What is a P402 certificate?

If you’ve been investigating potential routes to becoming an asbestos surveyor, or if you are interested in pursuing other career options in the asbestos or environmental safety industries, the chances are that you will have heard of the P402 qualification.

By completing a P402 asbestos course, you can equip yourself with background and practical knowledge in the surveying of buildings for asbestos. This course also sets out guidance on the management procedures required to minimise exposure to any identified asbestos.

But what else do you need to know about the P402 certificate, and could obtaining this qualification provide an important foundation for your longer-term ambitions? Below, we explain the key aspects.

What exactly is a P402 certificate?

The P402 certificate is a formal qualification awarded by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). This course is recognised as the industry standard for professionals conducting asbestos surveys in the UK.

Titled “Surveying and Sampling Strategies for Asbestos in Buildings”, the P402 course is designed to ensure surveyors possess the necessary knowledge and skills for the accurate identification and management of asbestos.

The P402 certificate is far from the only asbestos-related qualification in the UK. For example, prospective asbestos surveyors may also consider the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)’s Level 3 Award in Asbestos Surveying. This course can be considered an equivalent to the P402 certificate, and covers such topics as asbestos types, uses, surveying, and management.

Otherwise, the P402 course is distinctive in the landscape of asbestos training in the UK because of its focus on asbestos surveying techniques.

Who should consider getting a P402 certificate?

The P402 certificate is particularly targeted at the following groups:

• Individuals who aspire to become asbestos surveyors.
• Health and safety professionals seeking to specialise in asbestos risk management.
• Property managers or consultants involved in building maintenance or refurbishment.

If you are seeking to comply with legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), this could be a further reason for you to consider taking on the P402 course.

Obtaining a P402 certificate can also be a stepping stone for career progression into more specialised roles, such as lead surveyor, asbestos analyst, or trainer.

Why is the P402 certificate important in the asbestos industry?

There are a number of reasons why taking on and completing the P402 course can be so crucial for people who may be looking to survey or manage asbestos:

• Compliance: professionals involved in asbestos management are legally obliged to follow stringent UK regulations.
• Safety: prospective surveyors can use this course to acquire the expertise that would enable them to effectively identify and mitigate asbestos. This, in turn, can help minimise any dangers to the health of building occupants and workers.
• Professional credibility: when clients and employers are able to see that you have completed a P402 course, it will demonstrate to them that you have undergone formal training and are committed to adhering to best practices.
• Employability: many employers make clear that holding a P402 certificate is a prerequisite for their vacancies in asbestos surveying and related fields.

What does the P402 course involve?

If you decide to go ahead and enrol on the P402 course, this is what you can expect:

• Structure and delivery

This course is typically delivered over three to five days, and combines classroom theory with hands-on practical training. Learners can take on this course in a choice of formats, including in-person, online, or hybrid (a combination of in-person and online).

• Key topics

You can anticipate receiving instruction in the below subjects when you take on a P402 course:

• The types, properties, and risks associated with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
• How to carry out asbestos surveys – including management surveys, refurbishment surveys, and demolition surveys.
• Sampling strategies and protocols for the testing of materials suspected to be ACMs
• The writing of clear and compliant survey reports.

The practical sessions as part of a P402 course will include simulated surveys, so that you can apply your learning in real-world scenarios.

As for the theoretical elements, these will concentrate on regulatory frameworks such as CAR 2012, as well as guidance from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), such as the regulator’s Asbestos: The survey guide publication under the HSG264 series code.

What are the prerequisites for enrolling in a P402 course?

There aren’t any mandatory prerequisites for prospective entrants into a P402 course.

However, it can be advantageous if the candidate possesses:

• Basic knowledge of construction materials and building structures
• Familiarity with health and safety concepts – particularly related to hazardous materials

If you have little or no experience, you may consider completing introductory asbestos awareness training, such as a course approved by the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), before you proceed to the P402 course.

How do you complete the P402 certification?

