NPTC Assessment Process

NPTC Qualifications (Certificates of Competence)

After a Lantra training course, you will either gain a Certificate of Attendance, or a Certificate of Training (Integrated Training and Assessment courses).  Certificates of Training are valid for up to 5 years and are sufficient for the basic level of chainsawing (felling up to 8" trees). 

For more advanced and professional chainsaw operating, it is necessary to achieve a Certificate of Competence.  This is valid for life, but evidence of updating that knowledge is required every 3 years thereafter.  To achieve a Certificate of Competence, you will need to take an NPTC assessment that is entirely separate from the training course.

If you book well in advance, it is likely that we can arrange an assessment date that is very soon after the course finishes.  In some cases, we can book assessments for the Saturday after a five day course.  However, for late bookings, there may be a delay before the assessment takes place.  

NPTC Assessments

The NPTC assessments are arranged through specialist Assessment Centres who hire in assessors for your particular subject.  We are happy to arrange these assessments and deal with the administration of the assessment fee.  We do not make any money from assessments, however, if the transaction goes through us, we are bound to charge VAT. 
 
If you wish, you can pay for the training and assessments at the same time as a package, or we can arrange the assessment and you can pay the assessment centre direct by cheque or card, or you can arrange your own assessments.

If you are not VAT registered, it would be cheaper to pay the Assessment Centre direct, because assessments are VAT exempt when paid for direct.  If you are VAT registered, then we can take your payment and you can claim the VAT back as normal.

Assessment Centre fees vary.  We are more than happy to search for the closest Assessment Centre to you and to arrange the assessments for you. Otherwise, we arrange the assessments through our local Assessment Centre.

Most assessors are also freelance trainers and also involved in practical tree work in one way or another.  In short, they are as keen for you to pass as you are.

If you have any special requirements, such as health, mobility or learning needs, these can be taken into account and more time allowed for the assessment to take place.