diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/DesignerToolbar.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/DesignerToolbar.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fc6dff825
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/DesignerToolbar.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+import { Button, Group, NumberInput, Select, Tooltip } from '@mantine/core';
+import { IconPlus } from '@tabler/icons-react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { useLocalized, type LicenseType } from '@ema-platform/api';
+
+interface Props {
+  licenseTypes: LicenseType[];
+  typeId: string | null;
+  onTypeChange: (id: string | null) => void;
+  validityMonths: number;
+  onValidityChange: (months: number) => void;
+  currentValidityMonths?: number | null;
+  canEdit: boolean;
+  savingValidity: boolean;
+  onSaveValidity: () => void;
+  onNewVersion: () => void;
+}
+
+/** Licence type, certificate validity, and the entry point for a new version. */
+export function DesignerToolbar({
+  licenseTypes,
+  typeId,
+  onTypeChange,
+  validityMonths,
+  onValidityChange,
+  currentValidityMonths,
+  canEdit,
+  savingValidity,
+  onSaveValidity,
+  onNewVersion,
+}: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const localized = useLocalized();
+
+  return (
+    <Group align="flex-end" mb="md" gap="sm">
+      <Select
+        label={t('designer.licenceType', 'Licence type')}
+        data={licenseTypes.map((type) => ({
+          value: type.id,
+          label: localized(type.name) || type.key,
+        }))}
+        value={typeId}
+        onChange={onTypeChange}
+        w={280}
+      />
+
+      {/* Validity lives beside the design because it is the other half of
+          what a certificate promises. */}
+      <NumberInput
+        label={t('designer.validityYears', 'Valid for (years)')}
+        description={t('designer.validityHint', 'Applied when a licence is issued')}
+        value={Number((validityMonths / 12).toFixed(2))}
+        onChange={(value) => onValidityChange(Math.round(Number(value || 0) * 12))}
+        min={0.5}
+        max={20}
+        step={0.5}
+        decimalScale={1}
+        w={190}
+        disabled={!canEdit}
+      />
+      <Tooltip
+        label={
+          canEdit
+            ? t('designer.saveValidity', 'Save validity')
+            : t('designer.noPermission', 'You do not have permission')
+        }
+      >
+        <span>
+          <Button
+            variant="light"
+            loading={savingValidity}
+            disabled={!canEdit || !typeId || validityMonths === currentValidityMonths}
+            onClick={onSaveValidity}
+          >
+            {t('designer.saveValidity', 'Save validity')}
+          </Button>
+        </span>
+      </Tooltip>
+
+      <div style={{ flex: 1 }} />
+
+      <Button
+        leftSection={<IconPlus size={16} />}
+        disabled={!canEdit || !typeId}
+        onClick={onNewVersion}
+      >
+        {t('designer.newVersion', 'New version')}
+      </Button>
+    </Group>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/NewVersionModal.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/NewVersionModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..be0f59876
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/NewVersionModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import { Button, Modal, Stack, Text, TextInput } from '@mantine/core';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { ModalFooter } from '@ema-platform/ui';
+
+interface Props {
+  opened: boolean;
+  name: string;
+  onNameChange: (value: string) => void;
+  creating: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  onCreate: () => void;
+}
+
+/** Starts a draft from the live design, or the built-in layout if there is none. */
+export function NewVersionModal({
+  opened,
+  name,
+  onNameChange,
+  creating,
+  onClose,
+  onCreate,
+}: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return (
+    <Modal opened={opened} onClose={onClose} title={t('designer.newVersion', 'New version')}>
+      <Stack>
+        <TextInput
+          label={t('designer.name', 'Version name')}
+          value={name}
+          onChange={(e) => onNameChange(e.currentTarget.value)}
+          withAsterisk
+        />
+        <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+          {t(
+            'designer.newHint',
+            'Starts from the live design, or the built-in layout if this type has none.',
+          )}
+        </Text>
+        <ModalFooter>
+          <Button variant="default" onClick={onClose}>
+            {t('common.cancel', 'Cancel')}
+          </Button>
+          <Button loading={creating} disabled={!name.trim()} onClick={onCreate}>
+            {t('designer.create', 'Create')}
+          </Button>
+        </ModalFooter>
+      </Stack>
+    </Modal>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateActionBar.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateActionBar.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3c0ff1711
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateActionBar.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+import { ActionIcon, Button, Group, Tooltip } from '@mantine/core';
+import {
+  IconDeviceFloppy,
+  IconEye,
+  IconRosetteDiscountCheck,
+  IconTrash,
+} from '@tabler/icons-react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+
+interface Props {
+  hasSource: boolean;
+  hasSelection: boolean;
+  isPublished: boolean;
+  dirty: boolean;
+  canEdit: boolean;
+  canPublish: boolean;
+  saving: boolean;
+  publishing: boolean;
+  onPreview: () => void;
+  onSave: () => void;
+  onPublish: () => void;
+  onArchive: () => void;
+  onDelete: () => void;
+}
+
+/** Preview, save, publish, withdraw and delete for the selected version. */
+export function TemplateActionBar({
+  hasSource,
+  hasSelection,
+  isPublished,
+  dirty,
+  canEdit,
+  canPublish,
+  saving,
+  publishing,
+  onPreview,
+  onSave,
+  onPublish,
+  onArchive,
+  onDelete,
+}: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  const publishHint = !canPublish
+    ? t('designer.noPublishPermission', 'You cannot publish designs')
+    : dirty
+      ? t('designer.saveFirst', 'Save your changes first')
+      : t('designer.publishHint', 'Makes this the live certificate design');
+
+  return (
+    <Group>
+      <Button
+        variant="light"
+        leftSection={<IconEye size={16} />}
+        onClick={onPreview}
+        disabled={!hasSource}
+      >
+        {t('designer.preview', 'Preview PDF')}
+      </Button>
+      <Button
+        leftSection={<IconDeviceFloppy size={16} />}
+        loading={saving}
+        disabled={!canEdit || isPublished || !dirty}
+        onClick={onSave}
+      >
+        {t('designer.save', 'Save draft')}
+      </Button>
+      <Tooltip label={publishHint}>
+        <span>
+          <Button
+            color="teal"
+            leftSection={<IconRosetteDiscountCheck size={16} />}
+            loading={publishing}
+            disabled={!canPublish || isPublished || dirty || !hasSelection}
+            onClick={onPublish}
+          >
+            {t('designer.publish', 'Publish')}
+          </Button>
+        </span>
+      </Tooltip>
+      <div style={{ flex: 1 }} />
+      {hasSelection && isPublished && canPublish && (
+        <Button variant="subtle" color="orange" onClick={onArchive}>
+          {t('designer.archive', 'Withdraw')}
+        </Button>
+      )}
+      {hasSelection && !isPublished && canEdit && (
+        <Tooltip label={t('designer.delete', 'Delete draft')}>
+          <ActionIcon
+            variant="subtle"
+            color="red"
+            aria-label={t('designer.delete', 'Delete draft')}
+            onClick={onDelete}
+          >
+            <IconTrash size={16} />
+          </ActionIcon>
+        </Tooltip>
+      )}
+    </Group>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateBackgroundPanel.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateBackgroundPanel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..422814958
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateBackgroundPanel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+import { Button, Group, Image, Paper, Stack, Text, TextInput } from '@mantine/core';
+import { IconPhotoUp, IconTrash } from '@tabler/icons-react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+
+interface Props {
+  backgroundUrl: string;
+  onBackgroundChange: (url: string) => void;
+  disabled: boolean;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The artwork a certificate is printed on.
+ *
+ * A background, not the certificate itself — the number, QR code and holder's
+ * name stay in the template layer above it, so one design serves every
+ * certificate it issues.
+ */
+export function TemplateBackgroundPanel({
+  backgroundUrl,
+  onBackgroundChange,
+  disabled,
+}: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return (
+    <Paper withBorder p="md" radius="md">
+      <Stack gap="sm">
+        <div>
+          <Text fw={600} size="sm">
+            {t('designer.background', 'Background artwork')}
+          </Text>
+          <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+            {t(
+              'designer.backgroundHint',
+              'Printed underneath the template. Certificate data is drawn on top, so the same artwork serves every certificate.',
+            )}
+          </Text>
+        </div>
+
+        <Group align="flex-end" gap="sm">
+          <TextInput
+            label={t('designer.backgroundUrl', 'Artwork URL')}
+            placeholder="https://…"
+            value={backgroundUrl}
+            onChange={(e) => onBackgroundChange(e.currentTarget.value)}
+            disabled={disabled}
+            style={{ flex: 1 }}
+          />
+          {backgroundUrl && (
+            <Button
+              variant="subtle"
+              color="red"
+              leftSection={<IconTrash size={16} />}
+              disabled={disabled}
+              onClick={() => onBackgroundChange('')}
+            >
+              {t('designer.removeBackground', 'Remove')}
+            </Button>
+          )}
+        </Group>
+
+        {backgroundUrl ? (
+          <Image
+            src={backgroundUrl}
+            alt={t('designer.backgroundPreview', 'Certificate background preview')}
+            radius="sm"
+            fit="contain"
+            mah={220}
+            fallbackSrc="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'/%3E"
+          />
+        ) : (
+          <Paper withBorder p="lg" radius="sm" bg="var(--mantine-color-gray-light)">
+            <Group justify="center" gap="xs">
+              <IconPhotoUp size={18} />
+              <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+                {t('designer.noBackground', 'No artwork — the design renders as HTML only.')}
+              </Text>
+            </Group>
+          </Paper>
+        )}
+      </Stack>
+    </Paper>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateEditor.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateEditor.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fa9c366c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateEditor.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import type { RefObject } from 'react';
+import { Group, Paper, Switch, Text, TextInput, Textarea } from '@mantine/core';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+
+interface Props {
+  name: string;
+  onNameChange: (value: string) => void;
+  source: string;
+  onSourceChange: (value: string) => void;
+  landscape: boolean;
+  onLandscapeChange: (value: boolean) => void;
+  editorRef: RefObject<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>;
+  disabled: boolean;
+  isPublished: boolean;
+}
+
+/** Name, orientation and the Handlebars source for the selected version. */
+export function TemplateEditor({
+  name,
+  onNameChange,
+  source,
+  onSourceChange,
+  landscape,
+  onLandscapeChange,
+  editorRef,
+  disabled,
+  isPublished,
+}: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Group gap="sm" align="flex-end">
+        <TextInput
+          label={t('designer.name', 'Version name')}
+          value={name}
+          onChange={(e) => onNameChange(e.currentTarget.value)}
+          disabled={disabled}
+          style={{ flex: 1 }}
+        />
+        <Switch
+          label={t('designer.landscape', 'Landscape')}
+          checked={landscape}
+          onChange={(e) => onLandscapeChange(e.currentTarget.checked)}
+          disabled={disabled}
+        />
+      </Group>
+
+      {isPublished && (
+        <Paper withBorder p="xs" bg="var(--mantine-color-teal-light)">
+          <Text size="xs">
+            {t(
+              'designer.publishedLocked',
+              'This version is live and cannot be edited — certificates have been issued from it. Create a new version to make changes.',
+            )}
+          </Text>
+        </Paper>
+      )}
+
+      <Textarea
+        ref={editorRef}
+        label={t('designer.source', 'Template (Handlebars + HTML)')}
+        value={source}
+        onChange={(e) => onSourceChange(e.currentTarget.value)}
+        disabled={disabled}
+        autosize
+        minRows={18}
+        maxRows={30}
+        styles={{ input: { fontFamily: 'monospace', fontSize: 12 } }}
+      />
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateVariableList.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateVariableList.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de76467a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateVariableList.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+import { Button, Code, ScrollArea, Stack, Text, Tooltip } from '@mantine/core';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+
+interface Variable {
+  key: string;
+  label: string;
+}
+
+interface Props {
+  variables: Variable[];
+  disabled: boolean;
+  onInsert: (key: string) => void;
+}
+
+/** Placeholders the template can carry, inserted at the caret. */
+export function TemplateVariableList({ variables, disabled, onInsert }: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return (
+    <Stack gap="xs" w={230} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }}>
+      <Text fw={600} size="sm">
+        {t('designer.variables', 'Placeholders')}
+      </Text>
+      <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+        {t('designer.variablesHint', 'Click to insert at the cursor.')}
+      </Text>
+      <ScrollArea.Autosize mah={480} type="hover">
+        <Stack gap={4}>
+          {variables.map((variable) => (
+            <Tooltip key={variable.key} label={variable.label} position="left">
+              <Button
+                size="compact-xs"
+                variant="default"
+                justify="flex-start"
+                disabled={disabled}
+                onClick={() => onInsert(variable.key)}
+              >
+                <Code fz={10}>{`{{${variable.key}}}`}</Code>
+              </Button>
+            </Tooltip>
+          ))}
+        </Stack>
+      </ScrollArea.Autosize>
+    </Stack>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateVersionList.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateVersionList.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9daf1e085
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/components/TemplateVersionList.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { Badge, Card, Group, Stack, Text } from '@mantine/core';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import type { LicenseTemplate } from '@ema-platform/api';
+import { STATUS_COLOR } from '../config/designer';
+
+interface Props {
+  templates: LicenseTemplate[];
+  selectedId: string | null;
+  onSelect: (id: string) => void;
+}
+
+/** The version rail — every design ever authored for this licence type. */
+export function TemplateVersionList({ templates, selectedId, onSelect }: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return (
+    <Stack gap="xs" w={240} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }}>
+      <Text fw={600} size="sm">
+        {t('designer.versions', 'Versions')}
+      </Text>
+      {templates.map((tpl) => (
+        <Card
+          key={tpl.id}
+          withBorder
+          padding="xs"
+          onClick={() => onSelect(tpl.id)}
+          style={{
+            cursor: 'pointer',
+            borderColor: tpl.id === selectedId ? 'var(--mantine-color-blue-5)' : undefined,
+          }}
+        >
+          <Group justify="space-between" wrap="nowrap">
+            <div style={{ minWidth: 0 }}>
+              <Text size="sm" fw={500} truncate>
+                {tpl.name}
+              </Text>
+              <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+                v{tpl.version}
+              </Text>
+            </div>
+            <Badge size="xs" variant="light" color={STATUS_COLOR[tpl.status]}>
+              {tpl.status}
+            </Badge>
+          </Group>
+        </Card>
+      ))}
+    </Stack>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/config/designer.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/config/designer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fb89c7801
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/config/designer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+import type { LicenseTemplate } from '@ema-platform/api';
+
+/** Same resolution — and same fallback — the shared RTK Query baseQuery uses. */
+export const API_BASE_URL =
+  (import.meta as { env?: Record<string, string> }).env?.['VITE_BASE_API_URL'] ??
+  'http://localhost:3001/api';
+
+export const STATUS_COLOR: Record<LicenseTemplate['status'], string> = {
+  DRAFT: 'gray',
+  PUBLISHED: 'teal',
+  ARCHIVED: 'dark',
+};
+
+/** Page options sent with every save and preview — A4, background printed. */
+export function pageOptionsFor(landscape: boolean) {
+  return { format: 'A4' as const, landscape, printBackground: true };
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useDesignerActions.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useDesignerActions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8ecce483e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useDesignerActions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+import { useCallback } from 'react';
+import { notifications } from '@mantine/notifications';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { extractErrorMessage } from '@ema-platform/api';
+
+/**
+ * Runs a designer mutation and reports the outcome once.
+ *
+ * Every action on this page succeeds or fails the same way, so the toast
+ * handling lives here rather than being repeated at each call site.
+ */
+export function useDesignerActions() {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return useCallback(
+    async (action: () => Promise<unknown>, success: string) => {
+      try {
+        await action();
+        notifications.show({ color: 'teal', title: success, message: '' });
+      } catch (err) {
+        notifications.show({
+          color: 'red',
+          title: t('designer.actionFailed', 'Action failed'),
+          message: extractErrorMessage(err),
+        });
+      }
+    },
+    [t],
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useTemplateDraft.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useTemplateDraft.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f8d854fc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useTemplateDraft.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import type { LicenseTemplate } from '@ema-platform/api';
+
+/**
+ * Editor state for the selected version.
+ *
+ * Selection defaults to the live design because that is the one staff usually
+ * open, and the fields reset whenever the selection changes so an edit can
+ * never leak from one version into another.
+ */
+export function useTemplateDraft(templates: LicenseTemplate[]) {
+  const [selectedId, setSelectedId] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [source, setSource] = useState('');
+  const [name, setName] = useState('');
+  const [landscape, setLandscape] = useState(true);
+  const [backgroundUrl, setBackgroundUrl] = useState('');
+  const editorRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
+
+  const selected = useMemo(
+    () => templates.find((tpl) => tpl.id === selectedId) ?? null,
+    [templates, selectedId],
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!templates.length) {
+      setSelectedId(null);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (selectedId && templates.some((tpl) => tpl.id === selectedId)) return;
+    const published = templates.find((tpl) => tpl.status === 'PUBLISHED');
+    setSelectedId((published ?? templates[0]).id);
+  }, [templates, selectedId]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!selected) return;
+    setSource(selected.hbsSource);
+    setName(selected.name);
+    setLandscape(selected.pageOptions?.landscape ?? true);
+    setBackgroundUrl(selected.backgroundUrl ?? '');
+  }, [selected]);
+
+  const isPublished = selected?.status === 'PUBLISHED';
+  const dirty =
+    Boolean(selected) &&
+    (source !== selected?.hbsSource ||
+      name !== selected?.name ||
+      landscape !== (selected?.pageOptions?.landscape ?? true) ||
+      backgroundUrl !== (selected?.backgroundUrl ?? ''));
+
+  /** Inserts a placeholder where the caret is, rather than at the end. */
+  function insertVariable(key: string) {
+    const el = editorRef.current;
+    const token = `{{${key}}}`;
+    if (!el) {
+      setSource((prev) => prev + token);
+      return;
+    }
+    const start = el.selectionStart ?? source.length;
+    const end = el.selectionEnd ?? start;
+    setSource(source.slice(0, start) + token + source.slice(end));
+    requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      el.focus();
+      el.setSelectionRange(start + token.length, start + token.length);
+    });
+  }
+
+  return {
+    selected,
+    selectedId,
+    setSelectedId,
+    source,
+    setSource,
+    name,
+    setName,
+    landscape,
+    setLandscape,
+    backgroundUrl,
+    setBackgroundUrl,
+    editorRef,
+    isPublished,
+    dirty,
+    insertVariable,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useTemplatePreview.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useTemplatePreview.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..761a89e15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/hooks/useTemplatePreview.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import { useCallback } from 'react';
+import { notifications } from '@mantine/notifications';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { extractErrorMessage } from '@ema-platform/api';
+import { authStorage } from '@ema-platform/auth';
+import { API_BASE_URL, pageOptionsFor } from '../config/designer';
+
+interface PreviewArgs {
+  hbsSource: string;
+  licenseTypeId: string | null;
+  landscape: boolean;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Renders the editor's current contents, not the saved row, so unsaved edits
+ * are what you see. Opened as a blob so it never leaves a file behind.
+ */
+export function useTemplatePreview() {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  return useCallback(
+    async ({ hbsSource, licenseTypeId, landscape }: PreviewArgs) => {
+      try {
+        // The preview returns a PDF stream, not JSON, so it bypasses RTK Query
+        // and calls the API directly — which means spelling out the base URL and
+        // the bearer token that the shared baseQuery would normally attach.
+        const token = authStorage.getToken();
+        const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE_URL}/license-templates/preview`, {
+          method: 'POST',
+          headers: {
+            'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+            ...(token ? { Authorization: `Bearer ${token}` } : {}),
+          },
+          body: JSON.stringify({
+            hbsSource,
+            licenseTypeId,
+            pageOptions: pageOptionsFor(landscape),
+          }),
+        });
+        if (!response.ok) throw new Error(await response.text());
+        const url = URL.createObjectURL(await response.blob());
+        window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener');
+        // Give the new tab time to read it before revoking.
+        setTimeout(() => URL.revokeObjectURL(url), 60_000);
+      } catch (err) {
+        notifications.show({
+          color: 'red',
+          title: t('designer.previewFailed', 'Could not render the preview'),
+          message: extractErrorMessage(err),
+        });
+      }
+    },
+    [t],
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/pages/CertificateDesignerPage.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/pages/CertificateDesignerPage.tsx
index ae4c2a26c..4f8a8a24f 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/pages/CertificateDesignerPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/certificate-designer/pages/CertificateDesignerPage.tsx
@@ -1,34 +1,6 @@
-import { useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
-import {
-  ActionIcon,
-  Badge,
-  Button,
-  Card,
-  Code,
-  Container,
-  Group,
-  Modal,
-  NumberInput,
-  Paper,
-  ScrollArea,
-  Select,
-  Stack,
-  Switch,
-  Text,
-  TextInput,
-  Textarea,
-  Title,
-  Tooltip,
-} from '@mantine/core';
-import {
-  IconAlertCircle,
-  IconDeviceFloppy,
-  IconEye,
-  IconPlus,
-  IconRosetteDiscountCheck,
-  IconTrash,
-} from '@tabler/icons-react';
-import { notifications } from '@mantine/notifications';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { Container, Group, Stack } from '@mantine/core';
+import { IconAlertCircle } from '@tabler/icons-react';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import {
   extractErrorMessage,
@@ -39,26 +11,23 @@ import {
   useGetLicenseTemplatesQuery,
   useGetLicenseTypesQuery,
   useGetTemplateVariablesQuery,
-  useLocalized,
   usePublishLicenseTemplateMutation,
   useUpdateLicenseValidityMutation,
   useUpdateLicenseTemplateMutation,
-  type LicenseTemplate,
 } from '@ema-platform/api';
-import { EmptyState, ErrorState, ModalFooter, PageHeader } from '@ema-platform/ui';
-import { authStorage, usePermissions } from '@ema-platform/auth';
-import { LICENSE_PERMISSIONS as PERMISSIONS } from '@ema-platform/auth';
-
-/** Same resolution the shared RTK Query baseQuery uses. */
-const API_BASE_URL =
-  (import.meta as { env?: Record<string, string> }).env?.['VITE_BASE_API_URL'] ??
-  'http://localhost:3000/api';
-
-const STATUS_COLOR: Record<LicenseTemplate['status'], string> = {
-  DRAFT: 'gray',
-  PUBLISHED: 'teal',
-  ARCHIVED: 'dark',
-};
+import { EmptyState, ErrorState, PageHeader } from '@ema-platform/ui';
+import { usePermissions, LICENSE_PERMISSIONS as PERMISSIONS } from '@ema-platform/auth';
+import { DesignerToolbar } from '../components/DesignerToolbar';
+import { NewVersionModal } from '../components/NewVersionModal';
+import { TemplateActionBar } from '../components/TemplateActionBar';
+import { TemplateBackgroundPanel } from '../components/TemplateBackgroundPanel';
+import { TemplateEditor } from '../components/TemplateEditor';
+import { TemplateVariableList } from '../components/TemplateVariableList';
+import { TemplateVersionList } from '../components/TemplateVersionList';
+import { pageOptionsFor } from '../config/designer';
+import { useDesignerActions } from '../hooks/useDesignerActions';
+import { useTemplateDraft } from '../hooks/useTemplateDraft';
+import { useTemplatePreview } from '../hooks/useTemplatePreview';
 
