The law no. 2002-73 of January 17, 2002—the social modernization law, as it is known—reformed continuing professional training in France. It established a new system of professional certification, the Validation of Knowledge Acquired from Experience (VAE in French). Since 2003, the Health Ministry has been looking into establishing the VAE for health professions, and especially state-registered nurses working in operating theatres (IBODES in French). A state diploma establishes the training which allows one to practice this profession. In the future, the VAE will open a new path to this diploma. Is this development a danger for the profession, and a danger or an opportunity for individuals? This article characterizes the impacts of the VAE on the IBODE profession and its current system of training. It uses two sociological and educational approaches, along with a survey of the field. A historical discussion of the IBODE profession traces the development of the caring practices, and presents the development of training systems. A sociological approach allows us to analyze the vocational focus of the IBODE by looking at functionalist theories. The study suggests that the VAE will have no consequences on the vocational focus of the IBODE. We then use an educational approach within the context of continuing professional training, looking at the topics it could apply to and the resistance it may cause. Some examples are taken from other ministries. This study shows that the VAE involves an adaptation of training centers. The VAE constitutes a genuine opportunity for the IBODE profession. However, to establish it in a delicate human context, professionals should be involved as early as possible in the ministry’s discussions.