★★★★★
"Ian held our attention throughout the day. Good balance of theory and practical and using individuals responses to make a bespoke experience."
● Straight answers, no jargon
PAT Testing Course FAQs
Everything people ask us about PAT testing and our courses — competence, certificates, testers, calibration and more. Can't find your answer? Call us and a real person will help.
UKRS certificate
No experience needed
Free PAT tester loan
Lifetime after-course support
Quick answers
At a glance
The most-asked question:
"Do I need to be an electrician?"
No.
You need training and to be assessed as competent — that’s what the course does
1 dayfull certification
£195 +VATopen day, per person
0experience required
7–10days to your certificate
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about our PAT training courses — course details, scheduling and requirements.
About PAT testing
What is PAT testing?
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a systematic approach to making sure portable electrical appliances are safe for continued use. A competent, trained person decides whether each item is safe using a mix of visual inspection and instrument tests.
What is PAC testing?
A very common mix-up — people often call PAT testing "PAC testing". There’s no such thing: it’s PAT, short for Portable Appliance Testing.
Who can do PAT testing?
Almost anyone. To carry out PAT testing you need to complete some training and be assessed as competent — that’s exactly what our one-day course does. Most people can become a PAT tester after completing it.
Do I need to be an electrician?
No. The IET Code of Practice requires a "competent" person, not an electrician. Our course is designed for people with little or no electrical experience — we regularly train complete beginners, and our pass rates are excellent.
Everyone claims to be a "PAT testing expert" — how do I choose a course?
A quick search shows just about everyone claiming to be a PAT expert. Any PAT course worth doing follows the IET Code of Practice (currently 5th Edition) — always check that the course you’re booking actually follows the Code.
The course
How long is the course, and how does the day run?
One day. Morning theory covers the law, the Code of Practice and what "competent" really means, then it’s hands-on testing of real appliances with real PAT testers, finishing with an assessment. A typical open day runs 9:30–4:30.
Do you do a self-study online PAT testing course?
No — and that’s deliberate. Self-study online learning suits some subjects, but PAT testing is a practical skill and we don’t think it’s one of them. Instead we run a tutor-led live Zoom course: a full day with practical elements included, the best compromise between self-study and face-to-face training.
What areas do you cover for on-site PAT training?
We’ll run our PAT course anywhere. We regularly train at client sites across England, Scotland and Wales, and we’ve delivered courses in Europe for some customers too.
What if I don’t have a PAT tester?
We’ll loan you one for the course, free of charge. If you have your own machine, bring it along — we’ll teach you on the tester you’ll actually be using day to day.
Certificates & accreditation
Will I get a certificate?
Of course — all successful learners receive a certificate. Complete our competency course and you’ll receive a TTS Certificate of Competence accredited by UKRS. Take the City & Guilds version and you’ll receive a City & Guilds certificate instead. There’s no requirement for one over the other.
When will my certificate arrive?
Your UKRS certificate is issued after successful completion of the day’s assessments and typically follows within 7–10 days.
Equipment & after the course
What is a PAT tester calibration?
A PAT tester is the instrument needed to complete the full PAT test. It measures levels of resistance, so it needs checking at suitable intervals — most manufacturers and the IET Code of Practice say annually. We can arrange for your PAT tester to be calibrated if you need it.
Which PAT tester should I buy?
It depends on what and how much you’ll be testing. Our trainers give impartial advice on the day, and our PAT Shop stocks manual, downloadable and refurbished testers plus labels, adaptors and accessories — with course-delegate discounts available.
What support do I get after the course?
Lifetime support as standard. You’ll keep access to our online learning zone — course guide, videos, equipment registers and record-keeping templates — and you can always call or email us with questions. We like to help.
Still have a question? We're a phone call away.
Ready when you are
Next course dates
Questions answered? Pick a date at a venue near you — or join live on Zoom.
| Date | Location | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 16 Sep2026 | Leicester | Sold out | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Sold out |
| Wed 16 Sep2026 | Birmingham | Only 1 left! | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Thu 17 Sep2026 | Brighton | Limited spaces | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Fri 18 Sep2026 | Barnsley | Only 1 left! | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Mon 21 Sep2026 | Zoom Live (1 Day) | Sold out | £145 +VAT£174.00 inc | Sold out |
| Tue 22 Sep2026 | Swansea | Limited spaces | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Thu 24 Sep2026 | Swindon | Limited spaces | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Fri 25 Sep2026 | Peterborough | Only 2 left! | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Mon 28 Sep2026 | Zoom Live (1 Day) | Limited spaces | £145 +VAT£174.00 inc | Book now |
| Mon 5 Oct2026 | Zoom Live (1 Day) | Limited spaces | £145 +VAT£174.00 inc | Book now |
| Tue 6 Oct2026 | South Mimms M25 | Only 2 left! | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
| Tue 6 Oct2026 | Cardiff | Available | £195 +VAT£234.00 inc | Book now |
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Reviews
What are our clients saying?
★★★★★
"As a new business it was a bit of a decision whether to spend the money on this course. I am so, so glad I did — worth every penny, and I feel infinitely more confident about my business' PAT testing capabilities."
Ready to get PAT certified?
Pick your most convenient location and book online today — or ask us anything first. We like to help.