 /**
  * Where the authority designs the certificate its licensees receive.
@@ -71,7 +40,6 @@ const STATUS_COLOR: Record<LicenseTemplate['status'], string> = {
  */
 export function CertificateDesignerPage() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const localized = useLocalized();
   const { can } = usePermissions();
 
   const canEdit = can([PERMISSIONS.UPDATE_TEMPLATE]);
@@ -97,16 +65,15 @@ export function CertificateDesignerPage() {
   const [deleteTemplate] = useDeleteLicenseTemplateMutation();
   const [updateValidity, { isLoading: savingValidity }] = useUpdateLicenseValidityMutation();
 
-  const [selectedId, setSelectedId] = useState<string | null>(null);
-  const [source, setSource] = useState('');
-  const [name, setName] = useState('');
-  const [landscape, setLandscape] = useState(true);
+  const draft = useTemplateDraft(templates);
+  const run = useDesignerActions();
+  const openPreview = useTemplatePreview();
+
   const [newOpen, setNewOpen] = useState(false);
   const [newName, setNewName] = useState('');
-  const editorRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
+  const [validityMonths, setValidityMonths] = useState<number>(12);
 
   const selectedType = licenseTypes?.items?.find((type) => type.id === typeId);
-  const [validityMonths, setValidityMonths] = useState<number>(12);
 
   // Default to the first licence type so the page is never an empty shell.
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -117,101 +84,14 @@ export function CertificateDesignerPage() {
     if (selectedType) setValidityMonths(selectedType.validityMonths ?? 12);
   }, [selectedType]);
 
-  const selected = useMemo(
-    () => templates.find((tpl) => tpl.id === selectedId) ?? null,
-    [templates, selectedId],
-  );
-
-  // Pick the live design by default — that is the one staff usually want.
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!templates.length) {
-      setSelectedId(null);
-      return;
-    }
-    if (selectedId && templates.some((tpl) => tpl.id === selectedId)) return;
-    const published = templates.find((tpl) => tpl.status === 'PUBLISHED');
-    setSelectedId((published ?? templates[0]).id);
-  }, [templates, selectedId]);
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!selected) return;
-    setSource(selected.hbsSource);
-    setName(selected.name);
-    setLandscape(selected.pageOptions?.landscape ?? true);
-  }, [selected]);
-
-  const isPublished = selected?.status === 'PUBLISHED';
-  const dirty =
-    Boolean(selected) &&
-    (source !== selected?.hbsSource ||
-      name !== selected?.name ||
-      landscape !== (selected?.pageOptions?.landscape ?? true));
-
-  async function run(action: () => Promise<unknown>, success: string) {
-    try {
-      await action();
-      notifications.show({ color: 'teal', title: success, message: '' });
-    } catch (err) {
-      notifications.show({
-        color: 'red',
-        title: t('designer.actionFailed', 'Action failed'),
-        message: extractErrorMessage(err),
-      });
-    }
+  function startNewVersion() {
+    setNewName(
+      `${selectedType?.name?.en ?? 'Certificate'} v${(templates[0]?.version ?? 0) + 1}`,
+    );
+    setNewOpen(true);
   }
 
-  /** Inserts a placeholder where the caret is, rather than at the end. */
-  function insertVariable(key: string) {
-    const el = editorRef.current;
-    const token = `{{${key}}}`;
-    if (!el) {
-      setSource((prev) => prev + token);
-      return;
-    }
-    const start = el.selectionStart ?? source.length;
-    const end = el.selectionEnd ?? start;
-    setSource(source.slice(0, start) + token + source.slice(end));
-    requestAnimationFrame(() => {
-      el.focus();
-      el.setSelectionRange(start + token.length, start + token.length);
-    });
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Renders the editor's current contents, not the saved row, so unsaved edits
-   * are what you see. Opened as a blob so it never leaves a file behind.
-   */
-  async function preview() {
-    try {
-      // The preview returns a PDF stream, not JSON, so it bypasses RTK Query
-      // and calls the API directly — which means spelling out the base URL and
-      // the bearer token that the shared baseQuery would normally attach.
-      const token = authStorage.getToken();
-      const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE_URL}/license-templates/preview`, {
-        method: 'POST',
-        headers: {
-          'Content-Type': 'application/json',
-          ...(token ? { Authorization: `Bearer ${token}` } : {}),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify({
-          hbsSource: source,
-          licenseTypeId: typeId,
-          pageOptions: { format: 'A4', landscape, printBackground: true },
-        }),
-      });
-      if (!response.ok) throw new Error(await response.text());
-      const url = URL.createObjectURL(await response.blob());
-      window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener');
-      // Give the new tab time to read it before revoking.
-      setTimeout(() => URL.revokeObjectURL(url), 60_000);
-    } catch (err) {
-      notifications.show({
-        color: 'red',
-        title: t('designer.previewFailed', 'Could not render the preview'),
-        message: extractErrorMessage(err),
-      });
-    }
-  }
+  const editingLocked = !canEdit || draft.isPublished;
 
   return (
     <Container size="xl" py="md">
@@ -223,74 +103,26 @@ export function CertificateDesignerPage() {
         )}
       />
 
