Free · Checked against official sources
How long is it valid? Certificate & licence expiry guide
How long common UK and US certificates, licences and safety checks last, each answer checked against the official source. Open one to work out your own expiry date and add reminders to your calendar.
How to read each answer
Every guide says where its period comes from.
- Legal requirement
- The period is set in legislation. Missing it can be an offence or lead to a penalty.
- Issuer rule
- The body that issues the certificate or card sets how long it lasts.
- Recommended practice
- No fixed legal period. We show the interval commonly recommended and say who recommends it.
Showing 26 of 26
Food hygiene certificate (Level 1, 2 or 3)
No legal expiry
A UK food hygiene certificate has no legal expiry date, and food handlers do not legally need a formal certificate. The law requires training or supervision suited to each person’s work. Councils such as East Devon recommend refresher training at least once every three years.
Emergency lighting testing (BS 5266 guidance)
Monthly, plus a yearly full test
Emergency lighting has no legal expiry, but it must be kept in efficient working order. Government fire safety guidance, which refers to BS 5266, suggests a short monthly function test of every light and a yearly test for its full rated duration, carried out by a competent person.
Employers’ liability insurance certificate
As long as the policy
An employers’ liability certificate is valid for the policy period shown on it, commonly 12 months. Most employers in Great Britain must hold at least £5 million of cover from their first employee, display the current certificate where staff can read it, and renew before the end date.
Fire alarm servicing (BS 5839-1 guidance)
Every 6 months (guidance)
No law sets a fire alarm service date, but the system must be kept in efficient working order. Government fire safety guidance, which points to BS 5839-1, says to test the alarm weekly and have a competent person test and maintain it every six months.
Fire risk assessment (FRA)
No fixed expiry
A fire risk assessment has no legal expiry date in England. The responsible person must review it regularly, and whenever it may no longer be valid or the premises change significantly. A yearly review is common practice, not law. Since October 2023 it must be recorded in full.
First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate
3 years
HSE guidance says FAW, EFAW and other workplace first-aid certificates are valid for three years from the date the course was completed. After the expiry date the person is no longer considered competent to act as a workplace first-aider until they requalify.
Forklift (lift truck) training certificate
No legal expiry
There is no such thing as a forklift licence in the UK, and training certificates have no legal expiry. Employers must keep operators competent. HSE says you may choose automatic refresher training or a retest after a set period, for example 3 to 5 years, while still monitoring performance.
Legionella risk assessment
No fixed expiry
A legionella risk assessment has no expiry date. HSE says the law does not require an annual or two-yearly review, only a periodic one and a fresh look when anything changes. Landlords must assess the risk, but a legionella test or certificate is not required.
Portable appliance testing (PAT)
No fixed legal interval
No law sets a PAT testing interval, and HSE says annual testing is not a legal requirement. The frequency depends on the equipment and where it is used. For kettles and other earthed kit in low-risk workplaces, HSE suggests a combined test every 1 to 2 years.
NMC registration and revalidation
Every 3 years
Nurses, midwives and nursing associates must revalidate with the NMC every three years and pay the annual fee every year. The revalidation application is due on the first day of the month in which registration expires. Miss it and registration lapses, so you cannot practise.
Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence
3 years
SIA licences last three years, except the vehicle immobiliser licence (Northern Ireland only), which lasts one year. They do not renew automatically. You can apply up to four months before expiry, and any time left is added to the new licence. Working without a required licence is a criminal offence.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Up to 5 years
In England, a rented home's electrics must be inspected and tested at least every 5 years, so an EICR lasts up to 5 years. If the report sets an earlier date, that date applies instead. Tenants must get a copy within 28 days.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
10 years
An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years. You need a valid one whenever you sell or let a property, and must commission it before marketing starts. If it expires during a tenancy, you need a new one before you next sell or let.
HMO licence (house in multiple occupation)
Up to 5 years
An HMO licence lasts for the period the council sets, up to a maximum of 5 years. It cannot be transferred and it ends if the holder dies. Apply to renew before it runs out: a valid application protects you while the council decides.
Landlord gas safety record (gas safety certificate, CP12)
12 months
A landlord gas safety record, often called a CP12, lasts 12 months. Each gas appliance and flue a landlord provides must be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer at least every 12 months. A check done in the 2 months before the deadline keeps the original due date.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes
On day one of each tenancy
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have no legal expiry date. In England, landlords must check they work on the day each new tenancy begins, and repair or replace any alarm reported faulty. Fire services advise testing smoke alarms monthly and replacing them every 10 years.
