A PAT certificate is the written record issued after portable appliance testing has been completed on electrical equipment in the UK and Ireland. This document serves as formal proof that your portable electrical appliances have been inspected and tested for safety by a competent person.
PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing, and the resulting documentation is often called a PAT certificate, PAT report, or PAT testing certificate. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they all refer to the same fundamental record of inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
PAT certificates are commonly required by insurers, letting agents, local authorities, and health and safety officers as evidence of electrical safety compliance. Without proper documentation, businesses and landlords can struggle to demonstrate they’ve met their legal duties to maintain safe electrical appliances.
The certificate supports compliance with key legislation including:
What you’ll learn in this guide:
There is no single “PAT certificate law” that mandates testing at specific intervals. However, duty-holders must be able to prove that electrical equipment is maintained safely. A PAT certificate provides exactly this evidence.
Portable appliance testing is expected in numerous scenarios where electrical safety risks exist. These include:
Employers have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act to protect staff, visitors, and contractors from electrical hazards. This means ensuring all portable electrical equipment used in the workplace is safe and properly maintained.
Landlords across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have specific obligations. While the 5-year Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is legally required for rental properties, PAT testing of any appliances supplied by the landlord is strongly recommended. Many letting agents and local authorities expect to see current PAT certificates for appliances tested in rental properties.
Self-employed workers and mobile businesses such as DJs, caterers, mobile hairdressers, and market stallholders need PAT certificates for equipment used at client premises or public events. Venue owners and event organisers routinely request proof of electrical testing before allowing access.
Insurers, local licensing authorities, and event organisers often make a current PAT certificate a condition of cover or venue hire.
If you’re unsure whether you need a PAT certificate, the safest approach is to assume you do. Any portable equipment used by employees or the public should have formal records of inspection and testing.
There is no single official template for a PAT certificate, but a valid document must contain enough detail to prove what was tested, when, by whom, and with what result. Incomplete certificates can be rejected by insurers, safety auditors, or in court proceedings.
A proper portable appliance testing certificate should include:
Individual appliances may be listed directly on the certificate or in an attached schedule. Either way, there must be a clear link between the certificate summary and the itemised list of equipment testing results.
Missing address details, unsigned reports, or undated certificates significantly weaken the document’s evidential value. Such certificates may be rejected during insurance claims, fire safety audits, or legal proceedings following an incident.
At minimum, a respectable PAT certificate should contain these four elements:
A proper PAT certificate is very different from a simple “all okay” email. An informal message lacking detail, readings, and proper identification is not acceptable documentation for legal or insurance purposes.
A meaningful PAT certificate includes numerical test readings, not just “Pass” or “Fail” ticks. These readings provide objective evidence of equipment condition and allow comparison over time.
Key readings that should appear in the detailed report include:
Here’s an example of how a single item might appear in a thorough inspection and testing report:
“Kettle, Asset ID 00037, Staff Kitchen, Earth Continuity 0.08 Ω, Insulation > 299 MΩ, Result: Pass”
Some providers offering very cheap PAT testing omit actual readings to save time. This significantly weakens the certificate’s evidential value. If challenged in court or during an insurance investigation, a certificate showing only pass/fail labels without supporting data may not adequately demonstrate that proper testing electrical equipment procedures were followed.
The main certificate can summarise results at a high level, but the attached report should contain full figures for each item tested.
A modern PAT certificate is typically a PDF generated by PAT software or directly from the test equipment, then emailed to the client. Some smaller contractors still use paper forms, though digital records are becoming standard practice.
The typical layout includes:
Front page elements:
Summary section:
Breakdowns by location:
Individual appliances are referenced with:
Some providers include a suggested review date or “certificate valid until” notation. This serves as guidance only—there is no legal expiry date for a PAT certificate. The document records what was found on the test date; ongoing safety depends on proper maintenance between tests.
A professional, clearly formatted certificate stands in stark contrast to an unreliable handwritten list lacking dates, addresses, or readings. If your current documentation looks more like the latter, it’s time to engage a reputable testing service.
Walking through a typical professional certificate, you would see:
Cover details: Client logo (if provided), tester company logo, and a unique certificate reference number prominently displayed.
Statement of scope and limitations: Clear explanation of what was and was not included in this testing visit. This might note exclusions like fixed wiring or equipment that was inaccessible.
Compliance statement: Reference to relevant standards and guidance, such as the IET Code of Practice 5th Edition for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
Itemised schedule: Either included as additional pages or as a separate attachment. Each appliance listed with its ID number, description, location, test results, and status.
Sign-off section: Tester’s name, signature (physical or digital), qualifications, and date. This confirms who is taking responsibility for the testing work.
Professional certificates are formatted for easy navigation, allowing auditors or insurers to quickly find the information they need.
A PAT certificate can only be issued after physical inspection and testing of appliances has been completed. It cannot be legitimately purchased without actual work being done on your portable appliances.
Here’s a straightforward process for businesses and landlords:
Step 1: Compile an inventory List all plug-in and portable electrical items including kettles, monitors, extension leads, power tools, fans, heaters, and any specialised equipment. Don’t forget items in storage cupboards or rarely-used areas.
Step 2: Define scope Decide which sites and rooms are in scope for the first visit. For multi-site businesses, you might prioritise higher risk environments first.