-      <Group align="flex-end" mb="md" gap="sm">
-        <Select
-          label={t('designer.licenceType', 'Licence type')}
-          data={(licenseTypes?.items ?? []).map((type) => ({
-            value: type.id,
-            label: localized(type.name) || type.key,
-          }))}
-          value={typeId}
-          onChange={(value) => {
-            setTypeId(value);
-            setSelectedId(null);
-          }}
-          w={280}
-        />
-
-        {/* Validity lives beside the design because it is the other half of
-            what a certificate promises. */}
-        <NumberInput
-          label={t('designer.validityYears', 'Valid for (years)')}
-          description={t('designer.validityHint', 'Applied when a licence is issued')}
-          value={Number((validityMonths / 12).toFixed(2))}
-          onChange={(value) => setValidityMonths(Math.round(Number(value || 0) * 12))}
-          min={0.5}
-          max={20}
-          step={0.5}
-          decimalScale={1}
-          w={190}
-          disabled={!canEdit}
-        />
-        <Tooltip
-          label={
-            canEdit
-              ? t('designer.saveValidity', 'Save validity')
-              : t('designer.noPermission', 'You do not have permission')
-          }
-        >
-          <span>
-            <Button
-              variant="light"
-              loading={savingValidity}
-              disabled={!canEdit || !typeId || validityMonths === selectedType?.validityMonths}
-              onClick={() =>
-                run(
-                  () => updateValidity({ id: typeId as string, validityMonths }).unwrap(),
-                  t('designer.validitySaved', 'Validity updated'),
-                )
-              }
-            >
-              {t('designer.saveValidity', 'Save validity')}
-            </Button>
-          </span>
-        </Tooltip>
-
-        <div style={{ flex: 1 }} />
-
-        <Button
-          leftSection={<IconPlus size={16} />}
-          disabled={!canEdit || !typeId}
-          onClick={() => {
-            setNewName(
-              `${selectedType?.name?.en ?? 'Certificate'} v${(templates[0]?.version ?? 0) + 1}`,
-            );
-            setNewOpen(true);
-          }}
-        >
-          {t('designer.newVersion', 'New version')}
-        </Button>
-      </Group>
+      <DesignerToolbar
+        licenseTypes={licenseTypes?.items ?? []}
+        typeId={typeId}
+        onTypeChange={(value) => {
+          setTypeId(value);
+          draft.setSelectedId(null);
+        }}
+        validityMonths={validityMonths}
+        onValidityChange={setValidityMonths}
+        currentValidityMonths={selectedType?.validityMonths}
+        canEdit={canEdit}
+        savingValidity={savingValidity}
+        onSaveValidity={() =>
+          run(
+            () => updateValidity({ id: typeId as string, validityMonths }).unwrap(),
+            t('designer.validitySaved', 'Validity updated'),
+          )
+        }
+        onNewVersion={startNewVersion}
+      />
 
       {isError ? (
         <ErrorState
@@ -308,253 +140,113 @@ export function CertificateDesignerPage() {
           )}
           action={
             canEdit
-              ? {
-                  label: t('designer.newVersion', 'New version'),
-                  onClick: () => {
-                    setNewName(`${selectedType?.name?.en ?? 'Certificate'} v1`);
-                    setNewOpen(true);
-                  },
-                }
+              ? { label: t('designer.newVersion', 'New version'), onClick: startNewVersion }
               : undefined
           }
         />
       ) : (
         <Group align="flex-start" gap="md" wrap="nowrap">
-          {/* Versions */}
-          <Stack gap="xs" w={240} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }}>
-            <Text fw={600} size="sm">
-              {t('designer.versions', 'Versions')}
-            </Text>
-            {templates.map((tpl) => (
-              <Card
-                key={tpl.id}
-                withBorder
-                padding="xs"
-                onClick={() => setSelectedId(tpl.id)}
-                style={{
-                  cursor: 'pointer',
-                  borderColor:
-                    tpl.id === selectedId ? 'var(--mantine-color-blue-5)' : undefined,
-                }}
-              >
-                <Group justify="space-between" wrap="nowrap">
-                  <div style={{ minWidth: 0 }}>
-                    <Text size="sm" fw={500} truncate>
-                      {tpl.name}
-                    </Text>
-                    <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
-                      v{tpl.version}
-                    </Text>
-                  </div>
-                  <Badge size="xs" variant="light" color={STATUS_COLOR[tpl.status]}>
-                    {tpl.status}
-                  </Badge>
-                </Group>
-              </Card>
-            ))}
-          </Stack>
+          <TemplateVersionList
+            templates={templates}
+            selectedId={draft.selectedId}
+            onSelect={draft.setSelectedId}
+          />
 
-          {/* Editor */}
           <Stack gap="sm" style={{ flex: 1, minWidth: 0 }}>
-            <Group gap="sm" align="flex-end">
-              <TextInput
-                label={t('designer.name', 'Version name')}
-                value={name}
-                onChange={(e) => setName(e.currentTarget.value)}
-                disabled={!canEdit || isPublished}
-                style={{ flex: 1 }}
-              />
-              <Switch
-                label={t('designer.landscape', 'Landscape')}
-                checked={landscape}
-                onChange={(e) => setLandscape(e.currentTarget.checked)}
-                disabled={!canEdit || isPublished}
-              />
-            </Group>
-
-            {isPublished && (
-              <Paper withBorder p="xs" bg="var(--mantine-color-teal-light)">
-                <Text size="xs">
-                  {t(
-                    'designer.publishedLocked',
-                    'This version is live and cannot be edited — certificates have been issued from it. Create a new version to make changes.',
-                  )}
-                </Text>
-              </Paper>
-            )}
-
-            <Textarea
-              ref={editorRef}
-              label={t('designer.source', 'Template (Handlebars + HTML)')}
-              value={source}
-              onChange={(e) => setSource(e.currentTarget.value)}
-              disabled={!canEdit || isPublished}
-              autosize
-              minRows={18}
-              maxRows={30}
-              styles={{ input: { fontFamily: 'monospace', fontSize: 12 } }}
+            <TemplateBackgroundPanel
+              backgroundUrl={draft.backgroundUrl}
+              onBackgroundChange={draft.setBackgroundUrl}
+              disabled={editingLocked}
             />
 
-            <Group>
-              <Button
-                variant="light"
-                leftSection={<IconEye size={16} />}
-                onClick={preview}
-                disabled={!source.trim()}
-              >
-                {t('designer.preview', 'Preview PDF')}
-              </Button>
-              <Button
-                leftSection={<IconDeviceFloppy size={16} />}
-                loading={saving}
-                disabled={!canEdit || isPublished || !dirty}
-                onClick={() =>
-                  run(
-                    () =>
-                      updateTemplate({
-                        id: selected!.id,
-                        name,
-                        hbsSource: source,
-                        pageOptions: { format: 'A4', landscape, printBackground: true },
-                      }).unwrap(),
-                    t('designer.saved', 'Draft saved'),
-                  )
-                }
-              >
-                {t('designer.save', 'Save draft')}
-              </Button>
-              <Tooltip
-                label={
-                  !canPublish
-                    ? t('designer.noPublishPermission', 'You cannot publish designs')
-                    : dirty
-                      ? t('designer.saveFirst', 'Save your changes first')
-                      : t('designer.publishHint', 'Makes this the live certificate design')
-                }
-              >
-                <span>
-                  <Button
-                    color="teal"
-                    leftSection={<IconRosetteDiscountCheck size={16} />}
-                    loading={publishing}
-                    disabled={!canPublish || isPublished || dirty || !selected}
-                    onClick={() =>
-                      run(
-                        () => publishTemplate(selected!.id).unwrap(),
-                        t('designer.published', 'Design published'),
-                      )
-                    }
-                  >
-                    {t('designer.publish', 'Publish')}
-                  </Button>
-                </span>
-              </Tooltip>
-              <div style={{ flex: 1 }} />
-              {selected && isPublished && canPublish && (
-                <Button
-                  variant="subtle"
-                  color="orange"
-                  onClick={() =>
-                    run(
-                      () => archiveTemplate(selected.id).unwrap(),
-                      t('designer.archived', 'Design withdrawn'),
-                    )
-                  }
-                >
-                  {t('designer.archive', 'Withdraw')}
-                </Button>
-              )}
-              {selected && !isPublished && canEdit && (
-                <Tooltip label={t('designer.delete', 'Delete draft')}>
-                  <ActionIcon
-                    variant="subtle"
-                    color="red"
-                    aria-label={t('designer.delete', 'Delete draft')}
-                    onClick={() =>
-                      run(
-                        () => deleteTemplate(selected.id).unwrap(),
-                        t('designer.deleted', 'Draft deleted'),
-                      )
-                    }
-                  >
-                    <IconTrash size={16} />
-                  </ActionIcon>
-                </Tooltip>
-              )}
-            </Group>
+            <TemplateEditor
+              name={draft.name}
+              onNameChange={draft.setName}
+              source={draft.source}
+              onSourceChange={draft.setSource}
+              landscape={draft.landscape}
+              onLandscapeChange={draft.setLandscape}
+              editorRef={draft.editorRef}
+              disabled={editingLocked}
+              isPublished={draft.isPublished}
+            />
+
+            <TemplateActionBar
+              hasSource={Boolean(draft.source.trim())}
+              hasSelection={Boolean(draft.selected)}
+              isPublished={draft.isPublished}
+              dirty={draft.dirty}
+              canEdit={canEdit}
+              canPublish={canPublish}
+              saving={saving}
+              publishing={publishing}
+              onPreview={() =>
+                openPreview({
+                  hbsSource: draft.source,
+                  licenseTypeId: typeId,
+                  landscape: draft.landscape,
+                })
+              }
+              onSave={() =>
+                run(
+                  () =>
+                    updateTemplate({
+                      id: draft.selected!.id,
+                      name: draft.name,
+                      hbsSource: draft.source,
+                      pageOptions: pageOptionsFor(draft.landscape),
+                      backgroundUrl: draft.backgroundUrl || undefined,
+                    }).unwrap(),
+                  t('designer.saved', 'Draft saved'),
+                )
+              }
+              onPublish={() =>
+                run(
+                  () => publishTemplate(draft.selected!.id).unwrap(),
+                  t('designer.published', 'Design published'),
+                )
+              }
+              onArchive={() =>
+                run(
+                  () => archiveTemplate(draft.selected!.id).unwrap(),
+                  t('designer.archived', 'Design withdrawn'),
+                )
+              }
+              onDelete={() =>
+                run(
+                  () => deleteTemplate(draft.selected!.id).unwrap(),
+                  t('designer.deleted', 'Draft deleted'),
+                )
+              }
+            />
           </Stack>
 
-          {/* Placeholders */}
-          <Stack gap="xs" w={230} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }}>
-            <Text fw={600} size="sm">
-              {t('designer.variables', 'Placeholders')}
-            </Text>
-            <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
-              {t('designer.variablesHint', 'Click to insert at the cursor.')}
-            </Text>
-            <ScrollArea.Autosize mah={480} type="hover">
-              <Stack gap={4}>
-                {variables.map((variable) => (
-                  <Tooltip key={variable.key} label={variable.label} position="left">
-                    <Button
-                      size="compact-xs"
-                      variant="default"
-                      justify="flex-start"
-                      disabled={!canEdit || isPublished}
-                      onClick={() => insertVariable(variable.key)}
-                    >
-                      <Code fz={10}>{`{{${variable.key}}}`}</Code>
-                    </Button>
-                  </Tooltip>
-                ))}
-              </Stack>
-            </ScrollArea.Autosize>
-          </Stack>
+          <TemplateVariableList
+            variables={variables}
+            disabled={editingLocked}
+            onInsert={draft.insertVariable}
+          />
         </Group>
       )}
 
