How much do IPAF and PASMA courses cost?

Question Answer

IPAF and PASMA course cost depends on the category (single MEWP category, combined 3A + 3B, Towers for Users etc.), the group size and whether training runs at our Cannock centre or on your site. Renewals and the half-day modules (Harness Awareness, Towers for Stairs, PAV) are the cheapest options. CITB Levy-registered employers can usually grant-recover IPAF and PASMA training.

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Key facts

Single-category courses (IPAF 3A, IPAF 3B, IPAF 1B, PASMA Towers for Users) are 1 day. This is the standard cost band.
Combined courses (IPAF 3A + 3B at 1.5 days) cost less per category than booking them separately.
Half-day modules (IPAF Harness Awareness, PASMA Towers for Stairs, PAV) are the cheapest single-card options.
Renewals cost the same as the original course (no shortened renewal route).
Group bookings cut the per-operative cost. Three or more operatives on the same course is the typical break-even point versus solo booking.
On-site delivery can lower cost for groups of three or more by removing operator travel and downtime.
CITB Levy-registered employers can usually grant-recover IPAF and PASMA training. Worth claiming for any group booking.

What drives IPAF and PASMA pricing?

Six factors set the cost of any IPAF or PASMA course:

Course category. A 1-day IPAF 3A is more expensive than a half-day Harness Awareness; a 1.5-day combined 3A + 3B is more expensive than a single category but cheaper per card.
Group size. Booking three operatives together is materially cheaper per person than booking one.
Delivery location. On-site delivery at your yard or project removes operator travel, accommodation and lost-time costs. Centre-based delivery at our Cannock facility avoids the Tester-day travel cost.
Equipment supply. On-site delivery requires the employer to provide a representative MEWP or tower for the practical assessment. Centre-based delivery uses our equipment.
Combined vs separate bookings. A combined IPAF 3A + 3B course saves a half-day on the equivalent two separate bookings.
CITB Levy status. If your company pays the Levy, IPAF and PASMA training is usually grant-recoverable.

Cost bands by course

Listed in order of typical cost from lowest to highest. Actual quotes depend on the factors above.

Lowest: half-day modules – IPAF Harness Awareness (User), PASMA Towers for Stairs, IPAF PAV.
Mid: one-day modules – IPAF 3A, 3B or 1B, PASMA Towers for Users, PASMA Towers for Managers, Harness Awareness & Inspection.
Higher: 1.5-day combined IPAF 3A + 3B.
Highest (per operative): multi-course blocks (e.g. Towers for Users + IPAF 3A + 3B + Harness Awareness over 3–3.5 days). Per-card cost in a block is often lower than booking the same cards individually.

Group bookings and on-site delivery

Per-operative cost falls quickly as group size rises. The biggest cost in any IPAF or PASMA course is instructor time and equipment provision, both of which are shared across the group. For employers training three or more operatives on the same course, group bookings cut the per-operative price substantially. Combine group bookings with on-site delivery and the per-head cost typically drops to its lowest. The on-site model needs the employer to provide a representative machine (MEWP for IPAF, tower for PASMA) and a safe operating area for the practical assessment. MPTT brings the instructor, the assessment paperwork and the theory test materials. Detail in our on-site IPAF and PASMA FAQ.

CITB Levy: when training is grant-recoverable

If your company is registered with the CITB and pays the Levy, the CITB Grant Scheme covers most IPAF and PASMA training. Grant rates are published annually by CITB and depend on the course and the duration. The grant is paid to the employer, not to MPTT. MPTT issues the achievement documentation the CITB needs to release the grant. For Levy-registered employers training operatives in volume, the grant materially reduces the net cost of an IPAF and PASMA programme. Always check current grant rates on the CITB Grants and Funding page before budgeting.

Why we don’t publish a fixed price list

IPAF and PASMA pricing on the open web is rarely a like-for-like comparison. A ‘low’ headline price advertised by one provider might exclude the IPAF or PASMA card fee, the on-site delivery surcharge, the equipment-provision surcharge if the employer cannot supply a representative machine, or the renewal fee for an expired card. The operative or employer ends up paying those separately. We quote one all-in figure for the course you actually need, after we have confirmed the category, the group size, the delivery location and the renewal status.

What you get for the price at MPTT

Every IPAF and PASMA course we run is delivered at our accredited centre (or on your site), by IPAF- and PASMA-approved instructors. The price includes the training itself, the theory and practical assessment, the IPAF or PASMA registration fee, the card fee, all course materials, and the temporary certificate on the day. The physical card follows in the post within a few weeks. Backed by over 200 five-star Google reviews.

Quick answers to related questions

Is a renewal cheaper than the original course?

No. Both IPAF and PASMA require the full course to be repeated at renewal. The cost band is the same as the original course. Group renewals do reduce per-operative cost though.

Is on-site IPAF or PASMA cheaper than centre-based?

For groups of three or more operatives, typically yes. The instructor-day cost spreads across the group, and the employer saves operative travel and lost site time. For one or two operatives, centre-based delivery is often cheaper.

Can I claim CITB Levy on IPAF and PASMA training?

Yes, if your company is CITB Levy-registered. The grant is paid to the employer on production of the achievement documentation we issue after the course.

Last updated: 2026-05-21. Reviewed by the MPTT work-at-height training team, IPAF- and PASMA-approved instructors.

Need a Price for Your IPAF or PASMA Booking?

Midland Plant Training & Testing quotes one all-in figure based on the categories, the operative count and whether the training runs at our centre or on your site. No hidden card or registration fees added later. If your company is CITB Levy-registered, we will set you up with the documentation you need to recover the grant. Tell us the categories, the operative count and the deadline, and we will send you a price.

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