What the fee covers
The annual fee covers the review, issuance of the certificate, twelve months of listing on the public register, and licence to display the VBC badge for that period.
Renewal
Renewal is charged at the same annual rate and requires a fresh review. Certificates do not roll over automatically, because an entry that has not been rechecked would say nothing useful about the present.
Changing level
You can apply to move up a level at any point during a certification year. You pay the difference between the fees, and the review covers the additional checks for the higher level. The expiry date stays as it was.
If an application is declined
Fees cover the review rather than the outcome, so they are not refundable once the review has begun. Where an application is returned for more evidence, resubmission within the same cycle carries no further charge.
Taxes
Fees are shown in US dollars and exclude any local taxes, which are applied according to your country of registration.