-      <Modal
+      <NewVersionModal
         opened={newOpen}
+        name={newName}
+        onNameChange={setNewName}
+        creating={creating}
         onClose={() => setNewOpen(false)}
-        title={t('designer.newVersion', 'New version')}
-      >
-        <Stack>
-          <TextInput
-            label={t('designer.name', 'Version name')}
-            value={newName}
-            onChange={(e) => setNewName(e.currentTarget.value)}
-            withAsterisk
-          />
-          <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
-            {t(
-              'designer.newHint',
-              'Starts from the live design, or the built-in layout if this type has none.',
-            )}
-          </Text>
-          <ModalFooter>
-            <Button variant="default" onClick={() => setNewOpen(false)}>
-              {t('common.cancel', 'Cancel')}
-            </Button>
-            <Button
-              loading={creating}
-              disabled={!newName.trim()}
-              onClick={() =>
-                run(async () => {
-                  const created = await createTemplate({
-                    licenseTypeId: typeId as string,
-                    name: newName.trim(),
-                    hbsSource: templates.length ? undefined : builtIn?.hbsSource,
-                  }).unwrap();
-                  setSelectedId(created.id);
-                  setNewOpen(false);
-                }, t('designer.created', 'Draft created'))
-              }
-            >
-              {t('designer.create', 'Create')}
-            </Button>
-          </ModalFooter>
-        </Stack>
-      </Modal>
+        onCreate={() =>
+          run(async () => {
+            const created = await createTemplate({
+              licenseTypeId: typeId as string,
+              name: newName.trim(),
+              hbsSource: templates.length ? undefined : builtIn?.hbsSource,
+            }).unwrap();
+            draft.setSelectedId(created.id);
+            setNewOpen(false);
+          }, t('designer.created', 'Draft created'))
+        }
+      />
     </Container>
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/configuration/components/StcwMappingPanel.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/configuration/components/StcwMappingPanel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..badd1c36e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/configuration/components/StcwMappingPanel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+import { Badge, Group, Paper, Stack, Table, Text } from '@mantine/core';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { useLocalized, type LicenseType } from '@ema-platform/api';
+
+interface Props {
+  licenseType: LicenseType;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The STCW identity of a certificate type — regulation, level, and the
+ * function and capacity rows a Certificate of Competency prints.
+ *
+ * Read-only for now: these are seeded configuration, and editing them safely
+ * needs the approval workflow the designer guide describes. Showing them
+ * matters regardless — an officer configuring fees or documents has no other
+ * way to see what the certificate will actually claim.
+ */
+export function StcwMappingPanel({ licenseType }: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const localized = useLocalized();
+
+  if (!licenseType.stcwControlled && !licenseType.certificateCategory) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const functions = licenseType.stcwFunctions ?? [];
+  const capacities = licenseType.stcwCapacities ?? [];
+
+  return (
+    <Paper withBorder p="md" radius="md">
+      <Stack gap="sm">
+        <Group gap="xs">
+          <Text fw={600} size="sm">
+            {t('configuration.stcw.title', 'STCW mapping')}
+          </Text>
+          {licenseType.certificateCategory && (
+            <Badge size="sm" variant="light">
+              {licenseType.certificateCategory}
+            </Badge>
+          )}
+          {licenseType.stcwControlled && (
+            <Badge size="sm" variant="light" color="teal">
+              {t('configuration.stcw.controlled', 'STCW controlled')}
+            </Badge>
+          )}
+        </Group>
+
+        <Group gap="xl">
+          <Field
+            label={t('configuration.stcw.regulation', 'Regulation')}
+            value={licenseType.stcwRegulation}
+          />
+          <Field
+            label={t('configuration.stcw.codeSection', 'Code section')}
+            value={licenseType.stcwCodeSection}
+          />
+          <Field
+            label={t('configuration.stcw.department', 'Department')}
+            value={licenseType.stcwDepartment}
+          />
+          <Field
+            label={t('configuration.stcw.level', 'Level')}
+            value={licenseType.competencyLevel}
+          />
+        </Group>
+
+        {functions.length > 0 && (
+          <Stack gap={4}>
+            <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" tt="uppercase" fw={700}>
+              {t('configuration.stcw.functions', 'Functions')}
+            </Text>
+            <Table withTableBorder withColumnBorders fz="xs">
+              <Table.Thead>
+                <Table.Tr>
+                  <Table.Th>{t('configuration.stcw.function', 'Function')}</Table.Th>
+                  <Table.Th>{t('configuration.stcw.level', 'Level')}</Table.Th>
+                  <Table.Th>
+                    {t('configuration.stcw.limitation', 'Limitation')}
+                  </Table.Th>
+                </Table.Tr>
+              </Table.Thead>
+              <Table.Tbody>
+                {functions.map((row, i) => (
+                  <Table.Tr key={`${localized(row.function)}-${i}`}>
+                    <Table.Td>{localized(row.function)}</Table.Td>
+                    <Table.Td>{row.level}</Table.Td>
+                    <Table.Td>
+                      {row.limitation
+                        ? localized(row.limitation)
+                        : t('configuration.stcw.none', 'None')}
+                    </Table.Td>
+                  </Table.Tr>
+                ))}
+              </Table.Tbody>
+            </Table>
+          </Stack>
+        )}
+
+        {capacities.length > 0 && (
+          <Stack gap={4}>
+            <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" tt="uppercase" fw={700}>
+              {t('configuration.stcw.capacities', 'Capacities')}
+            </Text>
+            <Table withTableBorder withColumnBorders fz="xs">
+              <Table.Thead>
+                <Table.Tr>
+                  <Table.Th>{t('configuration.stcw.capacity', 'Capacity')}</Table.Th>
+                  <Table.Th>
+                    {t('configuration.stcw.limitation', 'Limitation')}
+                  </Table.Th>
+                </Table.Tr>
+              </Table.Thead>
+              <Table.Tbody>
+                {capacities.map((row, i) => (
+                  <Table.Tr key={`${localized(row.capacity)}-${i}`}>
+                    <Table.Td>{localized(row.capacity)}</Table.Td>
+                    <Table.Td>
+                      {row.limitation
+                        ? localized(row.limitation)
+                        : t('configuration.stcw.none', 'None')}
+                    </Table.Td>
+                  </Table.Tr>
+                ))}
+              </Table.Tbody>
+            </Table>
+          </Stack>
+        )}
+
+        {licenseType.prerequisiteLicenseKeys?.length ? (
+          <Stack gap={4}>
+            <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" tt="uppercase" fw={700}>
+              {t('configuration.stcw.prerequisites', 'Must already hold')}
+            </Text>
+            <Group gap="xs">
+              {licenseType.prerequisiteLicenseKeys.map((key) => (
+                <Badge key={key} size="sm" variant="outline">
+                  {key}
+                </Badge>
+              ))}
+            </Group>
+          </Stack>
+        ) : null}
+      </Stack>
+    </Paper>
+  );
+}
+
+function Field({ label, value }: { label: string; value?: string | null }) {
+  return (
+    <div>
+      <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+        {label}
+      </Text>
+      <Text size="sm" fw={600}>
+        {value || '—'}
+      </Text>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/components/ScheduleExamModal.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/components/ScheduleExamModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..25210ad5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/components/ScheduleExamModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { Alert, Button, Modal, Select, Stack, Text, TextInput } from '@mantine/core';
+import { IconCalendarEvent } from '@tabler/icons-react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { ModalFooter } from '@ema-platform/ui';
+import { useGetExamsQuery } from '../../exam/api/exam-api';
+
+interface Props {
+  opened: boolean;
+  applicantName: string;
+  loading: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  onConfirm: (payload: {
+    examId: string;
+    admissionNumber?: string;
+    examDate?: string;
+  }) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Places a candidate who has paid the examination fee into an existing sitting.
+ *
+ * Sessions are picked from the exam calendar rather than typed, because the
+ * candidate joins a scheduled sitting — this is an assignment, not the creation
+ * of a per-candidate appointment.
+ */
+export function ScheduleExamModal({
+  opened,
+  applicantName,
+  loading,
+  onClose,
+  onConfirm,
+}: Props) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const { data: exams, isLoading } = useGetExamsQuery(undefined, { skip: !opened });
+  const [examId, setExamId] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [admissionNumber, setAdmissionNumber] = useState('');
+
+  const options = (exams?.items ?? []).map((exam) => ({
+    value: exam.id,
+    label: [exam.title?.en ?? exam.title?.am ?? t('exam.untitled', 'Untitled exam'), exam.date]
+      .filter(Boolean)
+      .join(' — '),
+  }));
+  const selected = exams?.items?.find((exam) => exam.id === examId);
+
+  function confirm() {
+    if (!examId) return;
+    onConfirm({
+      examId,
+      admissionNumber: admissionNumber.trim() || undefined,
+      examDate: selected?.date ? String(selected.date) : undefined,
+    });
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Modal
+      opened={opened}
+      onClose={onClose}
+      title={t('review.actions.scheduleExam', 'Schedule exam')}
+    >
+      <Stack>
+        <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+          {t('review.scheduleExam.intro', {
+            defaultValue:
+              'Assign {{applicant}} to a scheduled sitting. They will be notified with the date and their admission number.',
+            applicant: applicantName,
+          })}
+        </Text>
+
+        {!isLoading && options.length === 0 ? (
+          <Alert color="orange" icon={<IconCalendarEvent size={16} />}>
+            {t(
+              'review.scheduleExam.noSessions',
+              'No exam sessions exist yet. Create one in the Exams area first.',
+            )}
+          </Alert>
+        ) : (
+          <Select
+            label={t('review.scheduleExam.session', 'Exam session')}
+            placeholder={t('review.scheduleExam.pick', 'Choose a sitting')}
+            data={options}
+            value={examId}
+            onChange={setExamId}
+            disabled={isLoading}
+            searchable
+            withAsterisk
+          />
+        )}
+
+        <TextInput
+          label={t('review.scheduleExam.admissionNumber', 'Admission number')}
+          description={t(
+            'review.scheduleExam.admissionHint',
+            'Leave blank to let the system issue one.',
+          )}
+          value={admissionNumber}
+          onChange={(e) => setAdmissionNumber(e.currentTarget.value)}
+        />
+
+        <ModalFooter>
+          <Button variant="default" onClick={onClose}>
+            {t('common.cancel', 'Cancel')}
+          </Button>
+          <Button loading={loading} disabled={!examId} onClick={confirm}>
+            {t('review.scheduleExam.confirm', 'Schedule')}
+          </Button>
+        </ModalFooter>
+      </Stack>
+    </Modal>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/config/actions.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/config/actions.ts
index 02ccbd62e..4c02b4988 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/config/actions.ts
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/config/actions.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ export type ActionId =
   | 'final-approve'
   | 'request-adjustment'
   | 'reject'
+  | 'schedule-exam'
   | 'confirm-payment'
   | 'print'
   | 'copy-link'
@@ -190,6 +191,17 @@ export const ACTIONS: ActionDefinition[] = [
     requiresReason: true,
     irreversible: true,
   },
+  {
+    id: 'schedule-exam',
+    tier: 'primary',
+    labelKey: 'review.actions.scheduleExam',
+    // Only after the examination fee clears — scheduling an unpaid candidate
+    // is what the EXAM_PAID gate exists to prevent.
+    from: ['EXAM_PAID'],
+    permissions: ['can:schedule:exam-candidate'],
+    emphasis: 'filled',
+    color: 'cyan',
+  },
   {
     id: 'confirm-payment',
     tier: 'primary',
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseReviewPage/index.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseReviewPage/index.tsx
index 360969bc2..87b62ca14 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseReviewPage/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseReviewPage/index.tsx
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import {
   useAssignApplicationMutation,
   useCompleteReviewMutation,
   useConfirmPaymentMutation,
+  useScheduleExamMutation,
   useEscalateApplicationMutation,
   useFinalApproveMutation,
   useGetApplicationForReviewQuery,
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ import {
 } from '../../components/DecisionConfirmModal';
 import { ActivityRail } from '../../components/ActivityRail';
 import { DocumentsTab } from '../../components/DocumentsTab';
+import { ScheduleExamModal } from '../../components/ScheduleExamModal';
 import { computeSla } from '../../sla';
 import { reviewStaffColumns } from './columns';
 import { evaluateEligibility, presentationFor } from '../../config/license-types';
@@ -152,6 +154,7 @@ export function LicenseReviewPage() {
   const [scheduleInspection] = useScheduleInspectionMutation();
   const [recordResult] = useRecordInspectionResultMutation();
   const [confirmPayment] = useConfirmPaymentMutation();
+  const [scheduleExam, { isLoading: schedulingExam }] = useScheduleExamMutation();
   const [holdApplication] = useHoldApplicationMutation();
   const [resumeApplication] = useResumeApplicationMutation();
   const [escalateApplication] = useEscalateApplicationMutation();
@@ -169,6 +172,7 @@ export function LicenseReviewPage() {
   const [inspectionOpen, setInspectionOpen] = useState(false);
   const [inspectionDate, setInspectionDate] = useState('');
   const [resultOpen, setResultOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [scheduleExamOpen, setScheduleExamOpen] = useState(false);
   const [findings, setFindings] = useState('');
   const [checklist, setChecklist] = useState<
     Record<string, 'PASS' | 'FAIL' | 'NEEDS_CORRECTION'>
@@ -329,6 +333,11 @@ export function LicenseReviewPage() {
       case 'record-inspection':
         setResultOpen(true);
         return;
+      // Needs a session picked before anything is sent, so it opens its own
+      // modal rather than going through the generic confirm step.
+      case 'schedule-exam':
+        setScheduleExamOpen(true);
+        return;
       case 'copy-link':
         navigator.clipboard.writeText(window.location.href);
         notifications.show({
@@ -905,6 +914,30 @@ export function LicenseReviewPage() {
         onConfirm={submitDecision}
       />
 
+      <ScheduleExamModal
+        opened={scheduleExamOpen}
+        applicantName={app.companyName ?? t('review.theApplicant', 'the applicant')}
+        loading={schedulingExam}
+        onClose={() => setScheduleExamOpen(false)}
+        onConfirm={async (payload) => {
+          try {
+            await scheduleExam({ id, ...payload }).unwrap();
+            notifications.show({
+              color: 'teal',
+              title: t('review.done.scheduleExam', 'Exam scheduled'),
+              message: '',
+            });
+            setScheduleExamOpen(false);
+          } catch (err) {
+            notifications.show({
+              color: 'red',
+              title: t('review.actionFailed', 'Action failed'),
+              message: extractErrorMessage(err),
+            });
+          }
+        }}
+      />
+
       <Modal
         opened={inspectionOpen}
         onClose={() => setInspectionOpen(false)}
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/am.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/am.ts
index 0ea5d86d0..34b86989e 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/am.ts
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/am.ts
@@ -933,6 +933,7 @@ export const am: Translations = {
       finalApprove: "አጽድቅ እና ስጥ",
       requestAdjustment: "ማስተካከያ ጠይቅ",
       reject: "አትቀበል",
+      scheduleExam: "የፈተና ቀጠሮ ስጥ",
       confirmPayment: "ክፍያ አረጋግጥ",
       print: "ሰነድ አትም",
       copyLink: "አገናኝ ቅዳ",
@@ -975,6 +976,7 @@ export const am: Translations = {
       resume: "ማመልከቻ {{number}} ወደ ታገደበት ደረጃ ይመልሳል።",
       escalate: "ማመልከቻ {{number}} ለውሳኔ ወደ የበላይ ኃላፊ ያሳድጋል።",
       "confirm-payment": "ለማመልከቻ {{number}} ክፍያ ያረጋግጣል።",
+      "schedule-exam": "ለማመልከቻ {{number}} {{applicant}}ን ለፈተና ክፍለ ጊዜ ይመድባል።",
     },
     notifications: {
       fallback: "ውድ {{applicant}}፣ በማመልከቻ {{number}} ላይ ዝማኔ አለ፦ {{action}}።",
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/en.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/en.ts
index cda11d8a8..e69198c85 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/en.ts
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/i18n/locales/en.ts
@@ -934,6 +934,7 @@ export const en = {
       finalApprove: 'Approve & issue',
       requestAdjustment: 'Request adjustment',
       reject: 'Reject',
+      scheduleExam: 'Schedule exam',
       confirmPayment: 'Confirm payment',
       print: 'Print dossier',
       copyLink: 'Copy link',
@@ -975,6 +976,7 @@ export const en = {
       resume: 'Returns application {{number}} to the stage it was held from.',
       escalate: 'Raises application {{number}} to a supervisor for a decision.',
       'confirm-payment': 'Confirms settlement for application {{number}}.',
+      'schedule-exam': 'Assigns {{applicant}} to an exam session for application {{number}}.',
     },
     notifications: {
       fallback: 'Dear {{applicant}}, there is an update on application {{number}}: {{action}}.',
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/layouts/BackofficeLayout.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/layouts/BackofficeLayout.tsx
index d1665629a..252991d04 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/layouts/BackofficeLayout.tsx
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/layouts/BackofficeLayout.tsx
@@ -35,7 +35,16 @@ export function BackofficeLayout() {
   const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState(false);
   const user = useAppSelector((state) => state.auth.user);
   const layoutMode = useAppSelector((state) => state.preferences.layoutMode);
-  const { can } = usePermissions();
+  const { permissions: granted, known } = usePermissions();
+
+  // TEMPORARY diagnostic — remove once the sidebar is confirmed working.
+  // eslint-disable-next-line no-console
+  console.log(
+    '[NAV] known=', known,
+    'granted=', granted.length,
+    '| cookies:', document.cookie.split('; ').map((c) => c.split('=')[0]).filter((n) => n.includes('token')),
+    '| token tail:', (document.cookie.match(/ema-backoffice-auth-token=([^;]+)/)?.[1] ?? 'NONE').slice(-12),
+  );
 