So, presuming you decide to pursue the P402 qualification, you will need to take the following steps:

• The training process You will need to seek out, and enrol in, a BOHS-accredited training provider that offers the P402 course. This will be followed by an obligation to attend theoretical and practical sessions and to complete all required modules.

• The assessment process As a learner on this course, you can expect to undergo a written examination. This will be designed to test your theoretical knowledge in such aspects as the asbestos regulations and survey techniques.There will also be a practical assessment, which will require you to conduct a simulated survey and produce a detailed report.

• Certification If you are successful in passing the course, you will receive a P402 certificate from BOHS. According to available information, the overall pass rate for the P402 course is around 70%.

How much does it cost to get a P402 certificate?

The fee for the P402 course generally ranges from £450 to £800, depending on the specific provider and location.

However, there are further costs you may need to account for, such as:

• Materials or study guides (if not included with your chosen course).
• Examination fees (often bundled with course costs).
• Travel and/or accommodation, if you need to attend an in-person course away from home.

There may be options for making a P402 course more affordable. Employers may offer sponsorships, grants, or bursaries to those who pursue this course for professional development purposes. Some providers of P402 training may also offer payment plans.

How long does the P402 certificate remain valid?

The validity of a P402 certificate isn’t typically time-limited. Instead, the emphasis is on ensuring the qualification holder’s ongoing professional competence.

We recommend that once you have obtained your P402 certificate, you consider the following actions for keeping your knowledge and skills up to date:

• Participating in regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
• Pursuing supplementary certifications like P405 (Management of Asbestos in Buildings) to expand your skills and remain current with evolving industry standards.

What career opportunities can the P402 open up?

Completing a P402 course can be an excellent investment. There continues to be high demand for certified asbestos professionals, due to ongoing asbestos-related risks in ageing infrastructure across the UK. Indeed, it has been estimated that there could still be as many as 1.5 million buildings up and down the country that contain asbestos.

Unsurprisingly, then, P402 certification is a proven route to bolstering earning potential. Competitive salaries range from £25,000 to £45,000 or more, depending on experience and location.

Roles that could become immediately available to you on completion of a P402 course include as an asbestos surveyor (undertaking management, refurbishment or demolition surveys), as well as junior roles in health and safety or environmental consultancy.

As you gain experience, you may look to progress to roles such as lead surveyor, asbestos consultant, or compliance officer.

Furthermore, the P402 certificate can serve as a great foundation for more advanced qualifications, such as the aforementioned P405, or asbestos analyst certifications like P403 (Air Sampling and Fibre Counting) and P404 (Clearance Testing and the Requirements of a Certificate for Reoccupation).

How do you choose the right P402 training provider?

When you are comparing providers of P402 courses, we would urge you to make sure your chosen course is BOHS-accredited. This will allow you to have the utmost confidence in the given training provider’s credibility and compliance with industry standards.

In addition, you are advised to evaluate the following aspects:

• The course provider’s reputation: seek out reviews, testimonials, and information on success rates to guide your choice.
• The quality of the trainers: don’t be afraid to ask for information about course leaders’ industry experience and teaching credentials.
• The availability of practical components such as mock surveys and realistic scenarios in which to test and demonstrate your newly acquired skills and knowledge.

Don’t forget, too, to look at the support services the course provider offers. Consider how flexible the course formats and scheduling are, and whether access is given to post-training resources or refresher options.

In addition to avoiding any P402 courses that lack proper accreditation, we would encourage you to beware any courses that seem unusually cheap.

Is the P402 certificate the right fit for your career goals?

A P402 qualification can make sense for various professional situations and aspirations:

• If you are a newcomer, it can be a strong starting point for entering the asbestos or environmental safety industries. It can also provide a pathway to more specialised qualifications.
• If you are an established professional, completing this course can be a great way to diversify your skills or transition into asbestos-specific roles.

Ultimately, by assessing your career ambitions, researching the demands of your local jobs market, and consulting with employers or mentors for guidance, you can ensure you make the right choice of qualification and course for your needs.

To learn more about any of our asbestos-related services at Oracle Solutions – including, but not limited to, asbestos training – please contact us.