Free · Validity guide · UK (PASMA scheme)

How long is a PASMA card valid?

Updated 25 Oct 2026Sources checked
Issuer ruleUK (PASMA scheme)

Usually 5 years

A PASMA certificate is valid until the expiry date printed on it, and PASMA describes five years as the usual period. To renew, you attend a course with a PASMA approved training centre, including a written and practical test, before the expiry date.

Work out your PASMA card expiry date

Runs in your browser. Nothing is sent or stored.

If the certificate shows an expiry date, use that instead.

PASMA prints the expiry date on each certificate and describes five years as the usual period. If the date on your certificate differs, track that date.

Enter a date to see when it expires, how many days are left, when to book the renewal, and to add reminders to your calendar.

Validity
Until the printed expiry date, usually 5 years[2]
Renewal
Retrain at an approved centre before the expiry date[1]
Test
Written and practical test on the course[1]

Who needs a PASMA card

People who assemble, alter, dismantle or inspect mobile access towers, where the employer or principal contractor asks for PASMA training as evidence of competence under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

What happens if it expires

  • Sites that require PASMA can refuse to let the person build or alter towers until they retrain.
  • PASMA’s FAQ does not describe a grace period after expiry; check with a training centre.

How to renew

  1. Check the expiry date

    It is on the certificate and the virtual card.

  2. Book a course at an approved centre

    Renewal is by retraining, with a written and practical test.

  3. Keep the same card number

    PASMA updates the virtual card automatically after the new course.

When to book

9

weeks

Book about eight weeks before expiry. This is our suggestion, not a PASMA rule.

A simple reminder plan: 90 days, 60 days, 30 days, 7 days before the expiry date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.

Evidence to keep

  • Certificate or virtual card number and expiry date for each person.
  • Course type (for example towers for users, or low-level access).

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the card never expires.
  • Booking after the expiry date.

For teams and managers

Tracking work-at-height training for a team?

ExpiryEdge keeps every PASMA and IPAF expiry on one list, reminds the person and their supervisor, and collects the new certificate by upload link.

See certification tracking
FAQ

PASMA card questions, answered

Until the expiry date on the certificate. PASMA describes five years as the usual period.

Attend a training course with a PASMA approved training centre, including a written and practical test, before the expiry date. You then receive a new certificate and your virtual card updates.

No law names PASMA, but the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require people working at height to be competent, and many sites accept PASMA training as evidence.

Sources

Every rule on this page comes from these official sources.

  1. 1.

    PASMA FAQs: cards and certificates

    PASMA · pasma.co.uk · checked 25 Oct 2026

  2. 2.

    PASMA news: card extension and the usual five-year period

    PASMA · pasma.co.uk · checked 25 Oct 2026

Guidance, not legal advice. This covers UK (PASMA scheme) and reflects the sources as checked on 25 Oct 2026. Check the official source or take professional advice for your situation.

Email me if the PASMA card rules change

Optional. Everything on this page is already yours without it.

We use your email only for this. See our privacy policy.

Related free resources

TemplateStaff training matrixWho holds which certificate and when it expires, with a colour-coded people × certificates grid.Validity guide · UKHow long is an IPAF card valid?5 yearsAn IPAF PAL card is valid for five years.Validity guide · UKHow long is a CSCS card valid?Usually 5 yearsMost CSCS cards, including the Blue and Gold Skilled Worker, Manager and Supervisory cards, are valid for five years.Validity guide · UKHow long are SMSTS and SSSTS certificates valid?5 yearsCITB says SMSTS and SSSTS certification is valid for five years.Validity guide · UKHow long is a CPCS card valid, and how do you renew it?5 years (blue card)A blue CPCS Competent Operator card is issued for five years.Validity guide · UKHow long is an NPORS card valid?2 years (red) or 5 years (blue)An NPORS CSCS-branded Trained Operator (red) card is valid for two years and can be extended once by 12 months if you are registered for an NVQ.