public Health (PH) Domain

Developed with national PH stakeholders through six workshops (July 2025), tested August 2025.

Includes competencies unique to public‑health analytical practice such as:

• Epidemiological thinking
• Population‑health application
• Research‑adjacent skills (for example, critical appraisal, evaluation methods)

Major revisions to specialist skills

Areas expanded or restructured:

• SQL – clearer levels and expectations
• Advanced Statistics – new sampling methodology content
• Research‑aligned skills – appraisal, study design, evaluation

Role updates (especially Data Ethicist)

• Data Ethicist role expanded downward to include lower practitioner levels
• Updates made to ensure Government Digital and Data (GDaD) framework alignment

Tooling overhaul (Self‑Assessment, Evidence Log, Comparison Tools)

A major redesign of the Excel toolkit:

• New evidence log structure
• Improved role comparison
• New flat‑file structure for backward compatibility
• These updates set the foundation for revised manager and strategic tools

Why version 3 was needed

The update was driven by:

• Public‑health analysts reporting poor alignment with earlier versions
• System‑wide feedback on missing research/epidemiology skills
• Adopter requests for clearer definitions in key roles
• The need to improve tooling usability and reduce legacy issues

How version 3 was built

The development cycle included:

• Early national testing (Nov–Jan) to increase participation
• 3 drop‑in feedback sessions
• Expanded development capacity
• Early finalisation to support a March 2026 launch

NCF version 3 is a comprehensive update that broadens coverage (via a new PH domain), deepens specialist technical content, refines roles, and delivers significantly improved tooling - making it the most complete and representative version of the framework to date.

For more information, please visit AnalystX at: National Competency Framework - AnalystX - Futures