   // Badges reflect real pending work. One grouped request on a timer, shared
   // by the sidebar and the top bar via the RTK cache.
@@ -53,17 +62,10 @@ export function BackofficeLayout() {
           : item,
       ),
     }));
-    return filterByPermissions(
-      withBadges,
-      // `can` already fails open when the token carries no permission claim,
-      // so this only ever removes items we are sure the user cannot use.
-      withBadges
-        .flatMap((section) => section.items)
-        .flatMap((item) => [item, ...(item.children ?? [])])
-        .flatMap((item) => item.permissions ?? [])
-        .filter((permission) => can([permission])),
-    );
-  }, [counts?.unassigned, can]);
+    // Unfiltered until the grant list has loaded, matching PortalLayout and
+    // RequirePermission: a moment of extra nav beats a flash of empty nav.
+    return known ? filterByPermissions(withBadges, granted) : withBadges;
+  }, [counts?.unassigned, granted, known]);
 
   /** Flat list used for breadcrumbs and active-route lookup. */
   const navItems = useMemo<NavItem[]>(
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/store/index.ts b/apps/backoffice/src/app/store/index.ts
index 66f11f041..6d01daae8 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/store/index.ts
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/store/index.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 import { configureStore } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
-import { baseApi, configureTokenRefresh } from '@ema-platform/api';
+import {
+  baseApi,
+  configureSessionScope,
+  configureTokenRefresh,
+} from '@ema-platform/api';
 import {
   authReducer,
   signupReducer,
@@ -13,6 +17,9 @@ import type { AuthUser, CurrentProfile } from '@ema-platform/auth';
 import { preferencesReducer } from './preferences.slice';
 
 configureAuthStorage('ema-backoffice', true);
+// Cookies are shared across ports on localhost, so the API layer must be told
+// which app it belongs to — otherwise it reads the portal's token.
+configureSessionScope('ema-backoffice');
 
 const preloadedAuth = (() => {
   const token = authStorage.getToken();
diff --git a/apps/backoffice/vite.config.mts b/apps/backoffice/vite.config.mts
index 874ba1946..331bc27fd 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/vite.config.mts
+++ b/apps/backoffice/vite.config.mts
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ import { nxViteTsPaths } from '@nx/vite/plugins/nx-tsconfig-paths.plugin';
 
 export default defineConfig({
   root: __dirname,
+  // Env lives at the workspace root, shared with the portal — without this
+  // Vite looks in apps/backoffice and VITE_BASE_API_URL silently falls back to
+  // its built-in default.
+  envDir: '../../',
   cacheDir: '../../node_modules/.vite/apps/backoffice',
   server: {
     port: 4201,
diff --git a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/ExamStageActions.tsx b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/ExamStageActions.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..baae745b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/ExamStageActions.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+import { Button } from '@mantine/core';
+import type { TFunction } from 'i18next';
+import type { LicenseApplication } from '@ema-platform/api';
+
+interface Props {
+  app: LicenseApplication;
+  t: TFunction;
+  requesting: boolean;
+  paying: boolean;
+  onRequestExamFee: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
+  onPay: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * What the candidate can do while an examined certificate is in its exam leg.
+ *
+ * Kept apart from the general actions column because these statuses only ever
+ * occur on types that examine — folding them into that column would put five
+ * more branches into a cell that already reads as a chain of ternaries.
+ *
+ * Returns null for every other status, so the caller can render it
+ * unconditionally.
+ */
+export function ExamStageActions({
+  app,
+  t,
+  requesting,
+  paying,
+  onRequestExamFee,
+  onPay,
+}: Props) {
+  // Eligible but not yet committed to sitting, or sat and not passed: both are
+  // the same decision — ask for the fee that buys a sitting.
+  if (app.status === 'ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED' || app.status === 'EXAM_FAILED') {
+    const retake = app.status === 'EXAM_FAILED';
+    return (
+      <Button
+        size="xs"
+        variant="filled"
+        color={retake ? 'orange' : 'teal'}
+        loading={requesting}
+        onClick={() => onRequestExamFee(app)}
+      >
+        {retake
+          ? t('applications.actions.bookRetake', 'Book a resit')
+          : t('applications.actions.bookExam', 'Book exam')}
+      </Button>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (app.status === 'EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING') {
+    return (
+      <Button
+        size="xs"
+        variant="filled"
+        color="yellow"
+        loading={paying}
+        onClick={() => onPay(app)}
+      >
+        {t('applications.actions.payExamFee', {
+          defaultValue: 'Pay exam fee ({{amount}} {{currency}})',
+          amount: Number(app.feeAmount ?? 0).toLocaleString(),
+          currency: app.feeCurrency,
+        })}
+      </Button>
+    );
+  }
+
+  // Paid and scheduled are both waiting states — nothing for the candidate to
+  // do, so say so rather than offering a button that does nothing.
+  if (app.status === 'EXAM_PAID' || app.status === 'EXAM_SCHEDULED') {
+    return (
+      <Button size="xs" variant="subtle" disabled>
+        {app.status === 'EXAM_PAID'
+          ? t('applications.actions.awaitingDate', 'Awaiting exam date')
+          : t('applications.actions.examScheduled', 'Exam scheduled')}
+      </Button>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
diff --git a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/actions.tsx b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/actions.tsx
index 9e823f994..0b2812650 100644
--- a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/actions.tsx
+++ b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/actions.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,16 @@ import type { TFunction } from 'i18next';
 import type { AdvancedColumn } from '@ema-platform/ui';
 import type { LicenseApplication } from '@ema-platform/api';
 import { PORTAL_PERMISSIONS } from '@ema-platform/auth';
+import { ExamStageActions } from '../../components/ExamStageActions';
+
+/** Statuses whose primary action is supplied by {@link ExamStageActions}. */
+const EXAM_STAGE_STATUSES = [
+  'ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED',
+  'EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING',
+  'EXAM_PAID',
+  'EXAM_SCHEDULED',
+  'EXAM_FAILED',
+];
 
 export function applicationActionsColumn(
   t: TFunction,
@@ -13,9 +23,12 @@ export function applicationActionsColumn(
     bypassEnabled: boolean;
     bypassing: boolean;
     isPaying: boolean;
+    /** True while the exam fee is being raised for a booking or a resit. */
+    requestingExamFee: boolean;
     onBypass: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
     onCertificate: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
     onPay: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
+    onRequestExamFee: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
     onOpen: (app: LicenseApplication) => void;
   },
 ): AdvancedColumn<LicenseApplication> {
@@ -27,7 +40,20 @@ export function applicationActionsColumn(
       const app = row.original;
       return (
         <Group gap="xs" justify="flex-end" wrap="nowrap">
-          {deps.bypassEnabled && app.status === 'PAYMENT_PENDING' && (
+          {/* Renders only during the exam leg; null everywhere else. */}
+          <ExamStageActions
+            app={app}
+            t={t}
+            requesting={deps.requestingExamFee}
+            paying={deps.isPaying}
+            onRequestExamFee={deps.onRequestExamFee}
+            onPay={deps.onPay}
+          />
+          {/* Both fee stops are bypassable — an examined certificate is
+              otherwise untestable without a live gateway. */}
+          {deps.bypassEnabled &&
+            (app.status === 'PAYMENT_PENDING' ||
+              app.status === 'EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING') && (
             <Button
               size="xs"
               variant="default"
@@ -56,8 +82,11 @@ export function applicationActionsColumn(
             </Button>
           )}
           {/* In PAYMENT_PENDING this button initiates payment, so it needs
-              that grant; every other status it merely opens the wizard. */}
-          {(app.status !== 'PAYMENT_PENDING' ||
+              that grant; every other status it merely opens the wizard.
+              Suppressed during the exam leg, where ExamStageActions already
+              supplies the action that matters. */}
+          {!EXAM_STAGE_STATUSES.includes(app.status) &&
+            (app.status !== 'PAYMENT_PENDING' ||
             deps.can([PORTAL_PERMISSIONS.INITIATE_PAYMENT])) && (
           <Button
             size="xs"
diff --git a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/index.tsx b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/index.tsx
index 0162d5486..e049929e9 100644
--- a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/pages/MyApplicationsPage/index.tsx
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ import {
   useGetMyApplicationsQuery,
   useGetMyLicensesQuery,
   useGetPaymentCapabilitiesQuery,
+  useRequestExamPaymentMutation,
   type LicenseStatus,
 } from '@ema-platform/api';
 import {
@@ -98,6 +99,8 @@ export function MyApplicationsPage() {
   const { data: capabilities } = useGetPaymentCapabilitiesQuery();
   const { data: licences, isFetching: isFetchingLicences } = useGetMyLicensesQuery();
   const [bypassPayment, { isLoading: bypassing }] = useBypassPaymentMutation();
+  const [requestExamPayment, { isLoading: requestingExamFee }] =
+    useRequestExamPaymentMutation();
   const [getCertificateUrl] = useGetCertificateUrlMutation();
   const { renewLicense, isRenewing } = useRenewLicense();
   const [isDownloadingCert, setIsDownloadingCert] = useState(false);
@@ -131,6 +134,33 @@ export function MyApplicationsPage() {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Raises the examination fee, for a first sitting or a resit.
+   *
+   * Payment is a separate step: this only moves the application to
+   * EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING, and the Pay button that then appears hands off to
+   * the provider the same way every other fee does.
+   */
+  async function requestExamFee(applicationId: string) {
+    try {
+      await requestExamPayment(applicationId).unwrap();
+      notifications.show({
+        color: 'teal',
+        title: t('applications.examFeeRequested', 'Exam fee ready'),
+        message: t(
+          'applications.examFeeRequestedBody',
+          'Pay the examination fee and you will be scheduled for a sitting.',
+        ),
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      notifications.show({
+        color: 'red',
+        title: t('applications.examFeeFailed', 'Could not book the exam'),
+        message: extractErrorMessage(err),
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Opens the certificate belonging to an application.
    *
@@ -247,9 +277,11 @@ export function MyApplicationsPage() {
       bypassEnabled: capabilities?.bypassEnabled ?? false,
       bypassing,
       isPaying,
+      requestingExamFee,
       onBypass: (app) => handleBypass(app.id),
       onCertificate: (app) => openCertificateForApplication(app.id),
       onPay: (app) => pay(app.id),
+      onRequestExamFee: (app) => requestExamFee(app.id),
       onOpen: (app) =>
         navigate(`/licensing/${app.licenseType?.key ?? 'FREIGHT_FORWARDER'}/applications/${app.id}`),
     }),
diff --git a/apps/portal/src/app/store/index.ts b/apps/portal/src/app/store/index.ts
index f68e7bfaa..0547d3262 100644
--- a/apps/portal/src/app/store/index.ts
+++ b/apps/portal/src/app/store/index.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 import { configureStore } from "@reduxjs/toolkit";
-import { baseApi, configureTokenRefresh } from "@ema-platform/api";
+import {
+  baseApi,
+  configureSessionScope,
+  configureTokenRefresh,
+} from "@ema-platform/api";
 import {
   authReducer,
   signupReducer,
@@ -12,6 +16,35 @@ import {
 import type { AuthUser, CurrentProfile } from "@ema-platform/auth";
 
 configureAuthStorage("ema-portal", true);
+// See the backoffice store: cookies ignore the port, so the API layer is told
+// which app it is rather than guessing from a shared jar.
+configureSessionScope("ema-portal");
+
+// Dev-only preview mode (VITE_USE_MOCKS=true): seed a fake session so
+// ProtectedRoute (which only checks that a token exists) treats the user as
+// logged in without a real backend to authenticate against. Only runs when
+// no real session is already present, so a genuine login is never clobbered.
+if (
+  (import.meta as { env?: Record<string, string> }).env?.["VITE_USE_MOCKS"] === "true" &&
+  !authStorage.getToken()
+) {
+  authStorage.setToken("mock-dev-token");
+  authStorage.setRefreshToken("mock-dev-refresh-token");
+  authStorage.setUser<AuthUser>({
+    id: "user-mock-001",
+    email: "abebe.tesfaye@example.et",
+    username: "abebe.tesfaye",
+    phoneNumber: "+251911223344",
+    name: { am: "አበበ ተስፋዬ", en: "Abebe Tesfaye" },
+    status: "ACTIVE",
+    sharepointId: null,
+    hasSetPassword: true,
+    hasFinishedRegistration: true,
+    hasFinishedDMSOnboarding: true,
+    isPhoneNumberVerified: true,
+    userType: "PORTAL",
+  });
+}
 
 const preloadedAuth = (() => {
   const token = authStorage.getToken();
diff --git a/apps/portal/vite.config.mts b/apps/portal/vite.config.mts
index 66e5b1977..d0e63f422 100644
--- a/apps/portal/vite.config.mts
+++ b/apps/portal/vite.config.mts
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ import { nxViteTsPaths } from '@nx/vite/plugins/nx-tsconfig-paths.plugin';
 