Step 3: Obtain quotes Contact reputable PAT companies or qualified electrician services. Typical UK pricing ranges from £1.00 to £3.00 per item, plus a call-out fee or minimum charge. Very large quantities may attract discounts.
Step 4: Book a date Agree access arrangements. Many providers offer evening or weekend testing to minimise disruption—useful for restaurants, retail premises, or call centres where daytime testing would affect operations.
Step 5: Testing visit Allow the PAT testers to label equipment, carry out visual inspections and electrical tests, and discuss any failures immediately. Faulty appliances should be removed from service on the spot or clearly marked as failed.
Step 6: Receive documentation Expect your certificate and itemised report within 1-3 working days, usually by email as a PDF.
Before booking, verify that your provider:
Very low-priced PAT testing—sometimes advertised at 50p per item or less—often results in rushed, inadequate work. The consequences of poor testing can be severe if an electrical incident occurs.
Red flags to watch for:
Questions to ask potential providers:
A cheap, incomplete PAT certificate offers poor protection in the event of an electrical fire or injury claim. The few pounds saved won’t cover legal costs if your documentation is found inadequate.
UK law requires that electrical equipment is maintained in a safe condition. The law does not specifically require PAT certificates, but certificates are the most practical way to prove compliance.
Key UK regulations:
HSE guidance promotes a risk-based approach to electrical equipment testing. This means:
The IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (currently 5th Edition) is widely accepted as best practice. Following this guidance demonstrates a thorough approach to maintain safety standards.
PAT certificates support:
There is no fixed statutory interval written into UK law mandating annual testing or any other specific frequency. The PAT testing frequency depends on risk assessment for your specific environment and equipment types.
Typical testing frequencies:
EnvironmentEquipment TypeSuggested IntervalConstruction sitesPower tools, 110V equipment3-6 monthsWorkshops, kitchensHigh-use appliances6-12 monthsHotels, schoolsMixed equipment12 monthsOffices (IT equipment)Computers, monitors2-4 yearsLow risk environmentsDesk lamps, phone chargersUp to 4 years
These are guidelines, not legal requirements. A thorough inspection combined with regular visual inspections between formal PAT tests ensures ongoing safety.
For rental properties, many letting agents and local authorities expect annual testing of any portable appliances supplied by the landlord. This aligns with broader expectations around landlord responsibilities.
The certificate date is a snapshot. Safe systems must be maintained between tests through user checks, pre use checks, prompt reporting of damage, and immediate removal of faulty appliances from service.
Link your PAT schedule to your overall health and safety policy and fire risk assessment for a coherent approach to electrical testing.
The term “PAT certificate” can refer to two distinct documents, and confusion between them is common.
PAT test certificate for equipment: This is the evidence that portable appliances have been tested. It documents specific items at a specific location on a specific date.
PAT training certificate for individuals: This demonstrates that a person has completed a PAT testing course and is competent to carry out portable appliance testing.
PAT Training Certificate Details:
A PAT training certificate is issued after successful completion of a recognised course. This might be a one-day practical course or online training programme. The certificate demonstrates that the holder understands:
Common training routes include City & Guilds 2377 or equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies. Most training providers recommend refresher courses every 3-5 years to stay current with updated guidance and equipment.
For employers considering in-house PAT testing:
The equipment certificate proves your appliances are safe. The training certificate proves the person doing the testing is competent. Both serve essential but different purposes.
There is no legal requirement for a PAT certificate to come from an external contractor or qualified electrician. The person issuing it must simply be competent to inspect, test, and interpret results.
What “competent” means:
In-house PAT testing works well for:
External specialists are recommended for:
The advantage of in-house testing is control and flexibility—you can test new equipment immediately and maintain your own schedules. The disadvantage is the investment in training, equipment, and staff time. For many smaller businesses, the minimum requirement is simply to engage a reputable external provider.
External testing brings independence and credibility, particularly valuable if your certificate might be scrutinised by insurers or in legal proceedings. The cost is typically modest for most businesses.
Understanding typical costs helps you budget appropriately and spot unrealistic quotes that might indicate corner-cutting.
Realistic UK cost guidance:
Ways to control costs without sacrificing quality:
Good record-keeping practice:
Store certificates and reports digitally with clear file names: “PAT_Certificate_HeadOffice_March2024_ABCTesting.pdf”
Keep at least one full testing cycle of historic certificates (typically 3-5 years) for trend analysis and to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
Ensure copies are accessible to:
Link PAT certificates to other safety documentation:
For rental properties, keep PAT certificates alongside gas safety certificates, EICRs, and other compliance documents. This creates a comprehensive safety file that satisfies letting agents and demonstrates your commitment to tenant safety.
Regular testing combined with proper documentation forms an essential part of your overall approach to electrical safety. User checks between formal tests—encouraging staff to report damaged cables, cracked casings, or equipment that’s overheating—complete the picture.
A detailed, well-kept PAT certificate is your first line of defence in demonstrating legal compliance, supporting insurance claims, and maintaining day-to-day electrical safety. The document proves you’ve taken reasonable steps to ensure safety and protect people from electrical hazards.
Whether you manage a small office, run a construction company, or own rental properties, proper PAT documentation matters. Start by auditing your current portable appliances, engage a reputable PAT testing provider, and establish a system for maintaining your records going forward.
Don’t wait for an incident to discover your documentation isn’t adequate. Take action now to ensure your electrical equipment is tested, your records are thorough, and your certificate is ready when someone asks for it.