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC)
5 years
Driver CPC lasts five years. To keep driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally, you must complete 35 hours of periodic training before the deadline shown on your Driver CPC card. Driving professionally without it can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card
Usually 5 years
Most CSCS cards, including the Blue and Gold Skilled Worker, Manager and Supervisory cards, are valid for five years. The Labourer card lasts two years on first issue. Some cards last six months to three years and cannot be renewed. You can renew from six months before expiry.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
No official expiry
A DBS certificate has no official expiry date. It is accurate only on the day it was issued, and the employer decides when a new check is needed. Many NHS organisations re-check every three years, or use the DBS Update Service for continuous status checks.
Right to work check and follow-up checks
When permission ends
A correct check on someone with a continuous right to work, such as a British or Irish citizen or a settled person, never needs repeating. For time-limited permission, do a follow-up check on or before the date it ends, or within six months where the check gives a six-month excuse.
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
5 years
The National Restaurant Association recognizes the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification for five years. ServSafe Food Handler, Alcohol and Allergens certificates are recognized for three years. State, local and employer requirements can differ, so check with your health department.
CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
2 years
CPR and BLS certifications from the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross are valid for two years. AHA cards show a recommended renewal date two years after issue, through the end of that month. Employers and state rules can require more frequent training.
Forklift (powered industrial truck) operator certification
3 years
Under OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard, each forklift operator’s performance must be evaluated at least once every three years. Refresher training is also required sooner after an accident or near miss, unsafe operation, a failed evaluation, a new truck type or changed workplace conditions.
OSHA Outreach 10-hour and 30-hour course completion card
No federal expiry
OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour course completion cards do not expire under the federal program, which is voluntary. Some states, cities and employers set their own rules. Nevada cards for entertainment and convention work expire after 5 years, and New York City site safety cards last 5 years.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
Until the policy expires
A certificate of insurance has no validity period of its own. It is a snapshot of the policies listed, and each line shows a policy effective and expiration date. Once a listed policy expires, renews or is canceled, ask for a new certificate. Many business policies run for 12 months.
DOT medical examiner’s certificate (DOT medical card)
Up to 24 months
A DOT medical examiner’s certificate is valid for up to 24 months. The examiner can certify you for less, for example to monitor high blood pressure, and some conditions need yearly exams. The exam must be done by an examiner on FMCSA’s National Registry.
At a glance
Every guide in one table. The answer is the maximum period unless the guide says otherwise.
| Certificate or licence | Valid for | Basis | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food hygiene certificate (Level 1, 2 or 3) | No legal expiry | Recommended practice | England |
| Emergency lighting testing (BS 5266 guidance) | Monthly, plus a yearly full test | Recommended practice | England |
| Employers’ liability insurance certificate | As long as the policy | Issuer rule | England, Scotland & Wales |
| Fire alarm servicing (BS 5839-1 guidance) | Every 6 months (guidance) | Recommended practice | England |
| Fire risk assessment (FRA) | No fixed expiry | Recommended practice | England |
| First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate | 3 years | Issuer rule | Great Britain |
| Forklift (lift truck) training certificate | No legal expiry | Recommended practice | Great Britain |
| Legionella risk assessment | No fixed expiry | Recommended practice | Great Britain |
| Portable appliance testing (PAT) | No fixed legal interval | Recommended practice | Great Britain (workplaces) · England (rented homes) |
| NMC registration and revalidation | Every 3 years | Issuer rule | UK |
| Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence | 3 years | Issuer rule | UK |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | Up to 5 years | Legal requirement | England |
| Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) | 10 years | Legal requirement | England & Wales |
| HMO licence (house in multiple occupation) | Up to 5 years | Legal requirement | England |
| Landlord gas safety record (gas safety certificate, CP12) | 12 months | Legal requirement | Great Britain (England, Scotland & Wales) |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes | On day one of each tenancy | Recommended practice | England (rented homes) |
| Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) | 5 years | Legal requirement | England, Scotland & Wales |
| Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card | Usually 5 years | Issuer rule | UK |
| Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check | No official expiry | Recommended practice | England & Wales |
| Right to work check and follow-up checks | When permission ends | Legal requirement | UK |
| ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | 5 years | Issuer rule | United States |
| CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification | 2 years | Issuer rule | United States |
| Forklift (powered industrial truck) operator certification | 3 years | Legal requirement | All US states (federal OSHA rule) |
| OSHA Outreach 10-hour and 30-hour course completion card | No federal expiry | Recommended practice | United States (federal program) |
| Certificate of insurance (COI) | Until the policy expires | Issuer rule | United States |
| DOT medical examiner’s certificate (DOT medical card) | Up to 24 months | Legal requirement | All US states (federal rule) |
Guidance, not legal advice. Each guide names its jurisdiction and links the official sources, checked on 28 Sep 2026. Rules change, so check the source or take professional advice for your situation.