 export default defineConfig({
   root: __dirname,
+  // Env lives at the workspace root, shared with the backoffice — without this
+  // Vite looks in apps/portal and VITE_BASE_API_URL silently falls back to its
+  // built-in default.
+  envDir: '../../',
   cacheDir: '../../node_modules/.vite/apps/portal',
   server: { port: 4200, host: 'localhost' },
   preview: { port: 4200, host: 'localhost' },
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/index.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/index.ts
index 2536b6989..b76a81c12 100644
--- a/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/index.ts
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/index.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,17 @@
 import { createApi } from "@reduxjs/toolkit/query/react";
 import { baseQueryWithReauth } from "./base-query-with-reauth";
+import { mockBaseQuery } from "./mock-base-query";
 import { tagTypes } from "./tagTypes";
+
+// Dev-only preview mode: set VITE_USE_MOCKS=true (repo-root .env.local) to
+// serve the four preview feature areas from static sample data instead of a
+// live backend. See mock-base-query.ts for what is and isn't covered.
+const useMocks =
+  (import.meta as { env?: Record<string, string> }).env?.["VITE_USE_MOCKS"] === "true";
+
 export const baseApi = createApi({
   reducerPath: "baseApi",
-  baseQuery: baseQueryWithReauth,
+  baseQuery: useMocks ? mockBaseQuery : baseQueryWithReauth,
   tagTypes: ["Api", "backOfficeApi", "portalApi", ...tagTypes],
   endpoints: () => ({}),
 });
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/mock-base-query.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/mock-base-query.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8f2244afc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/mock-base-query.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,385 @@
+import type { BaseQueryFn } from '@reduxjs/toolkit/query/react';
+import type { FetchArgs, FetchBaseQueryError } from '@reduxjs/toolkit/query';
+import { baseQueryWithReauth } from './base-query-with-reauth';
+import {
+  mockApplicationDetails,
+  mockApplications,
+  mockLicenses,
+  mockLicenseTypeRequirements,
+  mockLicenseTypes,
+  mockMyExamAppeals,
+  mockMyExamRegistrations,
+  mockMyExamResults,
+  mockNotifications,
+  mockOpenExams,
+  mockProfileMeResponse,
+  mockVessels,
+} from './mock-data';
+
+/**
+ * Dev-only mock `BaseQueryFn`, opt-in via `VITE_USE_MOCKS=true` (see
+ * `base-api/index.ts`).
+ *
+ * Design choice: this is a partial mock, not a full fake backend. Each
+ * handler below matches a specific method + URL pattern for the four preview
+ * feature areas (vessel registration, seafarer registration, CoC
+ * certificates, exams) plus the shared profile/permissions/licensing-config
+ * endpoints they depend on. Anything not matched here falls through to the
+ * real `baseQueryWithReauth`, so login, signup, and any endpoint outside the
+ * four areas keep talking to a real backend if one is reachable. This was
+ * chosen over a full-mock/404 approach so the rest of the app (profile
+ * editing, payments, other license types, backoffice) is unaffected and a
+ * developer can extend coverage incrementally by adding more handlers below.
+ *
+ * Extend by adding another entry to `handlers`. Each handler receives the
+ * parsed method/path/params/body and returns the response payload (or
+ * `undefined` to fall through to the next handler / the real backend).
+ */
+
+type MockRequest = {
+  method: string;
+  path: string;
+  params?: Record<string, unknown>;
+  body?: unknown;
+};
+
+type MockHandler = {
+  method: string;
+  /** Matches the URL path (query string stripped). */
+  pattern: RegExp;
+  respond: (req: MockRequest, match: RegExpMatchArray) => unknown;
+};
+
+function clone<T>(value: T): T {
+  return JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(value));
+}
+
+function paginated<T>(items: T[]) {
+  return { total: items.length, items };
+}
+
+let mockAppSeq = 100;
+
+const handlers: MockHandler[] = [
+  // --------------------------------------------------------------- profile
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/profiles\/me$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockProfileMeResponse),
+  },
+
+  // ----------------------------------------------------------- license types
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/license-types$/,
+    respond: () => paginated(clone(mockLicenseTypes)),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/license-types\/requirements\/([\w-]+)$/,
+    respond: (_req, match) => {
+      const key = match[1];
+      const found = mockLicenseTypeRequirements[key];
+      return found ? clone(found) : undefined;
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/license-categories$/,
+    respond: () =>
+      paginated([
+        { key: 'MARITIME_PERSONNEL', name: { en: 'Maritime Personnel' }, description: { en: 'Seafarer and vessel services' }, sortOrder: 1 },
+      ]),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/profiles\/me\/operations$/,
+    respond: () => ({ items: [] }),
+  },
+
+  // ----------------------------------------------------------- applications
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => paginated(clone(Object.values(mockApplications))),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications$/,
+    respond: (req) => {
+      const body = (req.body ?? {}) as { licenseType?: string; kind?: string; previousLicenseId?: string };
+      const typeKey = body.licenseType ?? 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION';
+      const requirements = mockLicenseTypeRequirements[typeKey];
+      const id = `app-draft-${++mockAppSeq}`;
+      const now = new Date().toISOString();
+      const application = {
+        id,
+        applicationNumber: `${requirements?.licenseType.certificatePrefix ?? 'APP'}-2026-${String(mockAppSeq).padStart(6, '0')}`,
+        licenseTypeId: requirements?.licenseType.id ?? 'license-type-unknown',
+        licenseType: requirements?.licenseType ?? { id: 'license-type-unknown', key: typeKey, name: { en: typeKey } },
+        applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+        kind: body.kind ?? 'NEW',
+        status: 'DRAFT',
+        assignedOfficerId: null,
+        claimedAt: null,
+        formData: {},
+        companyName: null,
+        tradeName: null,
+        tinNumber: null,
+        businessAddress: null,
+        capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+        capitalAmountVerified: null,
+        adjustmentRound: 0,
+        submittedAt: null,
+        decidedAt: null,
+        rejectionReason: null,
+        feeAmount: String(requirements?.fee ?? ''),
+        feeCurrency: requirements?.feeCurrency ?? 'ETB',
+        issuedLicenseId: null,
+        createdAt: now,
+      };
+      mockApplications[id] = application;
+      mockApplicationDetails[id] = {
+        application,
+        staff: [],
+        attachments: [],
+        history: [
+          {
+            id: `hist-${id}-1`,
+            fromStatus: null,
+            toStatus: 'DRAFT',
+            event: 'created',
+            actorUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+            actorName: 'Abebe Tesfaye',
+            actorRole: 'APPLICANT',
+            remark: null,
+            metadata: null,
+            createdAt: now,
+          },
+        ],
+        remarks: [],
+        openRemarks: [],
+        availableEvents: [],
+      };
+      return clone(application);
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)$/,
+    respond: (_req, match) => {
+      const detail = mockApplicationDetails[match[1]];
+      return detail ? clone(detail) : undefined;
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'PATCH',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)\/sections\/([\w-]+)$/,
+    respond: (req, match) => {
+      const [, id, sectionKey] = match;
+      const application = mockApplications[id];
+      if (!application) return undefined;
+      const body = (req.body ?? {}) as { values?: Record<string, unknown> };
+      application.formData = { ...application.formData, [sectionKey]: body.values ?? {} };
+      return clone(application);
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)\/submit$/,
+    respond: (_req, match) => {
+      const application = mockApplications[match[1]];
+      if (!application) return undefined;
+      application.status = 'UNDER_REVIEW';
+      application.submittedAt = new Date().toISOString();
+      return clone(application);
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)\/resubmit$/,
+    respond: (_req, match) => {
+      const application = mockApplications[match[1]];
+      if (!application) return undefined;
+      application.status = 'UNDER_REVIEW';
+      return clone(application);
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'PATCH',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)\/remarks\/([\w-]+)\/resolve$/,
+    respond: () => ({ ok: true }),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)\/staff$/,
+    respond: (req) => {
+      const body = (req.body ?? {}) as { roleKey?: string; fullName?: string; position?: string; yearsOfExperience?: number };
+      return {
+        id: `staff-mock-${Date.now()}`,
+        roleKey: body.roleKey ?? '',
+        fullName: body.fullName ?? '',
+        position: body.position ?? null,
+        roleCategory: null,
+        yearsOfExperience: body.yearsOfExperience ?? null,
+        documents: [],
+      };
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'DELETE',
+    pattern: /^\/license-applications\/([\w-]+)\/staff\/([\w-]+)$/,
+    respond: () => ({ ok: true }),
+  },
+
+  // -------------------------------------------------------------- licenses
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/licenses\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => paginated(clone(mockLicenses)),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/licenses\/([\w-]+)\/certificate$/,
+    respond: (_req, match) => ({
+      url: `https://example-cdn.ema.gov.et/certificates/${match[1]}.pdf`,
+    }),
+  },
+
+  // ------------------------------------------------------------ attachments
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/attachments$/,
+    respond: () => [],
+  },
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------- notifications
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/notifications\/unseen$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockNotifications),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/notifications$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockNotifications),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'PATCH',
+    pattern: /^\/notifications\/([\w-]+)\/read$/,
+    respond: () => ({ ok: true }),
+  },
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------- vessels
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/vessels\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockVessels),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/vessels\/([\w-]+)\/incidents$/,
+    respond: (req, match) => ({
+      id: `incident-mock-${Date.now()}`,
+      vesselId: match[1],
+      occurredAt: (req.body as { occurredAt?: string })?.occurredAt ?? new Date().toISOString(),
+      location: (req.body as { location?: string })?.location ?? null,
+      description: (req.body as { description?: string })?.description ?? '',
+      severity: null,
+      reportedById: 'user-mock-001',
+      reportedByOfficer: false,
+      createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    }),
+  },
+
+  // ------------------------------------------------------------------ exams
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/exams\/open$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockOpenExams),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/exams\/registrations\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockMyExamRegistrations),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/exams\/([\w-]+)\/register$/,
+    respond: () => ({ admissionNumber: `ADM-2026-${Math.floor(Math.random() * 900000 + 100000)}` }),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/results\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockMyExamResults),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/results\/appeals\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => clone(mockMyExamAppeals),
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'POST',
+    pattern: /^\/results\/([\w-]+)\/appeal$/,
+    respond: () => ({ appealNumber: `APL-2026-${Math.floor(Math.random() * 900000 + 100000)}` }),
+  },
+
+  // -------------------------------------------------------- seafarer records
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/sea-service-records\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => [],
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/medical-certificates\/mine$/,
+    respond: () => [],
+  },
+  {
+    method: 'GET',
+    pattern: /^\/sea-service-records\/mine\/sea-time$/,
+    respond: () => ({ totalDays: 620, verifiedRecords: 4 }),
+  },
+];
+
+function parseArgs(args: string | FetchArgs): { method: string; path: string; params?: Record<string, unknown>; body?: unknown } {
+  if (typeof args === 'string') {
+    const [path] = args.split('?');
+    return { method: 'GET', path };
+  }
+  const [path] = (args.url ?? '').split('?');
+  return {
+    method: (args.method ?? 'GET').toUpperCase(),
+    path,
+    params: args.params as Record<string, unknown> | undefined,
+    body: args.body,
+  };
+}
+
+function delay(ms: number) {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+}
+
+export const mockBaseQuery: BaseQueryFn<string | FetchArgs, unknown, FetchBaseQueryError> = async (
+  args,
+  api,
+  extraOptions,
+) => {
+  const req = parseArgs(args);
+
+  for (const handler of handlers) {
+    if (handler.method !== req.method) continue;
+    const match = req.path.match(handler.pattern);
+    if (!match) continue;
+
+    const data = handler.respond(req, match);
+    if (data === undefined) continue;
+
+    await delay(150 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 150));
+    return { data };
+  }
+
+  // Unmatched — fall through to the real backend (auth/login, and any
+  // endpoint outside the four mocked preview areas).
+  return baseQueryWithReauth(args, api, extraOptions);
+};
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/mock-data.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/mock-data.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e152c843d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/base-api/mock-data.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,740 @@
+/**
+ * Dev-only sample data for the mock base query (see `mock-base-query.ts`).
+ *
+ * Throwaway preview fixtures — realistic enough to demo the four portal
+ * feature areas (vessel registration, seafarer registration, CoC
+ * certificates, exams) without a live backend. Not used unless
+ * `VITE_USE_MOCKS=true`.
+ */
+
+// ------------------------------------------------------------------ profile
+
+export const mockPermissions: string[] = [
+  'can:View:own-profile',
+  'can:edit:own-profile',
+  'can:resubmit:license-application',
+  'can:upload:own-documents',
+  'can:View:own-documents',
+  'can:replace:own-documents',
+  'can:initiate:own-payment',
+  'can:View:own-payments',
+  'can:View:own-notifications',
+  'can:apply:seafarer-registration',
+  'can:add:own-sea-service',
+  'can:edit:own-sea-service',
+  'can:View:own-sea-service',
+  'can:upload:own-medical-certificate',
+  'can:View:own-medical-certificate',
+  'can:apply:seafarer-certificate',
+  'can:apply:exam',
+  'can:View:own-exam',
+  'can:View:own-certificates',
+  'can:apply:vessel-registration',
+  'can:View:own-vessels',
+  'can:report:own-vessel-incident',
+  'can:create:license-application',
+  'can:View:my-license-applications',
+  'can:update:license-application',
+  'can:submit:license-application',
+];
+
+export const mockProfile = {
+  id: 'profile-mock-001',
+  userId: 'user-mock-001',
+  professionId: 'profession-mock-001',
+  addressId: 'address-mock-001',
+  type: 'INDIVIDUAL',
+  firstName: 'Abebe',
+  middleName: 'Kebede',
+  lastName: 'Tesfaye',
+  gender: 'MALE',
+  dob: '1990-04-12',
+  pob: 'Addis Ababa',
+  maritalStatus: 'MARRIED',
+  isComplete: true,
+  seafarerNumber: 'ET-SF-2026-00147',
+  seafarerStatus: 'ACTIVE',
+  seafarerDepartment: 'DECK',
+  seafarerStatusReason: null,
+  user: {
+    id: 'user-mock-001',
+    email: 'abebe.tesfaye@example.et',
+    username: 'abebe.tesfaye',
+    phoneNumber: '+251911223344',
+    name: { am: 'አበበ ተስፋዬ', en: 'Abebe Tesfaye' },
+    status: 'ACTIVE',
+    sharepointId: null,
+    hasSetPassword: true,
+    hasFinishedRegistration: true,
+    hasFinishedDMSOnboarding: true,
+    isPhoneNumberVerified: true,
+    userType: 'PORTAL',
+  },
+  address: {
+    id: 'address-mock-001',
+    idType: 'NID',
+    idNumber: '1234567890123',
+    nationality: 'Ethiopia',
+    regionId: 'region-addis',
+    cityId: 'city-addis',
+    subCityId: 'subcity-bole',
+    woredaId: 'woreda-03',
+    kebeleId: null,
+    streetAddress: 'Bole Road',
+    houseNumber: '14',
+    primaryPhoneNumber: '+251911223344',
+    secondaryPhoneNumber: null,
+    email: 'abebe.tesfaye@example.et',
+    website: null,
+    postalAddress: null,
+    emergencyContactName: 'Selamawit Tesfaye',
+    emergencyContactPhone: '+251911998877',
+    emergencyContactRelation: 'Spouse',
+    isActive: true,
+  },
+  profession: {
+    id: 'profession-mock-001',
+    departmentId: 'department-deck',
+    name: { en: 'Deck Officer' },
+    description: { en: 'Deck department officer' },
+    isActive: true,
+  },
+};
+
+export const mockProfileMeResponse = {
+  profile: mockProfile,
+  completeness: 100,
+  missing: [] as string[],
+  permissions: mockPermissions,
+};
+
+// ------------------------------------------------------------------ vessels
+
+export const mockVessels = [
+  {
+    id: 'vessel-mock-001',
+    registrationNumber: 'ET-VES-2025-000041',
+    name: 'MV Abay Queen',
+    category: 'INLAND_WATERWAY',
+    vesselType: 'Passenger Ferry',
+    imoNumber: '9876543',
+    hullNumber: 'HN-4471',
+    flagState: 'Ethiopia',
+    portOfRegistry: 'Bahir Dar',
+    grossTonnage: 420,
+    passengerCapacity: 120,
+    lengthMeters: 38.5,
+    yearBuilt: 2018,
+    engineType: 'Diesel',
+    enginePowerKw: 950,
+    numberOfEngines: 2,
+    hullMaterial: 'Steel',
+    ownerUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    ownerProfileId: 'profile-mock-001',
+    ownerName: 'Abebe Tesfaye',
+    applicationId: 'app-vessel-approved-001',
+    licenseId: 'license-vessel-001',
+    status: 'REGISTERED',
+    statusReason: null,
+    statusChangedAt: null,
+    registeredAt: '2025-11-03T09:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  {
+    id: 'vessel-mock-002',
+    registrationNumber: 'ET-VES-2024-000019',
+    name: 'MV Tana Star',
+    category: 'INLAND_WATERWAY',
+    vesselType: 'Cargo Vessel',
+    imoNumber: '9765432',
+    hullNumber: 'HN-2290',
+    flagState: 'Ethiopia',
+    portOfRegistry: 'Bahir Dar',
+    grossTonnage: 610,
+    passengerCapacity: null,
+    lengthMeters: 45.2,
+    yearBuilt: 2015,
+    engineType: 'Diesel',
+    enginePowerKw: 1200,
+    numberOfEngines: 2,
+    hullMaterial: 'Steel',
+    ownerUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    ownerProfileId: 'profile-mock-001',
+    ownerName: 'Abebe Tesfaye',
+    applicationId: 'app-vessel-approved-002',
+    licenseId: 'license-vessel-002',
+    status: 'REGISTERED',
+    statusReason: null,
+    statusChangedAt: null,
+    registeredAt: '2024-06-18T09:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+];
+
+// -------------------------------------------------------------- applications
+
+const nowIso = () => new Date().toISOString();
+
+export const mockApplications: Record<string, any> = {
+  'app-vessel-approved-001': {
+    id: 'app-vessel-approved-001',
+    applicationNumber: 'VES-2025-000041',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-vessel-registration', key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    status: 'CERTIFICATE_ISSUED',
+    assignedOfficerId: null,
+    claimedAt: null,
+    formData: { vesselDetails: { vesselName: 'MV Abay Queen' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 0,
+    submittedAt: '2025-10-20T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: '2025-11-03T09:00:00.000Z',
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '3500',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: 'license-vessel-001',
+    createdAt: '2025-10-15T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  'app-vessel-approved-002': {
+    id: 'app-vessel-approved-002',
+    applicationNumber: 'VES-2024-000019',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-vessel-registration', key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    status: 'CERTIFICATE_ISSUED',
+    assignedOfficerId: null,
+    claimedAt: null,
+    formData: { vesselDetails: { vesselName: 'MV Tana Star' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 0,
+    submittedAt: '2024-06-01T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: '2024-06-18T09:00:00.000Z',
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '3500',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: 'license-vessel-002',
+    createdAt: '2024-05-20T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  'app-vessel-pending-003': {
+    id: 'app-vessel-pending-003',
+    applicationNumber: 'VES-2026-000123',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-vessel-registration', key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    status: 'UNDER_REVIEW',
+    assignedOfficerId: 'officer-mock-001',
+    claimedAt: '2026-08-10T10:00:00.000Z',
+    formData: { vesselDetails: { vesselName: 'MV Zeway Pearl' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 0,
+    submittedAt: '2026-08-05T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: null,
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '3500',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: null,
+    createdAt: '2026-08-01T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  'app-vessel-resubmit-004': {
+    id: 'app-vessel-resubmit-004',
+    applicationNumber: 'VES-2026-000098',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-vessel-registration', key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    status: 'RESUBMIT_REQUIRED',
+    assignedOfficerId: 'officer-mock-001',
+    claimedAt: '2026-07-20T10:00:00.000Z',
+    formData: { vesselDetails: { vesselName: 'MV Koka Voyager' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 1,
+    submittedAt: '2026-07-15T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: null,
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '3500',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: null,
+    createdAt: '2026-07-10T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  'app-seafarer-registered-005': {
+    id: 'app-seafarer-registered-005',
+    applicationNumber: 'SEA-2025-000512',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-seafarer-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-seafarer-registration', key: 'SEAFARER_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Seafarer Registration' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    status: 'COMPLETED',
+    assignedOfficerId: null,
+    claimedAt: null,
+    formData: { account: { applicantName: 'Abebe Tesfaye' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 0,
+    submittedAt: '2025-09-01T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: '2025-09-20T08:00:00.000Z',
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '500',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: null,
+    createdAt: '2025-08-25T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  'app-coc-issued-006': {
+    id: 'app-coc-issued-006',
+    applicationNumber: 'COC-2025-000321',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-coc',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-coc', key: 'CERTIFICATE_OF_COMPETENCY', name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    status: 'CERTIFICATE_ISSUED',
+    assignedOfficerId: null,
+    claimedAt: null,
+    formData: { account: { applicantName: 'Abebe Tesfaye' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 0,
+    submittedAt: '2025-12-01T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: '2026-01-10T08:00:00.000Z',
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '1200',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: 'license-coc-001',
+    createdAt: '2025-11-20T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+  'app-coc-review-007': {
+    id: 'app-coc-review-007',
+    applicationNumber: 'COC-2026-000045',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-coc',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-coc', key: 'CERTIFICATE_OF_COMPETENCY', name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency' } },
+    applicantUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+    kind: 'RENEWAL',
+    status: 'ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED',
+    assignedOfficerId: 'officer-mock-002',
+    claimedAt: '2026-08-01T10:00:00.000Z',
+    formData: { account: { applicantName: 'Abebe Tesfaye' } },
+    companyName: null,
+    tradeName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    businessAddress: null,
+    capitalAmountDeclared: null,
+    capitalAmountVerified: null,
+    adjustmentRound: 0,
+    submittedAt: '2026-07-28T08:00:00.000Z',
+    decidedAt: null,
+    rejectionReason: null,
+    feeAmount: '1200',
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    issuedLicenseId: null,
+    createdAt: '2026-07-25T08:00:00.000Z',
+  },
+};
+
+export const mockApplicationDetails: Record<string, any> = Object.fromEntries(
+  Object.entries(mockApplications).map(([id, application]) => [
+    id,
+    {
+      application,
+      staff: [],
+      attachments: [],
+      history: [
+        {
+          id: `hist-${id}-1`,
+          fromStatus: null,
+          toStatus: 'DRAFT',
+          event: 'created',
+          actorUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+          actorName: 'Abebe Tesfaye',
+          actorRole: 'APPLICANT',
+          remark: null,
+          metadata: null,
+          createdAt: application.createdAt,
+        },
+        {
+          id: `hist-${id}-2`,
+          fromStatus: 'DRAFT',
+          toStatus: 'SUBMITTED',
+          event: 'submitted',
+          actorUserId: 'user-mock-001',
+          actorName: 'Abebe Tesfaye',
+          actorRole: 'APPLICANT',
+          remark: null,
+          metadata: null,
+          createdAt: application.submittedAt ?? application.createdAt,
+        },
+      ],
+      remarks:
+        application.status === 'RESUBMIT_REQUIRED'
+          ? [
+              {
+                id: `remark-${id}-1`,
+                roundNumber: 1,
+                targetType: 'DOCUMENT',
+                targetKey: 'vesselOwnershipProof',
+                remark: 'Ownership document is blurred — please re-upload a clearer scan.',
+                isResolved: false,
+                resolvedAt: null,
+                createdAt: application.submittedAt ?? application.createdAt,
+              },
+            ]
+          : [],
+      openRemarks:
+        application.status === 'RESUBMIT_REQUIRED'
+          ? [
+              {
+                id: `remark-${id}-1`,
+                roundNumber: 1,
+                targetType: 'DOCUMENT',
+                targetKey: 'vesselOwnershipProof',
+                remark: 'Ownership document is blurred — please re-upload a clearer scan.',
+                isResolved: false,
+                resolvedAt: null,
+                createdAt: application.submittedAt ?? application.createdAt,
+              },
+            ]
+          : [],
+      availableEvents: [],
+    },
+  ]),
+);
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------- licenses
+
+export const mockLicenses = [
+  {
+    id: 'license-vessel-001',
+    certificateNumber: 'ET-VES-CERT-2025-041',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-vessel-registration', key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' } },
+    applicationId: 'app-vessel-approved-001',
+    companyName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    issueDate: '2025-11-03',
+    expiryDate: '2027-11-03',
+    status: 'ACTIVE',
+    daysUntilExpiry: 445,
+    renewable: false,
+    verificationCode: 'VESQR001',
+    certificateFileKey: 'certs/vessel-001.pdf',
+  },
+  {
+    id: 'license-vessel-002',
+    certificateNumber: 'ET-VES-CERT-2024-019',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-vessel-registration', key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION', name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' } },
+    applicationId: 'app-vessel-approved-002',
+    companyName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    issueDate: '2024-06-18',
+    expiryDate: '2026-06-18',
+    status: 'ACTIVE',
+    daysUntilExpiry: 308,
+    renewable: true,
+    verificationCode: 'VESQR002',
+    certificateFileKey: 'certs/vessel-002.pdf',
+  },
+  {
+    id: 'license-coc-001',
+    certificateNumber: 'ET-COC-2026-000321',
+    licenseTypeId: 'license-type-coc',
+    licenseType: { id: 'license-type-coc', key: 'CERTIFICATE_OF_COMPETENCY', name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency' } },
+    applicationId: 'app-coc-issued-006',
+    companyName: null,
+    tinNumber: null,
+    issueDate: '2026-01-10',
+    expiryDate: '2031-01-10',
+    status: 'ACTIVE',
+    daysUntilExpiry: 1610,
+    renewable: false,
+    verificationCode: 'COCQR001',
+    certificateFileKey: 'certs/coc-001.pdf',
+  },
+];
+
+// -------------------------------------------------------------------- exams
+
+export const mockOpenExams = [
+  {
+    id: 'exam-open-001',
+    title: { en: 'Officer of the Watch — Written Examination' },
+    date: '2026-09-15T09:00:00.000Z',
+    venue: 'EMA Headquarters, Addis Ababa',
+    status: 'OPEN',
+    certification: { name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency (Deck)' } },
+  },
+  {
+    id: 'exam-open-002',
+    title: { en: 'Marine Engineering Practical Assessment' },
+    date: '2026-10-02T09:00:00.000Z',
+    venue: 'Bahir Dar Maritime Training Center',
+    status: 'OPEN',
+    certification: { name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency (Engine)' } },
+  },
+];
+
+export const mockMyExamRegistrations = [
+  {
+    id: 'reg-mock-001',
+    admissionNumber: 'ADM-2026-000876',
+    createdAt: '2026-08-01T08:00:00.000Z',
+    kind: 'NEW',
+    attemptNumber: 1,
+    attendanceStatus: 'REGISTERED',
+    exam: mockOpenExams[0],
+  },
+];
+
+export const mockMyExamResults = [
+  {
+    id: 'result-mock-001',
+    totalScore: 82,
+    status: 'PASSED',
+    publishedAt: '2026-03-20T08:00:00.000Z',
+    remark: { en: 'Strong performance in navigation and safety.' },
+    exam: {
+      id: 'exam-past-001',
+      title: { en: 'Officer of the Watch — Written Examination' },
+      date: '2026-03-10T09:00:00.000Z',
+      venue: 'EMA Headquarters, Addis Ababa',
+      status: 'CLOSED',
+      certification: { name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency (Deck)' } },
+    },
+  },
+];
+
+export const mockMyExamAppeals: any[] = [];
+
+// ------------------------------------------------------------ notifications
+
+export const mockNotifications = {
+  count: 2,
+  items: [
+    {
+      id: 'notif-mock-001',
+      subject: { en: 'Application under review' },
+      content: { en: 'Your vessel registration VES-2026-000123 is now under review.' },
+      isSeen: false,
+      itemId: 'app-vessel-pending-003',
+      itemType: 'LicenseApplication',
+      metadata: null,
+      createdAt: '2026-08-05T09:00:00.000Z',
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'notif-mock-002',
+      subject: { en: 'Corrections requested' },
+      content: { en: 'Please resubmit documents for VES-2026-000098.' },
+      isSeen: true,
+      itemId: 'app-vessel-resubmit-004',
+      itemType: 'LicenseApplication',
+      metadata: null,
+      createdAt: '2026-07-21T09:00:00.000Z',
+    },
+  ],
+};
+
+// ------------------------------------------------------------ license types
+
+export const mockLicenseTypeRequirements: Record<string, any> = {
+  VESSEL_REGISTRATION: {
+    licenseType: {
+      id: 'license-type-vessel-registration',
+      key: 'VESSEL_REGISTRATION',
+      name: { en: 'Vessel Registration' },
+      description: { en: 'Register a vessel with the Ethiopian Maritime Authority.' },
+      category: 'MARITIME_PERSONNEL',
+      certificatePrefix: 'VES',
+      feeNewApplication: 3500,
+      feeRenewal: 2000,
+      feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+      capitalThreshold: null,
+      validityMonths: 24,
+      slaHours: 240,
+      inspectionRequired: true,
+      issuesCertificate: true,
+      renewalEnabled: true,
+      requiresOperatorMode: false,
+      formSchema: {
+        sections: [
+          {
+            key: 'vesselDetails',
+            title: { en: 'Vessel Details' },
+            fields: [
+              { key: 'vesselName', label: { en: 'Vessel Name' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 1 },
+              { key: 'vesselType', label: { en: 'Vessel Type' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 2 },
+              { key: 'grossTonnage', label: { en: 'Gross Tonnage' }, type: 'NUMBER', required: true, sortOrder: 3 },
+            ],
+            sortOrder: 1,
+          },
+          {
+            key: 'ownerDetails',
+            title: { en: 'Owner Details' },
+            fields: [
+              { key: 'nationality', label: { en: 'Nationality' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 1 },
+              { key: 'idNumber', label: { en: 'National ID (Fayda) Number' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 2 },
+            ],
+            sortOrder: 2,
+          },
+        ],
+      },
+      isActive: true,
+      sortOrder: 1,
+    },
+    applicationKind: 'NEW',
+    fee: 3500,
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    documentRequirements: [
+      {
+        id: 'doc-vessel-ownership',
+        key: 'vesselOwnershipProof',
+        name: { en: 'Proof of Ownership' },
+        applicationKind: 'NEW',
+        mode: 'ALWAYS',
+        allowedMimeTypes: ['application/pdf', 'image/jpeg', 'image/png'],
+        maxSizeMb: 10,
+        requiresValidityDates: false,
+        sortOrder: 1,
+      },
+    ],
+    staffRoleRequirements: [],
+  },
+  SEAFARER_REGISTRATION: {
+    licenseType: {
+      id: 'license-type-seafarer-registration',
+      key: 'SEAFARER_REGISTRATION',
+      name: { en: 'Seafarer Registration' },
+      description: { en: 'Register as a seafarer with the Ethiopian Maritime Authority.' },
+      category: 'MARITIME_PERSONNEL',
+      certificatePrefix: 'SEA',
+      feeNewApplication: 500,
+      feeRenewal: null,
+      feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+      capitalThreshold: null,
+      validityMonths: 0,
+      slaHours: 120,
+      inspectionRequired: false,
+      issuesCertificate: false,
+      renewalEnabled: false,
+      requiresOperatorMode: false,
+      formSchema: {
+        sections: [
+          {
+            key: 'personalDetails',
+            title: { en: 'Personal Details' },
+            fields: [
+              { key: 'applicantName', label: { en: 'Full Name' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 1 },
+              { key: 'department', label: { en: 'Department' }, type: 'SELECT', required: true, options: [
+                { value: 'DECK', label: { en: 'Deck' } },
+                { value: 'ENGINE', label: { en: 'Engine' } },
+                { value: 'CATERING', label: { en: 'Catering' } },
+              ], sortOrder: 2 },
+            ],
+            sortOrder: 1,
+          },
+        ],
+      },
+      isActive: true,
+      sortOrder: 2,
+    },
+    applicationKind: 'NEW',
+    fee: 500,
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    documentRequirements: [
+      {
+        id: 'doc-seafarer-photo',
+        key: 'passportPhoto',
+        name: { en: 'Passport-size Photograph' },
+        applicationKind: 'NEW',
+        mode: 'ALWAYS',
+        allowedMimeTypes: ['image/jpeg', 'image/png'],
+        maxSizeMb: 5,
+        requiresValidityDates: false,
+        sortOrder: 1,
+      },
+    ],
+    staffRoleRequirements: [],
+  },
+  CERTIFICATE_OF_COMPETENCY: {
+    licenseType: {
+      id: 'license-type-coc',
+      key: 'CERTIFICATE_OF_COMPETENCY',
+      name: { en: 'Certificate of Competency' },
+      description: { en: 'Apply for a Certificate of Competency.' },
+      category: 'MARITIME_PERSONNEL',
+      certificatePrefix: 'COC',
+      feeNewApplication: 1200,
+      feeRenewal: 800,
+      feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+      capitalThreshold: null,
+      validityMonths: 60,
+      slaHours: 168,
+      inspectionRequired: false,
+      issuesCertificate: true,
+      renewalEnabled: true,
+      requiresOperatorMode: false,
+      formSchema: {
+        sections: [
+          {
+            key: 'applicantDetails',
+            title: { en: 'Applicant Details' },
+            fields: [
+              { key: 'applicantName', label: { en: 'Full Name' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 1 },
+              { key: 'rank', label: { en: 'Rank Applied For' }, type: 'TEXT', required: true, sortOrder: 2 },
+            ],
+            sortOrder: 1,
+          },
+        ],
+      },
+      isActive: true,
+      sortOrder: 3,
+    },
+    applicationKind: 'NEW',
+    fee: 1200,
+    feeCurrency: 'ETB',
+    documentRequirements: [
+      {
+        id: 'doc-coc-seatime',
+        key: 'seaTimeRecord',
+        name: { en: 'Sea Time Record' },
+        applicationKind: 'NEW',
+        mode: 'ALWAYS',
+        allowedMimeTypes: ['application/pdf'],
+        maxSizeMb: 10,
+        requiresValidityDates: false,
+        sortOrder: 1,
+      },
+    ],
+    staffRoleRequirements: [],
+  },
+};
+
+export const mockLicenseTypes = Object.values(mockLicenseTypeRequirements).map(
+  (r) => r.licenseType,
+);
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing-api.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing-api.ts
index 485277781..07fe65547 100644
--- a/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing-api.ts
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing-api.ts
@@ -485,6 +485,33 @@ export const licensingApi = baseApi
           error ? [] : [itemTag('LicenseApplication', id), listTag('ApplicationQueue')],
       }),
 
