What is the IPAF PAL Card?
The IPAF PAL Card (Powered Access Licence) is the photo-ID card issued by IPAF after successful MEWP training. It records every MEWP category the operator is signed off on (1B, 3A, 3B, etc.), is valid for five years, and is the credential UK site supervisors expect to see before authorising powered access work at height.
Key facts
- PAL = Powered Access Licence. Issued by IPAF.
- Photo-ID credit-card format. Carries the operator’s name, photo, IPAF number and the MEWP categories trained.
- Valid for five years from the date of training.
- Renewed by retraining at an accredited IPAF centre. No exam-only renewal.
- Recognised by HSE, CSCS, all Tier 1 main contractors and the major plant hire firms.
- The QR code on the card links to the IPAF central database, so site teams can verify a card on the spot.
What the PAL Card looks like and what it shows
The PAL Card is a credit-card-sized photo-ID card. The front carries the operator’s name, photo, an IPAF operator number and the issue / expiry dates. The reverse lists every IPAF MEWP category the operator has been trained on, plus optional endorsements such as IPAF Harness Awareness or MEWPs for Managers. The QR code on the front links to the IPAF central database (ePAL). Site teams who verify a PAL Card at induction read the QR code, confirm the categories are current and check there are no revocations. Operators who have lost the physical card can show the ePAL digital version from the IPAF app, which contractors are increasingly comfortable accepting.
How to get a PAL Card
- Pick the categories the operator needs (3A scissor, 3B boom, 1B static boom etc.). See our MEWP categories FAQ.
- Book the training at an accredited IPAF centre such as MPTT. The typical course is one day per category, or 1.5 days for combined 3A + 3B.
- Complete the theory and practical assessment. Theory is a short multiple-choice paper. Practical is observed by an IPAF instructor on the machine.
- IPAF issues the PAL Card centrally; it arrives in the post a few weeks after the course. A temporary certificate is issued on the day so the operator can start work immediately.
The PAL Card categories accumulate on a single card. You do not collect separate cards per category.
What the operator can do with a PAL Card
The PAL Card authorises the operator to operate any MEWP in the categories on the card, anywhere a contractor accepts IPAF (which is essentially every UK construction, civils, facilities-management and high-end maintenance contractor). It does not authorise the operator to operate a MEWP in a category not on the card. A 3A holder cannot operate a 3B; a 3B holder cannot operate a mast climber unless they also hold MR or MO. The card is also the credential most contractors require before a MEWP can be lifted from the plant hire fleet.
PAL Card and harness use
A PAL Card on its own is the operator credential. It does not document harness training. For 3B (boom) work and many vehicle-mounted 1B jobs, a harness is required by the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and the operator should hold IPAF Harness Awareness as a separate but related credential. Operators booking 3B for the first time typically take Harness Awareness on the same course block.
PAL Card validity and renewal
The card is valid for five years from the date of training, not from issue. Renewal is by retraining at an accredited IPAF centre. Course duration on renewal is the same as the original. There is no shortened theory-only renewal route. Book the renewal 8–10 weeks before expiry so a retest failure (rare on properly trained operators) can be cleared without a gap. Full detail in our card validity FAQ.
If the card is lost or stolen
IPAF can reissue a PAL Card from their central database. The operator contacts IPAF (or MPTT can do it on their behalf) and orders a replacement. The ePAL digital card in the IPAF app is a useful fallback because it cannot be lost from a wallet and contractors increasingly accept it. The operator’s training record is not lost. Only the physical card is being replaced.
Related questions
- What MEWP categories does IPAF cover?
- What’s the difference between IPAF and PASMA?
- How long are IPAF and PASMA cards valid?
- How long do IPAF and PASMA courses take?
- Do I need a harness on a MEWP?
Quick answers to related questions
How long does a PAL Card take to arrive?
IPAF posts the physical card within a few weeks of training. A temporary certificate is issued on the day of training so the operator can start work immediately, and the ePAL digital version is available in the IPAF app as soon as IPAF processes the result.
Can I add a category to an existing PAL Card?
Yes. Take the additional training at an accredited centre. The PAL Card is reissued with the new category endorsed. The renewal date covers the whole card, not each category separately.
Do I need a PAL Card if I only use a push-around vertical?
Yes. PAV is its own IPAF category and the operator needs PAV training and the PAL Card endorsement. PAV is shorter to train than 3A but the credential is the same scheme.
Last updated: 2026-05-21. Reviewed by the MPTT work-at-height training team, IPAF- and PASMA-approved instructors.
Need a PAL Card for Your Team?
Midland Plant Training & Testing is an accredited IPAF training centre. We deliver the operator courses that lead to the PAL Card across the 1B, 3A, 3B, PAV and harness categories, plus the MEWPs for Managers e-learning route at IPAF MEWPs for Managers. Tell us the categories, the operator count and the deadline, and we will book the next available course.