+      /** Places a candidate who has paid the examination fee into a sitting. */
+      scheduleExam: builder.mutation<
+        LicenseApplication,
+        { id: string; examId: string; admissionNumber?: string; examDate?: string }
+      >({
+        query: ({ id, ...body }) => ({
+          url: `/license-application-review/${id}/schedule-exam`,
+          method: 'POST',
+          body,
+        }),
+        invalidatesTags: (_r, error, { id }) =>
+          error ? [] : [itemTag('LicenseApplication', id), listTag('ApplicationQueue')],
+      }),
+
+      /**
+       * Raises the examination fee — after eligibility approval, or again when
+       * a failed candidate elects to resit.
+       */
+      requestExamPayment: builder.mutation<LicenseApplication, string>({
+        query: (id) => ({
+          url: `/license-applications/${id}/request-exam-payment`,
+          method: 'POST',
+        }),
+        invalidatesTags: (_r, error, id) =>
+          error ? [] : [itemTag('LicenseApplication', id), listTag('LicenseApplication')],
+      }),
+
       // ------------------------------------------------- certificate designs
       getLicenseTemplates: builder.query<LicenseTemplate[], string | void>({
         query: (licenseTypeId) => ({
@@ -522,6 +549,7 @@ export const licensingApi = baseApi
           name?: string;
           hbsSource?: string;
           pageOptions?: TemplatePageOptions;
+          backgroundUrl?: string;
         }
       >({
         query: ({ id, ...body }) => ({
@@ -805,6 +833,8 @@ export const {
   useApproveDocumentsMutation,
   useFinalApproveMutation,
   useRejectApplicationMutation,
+  useScheduleExamMutation,
+  useRequestExamPaymentMutation,
   useConfirmPaymentMutation,
   useScheduleInspectionMutation,
   useGetInspectionsQuery,
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.helpers.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.helpers.ts
index 50aa8f5a8..fe4d67ad0 100644
--- a/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.helpers.ts
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.helpers.ts
@@ -70,6 +70,12 @@ export const STATUS_LABELS: Record<LicenseStatus, string> = {
   PAYMENT_CONFIRMED: 'Preparing Certificate',
   CERTIFICATE_ISSUED: 'Certificate Issued',
   COMPLETED: 'Completed',
+  ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED: 'Eligible to Sit',
+  EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING: 'Exam Fee Due',
+  EXAM_PAID: 'Awaiting Exam Date',
+  EXAM_SCHEDULED: 'Exam Scheduled',
+  EXAM_PASSED: 'Exam Passed',
+  EXAM_FAILED: 'Exam Not Passed',
 };
 
 /** Mantine colour per status — green progresses, orange needs the applicant. */
@@ -89,6 +95,13 @@ export const STATUS_COLORS: Record<LicenseStatus, string> = {
   PAYMENT_CONFIRMED: 'teal',
   CERTIFICATE_ISSUED: 'green',
   COMPLETED: 'green',
+  ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED: 'teal',
+  EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING: 'yellow',
+  EXAM_PAID: 'lime',
+  EXAM_SCHEDULED: 'cyan',
+  EXAM_PASSED: 'teal',
+  // Orange, not red: a failure is recoverable here — the candidate resits.
+  EXAM_FAILED: 'orange',
 };
 
 /**
@@ -114,6 +127,15 @@ export const STATUS_PROGRESS: Record<LicenseStatus, number> = {
   CERTIFICATE_ISSUED: 100,
   COMPLETED: 100,
   REJECTED: 100,
+  // The exam leg sits between approval and the certificate fee, so these
+  // interleave with PAYMENT_PENDING (80) rather than running past it.
+  ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED: 60,
+  EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING: 64,
+  EXAM_PAID: 68,
+  EXAM_SCHEDULED: 72,
+  EXAM_PASSED: 78,
+  // A resit returns to the fee step, so this is not further along than a pass.
+  EXAM_FAILED: 64,
 };
 
 /** Statuses where nothing moves until the applicant does something. */
@@ -121,6 +143,10 @@ export const APPLICANT_ACTION_STATUSES: LicenseStatus[] = [
   'DRAFT',
   'RESUBMIT_REQUIRED',
   'PAYMENT_PENDING',
+  // Both wait on the candidate: one to pay for a sitting, one to decide to
+  // sit again after a failure.
+  'EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING',
+  'EXAM_FAILED',
 ];
 
 /** Statuses that are finished, whichever way they went. */
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.types.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.types.ts
index 432cc9252..27b9921e1 100644
--- a/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.types.ts
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/features/licensing/licensing.types.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 /** Shared licensing contract — mirrors the emaapi domain model. */
 
+// Reused rather than redeclared: the department vocabulary belongs to the
+// seafarer domain, and two copies would drift.
+import type { SeafarerDepartment } from '../seafarer/seafarer.types';
+
 export type Bilingual = { en?: string; am?: string };
 
 /**
@@ -21,7 +25,15 @@ export type LicenseStatus =
   | "PAID"
   | "PAYMENT_CONFIRMED"
   | "CERTIFICATE_ISSUED"
-  | "COMPLETED";
+  | "COMPLETED"
+  // Examined certificates (CoC, some CoP): approval establishes eligibility,
+  // the candidate pays to sit, and the certificate fee falls due on a pass.
+  | "ELIGIBILITY_APPROVED"
+  | "EXAM_PAYMENT_PENDING"
+  | "EXAM_PAID"
+  | "EXAM_SCHEDULED"
+  | "EXAM_PASSED"
+  | "EXAM_FAILED";
 
 export type ApplicationKind = "NEW" | "RENEWAL";
 
@@ -130,6 +142,58 @@ export interface LicenseType {
   isActive: boolean;
   /** Display order set by EMA; lower comes first. */
   sortOrder: number;
+
+  // --------------------------------------------------- examined certificates
+  /** Approval establishes eligibility; the certificate is earned by exam. */
+  requiresExamination?: boolean;
+  /** Fee per sitting. Falls back to `feeNewApplication` when null. */
+  feeExamination?: string | number | null;
+  /** Fee to issue after a pass. Falls back to `feeNewApplication` when null. */
+  feeCertificate?: string | number | null;
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------- STCW mapping
+  certificateCategory?: CertificateCategory | null;
+  stcwControlled?: boolean;
+  /** Convention regulation, e.g. `III/2`. */
+  stcwRegulation?: string | null;
+  /** Code section, e.g. `A-III/2`. */
+  stcwCodeSection?: string | null;
+  stcwDepartment?: SeafarerDepartment | null;
+  competencyLevel?: CompetencyLevel | null;
+  stcwFunctions?: StcwFunctionRow[] | null;
+  stcwCapacities?: StcwCapacityRow[] | null;
+  /** Licence keys that must be held before this may be applied for. */
+  prerequisiteLicenseKeys?: string[] | null;
+}
+
+/** What kind of document a certificate type produces. */
+export type CertificateCategory =
+  | "COC"
+  | "COP"
+  | "ENDORSEMENT"
+  | "GOC"
+  | "NATIONAL";
+
+/**
+ * STCW responsibility level. Cadet is absent by design — under STCW a cadet is
+ * a seafarer in training before holding any certificate, not a level of
+ * competence.
+ */
+export type CompetencyLevel = "SUPPORT" | "OPERATIONAL" | "MANAGEMENT";
+
+/** One row of a CoC's function table (STCW Code A-I/2). */
+export interface StcwFunctionRow {
+  function: Bilingual;
+  level: CompetencyLevel;
+  limitation?: Bilingual;
+  sortOrder?: number;
+}
+
+/** One row of a CoC's capacity table — what the holder may serve as. */
+export interface StcwCapacityRow {
+  capacity: Bilingual;
+  limitation?: Bilingual;
+  sortOrder?: number;
 }
 
 export interface DocumentRequirement {
@@ -380,6 +444,11 @@ export interface LicenseTemplate {
   version: number;
   hbsSource: string;
   pageOptions: TemplatePageOptions | null;
+  /**
+   * Artwork printed under the rendered text. A background, not the whole
+   * certificate — per-certificate data stays in the template layer above it.
+   */
+  backgroundUrl?: string | null;
   status: TemplateStatus;
   publishedAt: string | null;
   createdAt: string;
diff --git a/libs/api/src/lib/session/index.ts b/libs/api/src/lib/session/index.ts
index b9a118857..69277fd91 100644
--- a/libs/api/src/lib/session/index.ts
+++ b/libs/api/src/lib/session/index.ts
@@ -7,15 +7,33 @@ export const SESSION_HEADER_KEYS = {
   currentProjectId: 'x-current-project-id',
 } as const;
 
-const TOKEN_STORAGE_KEYS = [
-  'ema-backoffice-auth-token',
-  'ema-portal-auth-token',
-  'auth-token',
-] as const;
+/**
+ * Which app this bundle is, so it reads its own session and no one else's.
+ *
+ * Set by each app's store via `configureSessionScope`. Cookies ignore the
+ * port, so `localhost:4200` and `localhost:4201` share one jar: without a
+ * scope the backoffice would happily authenticate as whoever last signed into
+ * the portal, and render a staff console with an applicant's permissions.
+ */
+let scopedTokenKey: string | undefined;
+
+export function configureSessionScope(prefix: string): void {
+  scopedTokenKey = `${prefix}-auth-token`;
+}
+
+/** Legacy, pre-prefix sessions. Read only when the scoped key is empty. */
+const LEGACY_TOKEN_KEY = 'auth-token';
 
 export function resolveTokenFromStorage(): string | undefined {
-  // cookie first, then localStorage (legacy pre-migration sessions)
-  for (const key of TOKEN_STORAGE_KEYS) {
+  // Only this app's key, then the legacy unprefixed one. Never another app's:
+  // falling through to a sibling's token is how a backoffice tab ends up
+  // holding a portal session.
+  const keys = scopedTokenKey
+    ? [scopedTokenKey, LEGACY_TOKEN_KEY]
+    : [LEGACY_TOKEN_KEY];
+
+  for (const key of keys) {
+    // cookie first, then localStorage (legacy pre-migration sessions)
     const cookie = Cookies.get(key);
     if (cookie) return cookie;
     const stored = localStorage.getItem(key);
diff --git a/libs/auth/src/lib/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx b/libs/auth/src/lib/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx
index 9c55d85ee..a596b5d67 100644
--- a/libs/auth/src/lib/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx
+++ b/libs/auth/src/lib/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ interface ProtectedRouteProps {
 
 export function ProtectedRoute({ children, loginPath = '/login' }: ProtectedRouteProps) {
   const location = useLocation();
+  // `authStorage` is already scoped to this app; the bare key is only the
+  // legacy pre-prefix session. Never read a sibling app's token — that is how
+  // a backoffice tab ends up authenticated as a portal applicant.
   const token = authStorage.getToken() ?? Cookies.get('auth-token');
 
   if (!token) {