Description
About the Course
Under LOLER, lifting equipment, accessories and attachments must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at set intervals, and every examination has to be properly recorded. Chains, slings, shackles, eyebolts and lifting attachments that aren’t checked properly can fail without warning. The NPORS N019 Report of Thorough Examination course gives you the training, testing and recognised card you need to carry out thorough examinations and complete the report correctly.
Whether you’re carrying out thorough examinations for the first time or you’re an experienced examiner who needs to renew, we have a route for you. You can choose a full 2-day novice course or a 1-day refresher course.
Key Course Information
- Accreditation: NPORS
- Duration:
- Novice Course: 2 days
- Refresher Course: 1 day, with proof of previous certification
- Card Validity:
- NPORS Traditional: 5 years
- NPORS Red Trained Operator: 2 years
- Location: Nationwide
Who Is This Course For?
This course is built for anyone who inspects, or needs to inspect, lifting equipment, accessories and attachments in construction, plant hire, manufacturing, engineering or facilities maintenance. It’s particularly well suited to:
- Staff taking on responsibility for examining lifting equipment for the first time
- Experienced inspectors who need a recognised card for workplace compliance
- Plant hire, stores and maintenance staff who look after slings, chains and lifting accessories
- Employers who need a competent person in-house to meet LOLER, client or insurer requirements
Entry Requirements
- A good working understanding of spoken and written English
- For the NPORS Red Trained Operator Card with the CSCS logo only: the CITB Operatives Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) Touchscreen Test, passed within the last 2 years. If you haven’t taken it yet, we can help you book it.
What You Will Learn
The course covers everything from identifying lifting equipment to carrying out a full thorough examination and completing the report, so you can inspect confidently and keep the right records. By the end, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the risks of the industry and your responsibilities as a competent person inspecting lifting equipment, accessories and attachments
- Follow the manufacturer’s technical data and the relevant regulations and legislation
- Identify different types of lifting equipment, accessories and attachments, and examine how they’re made, what they’re used for and how they work
- Find and use information from the relevant documentation
- Explain and carry out a full thorough examination
- Complete a report of thorough examination correctly
- Understand the environmental considerations of inspection work
- Carry out storage and securing procedures
How You’re Assessed
Novice route (2 days): Day 1 covers classroom theory and hands-on practical training in examining lifting equipment and accessories. On day 2, you’ll sit the NPORS theory and practical tests. With a maximum of 8 candidates per instructor, there’s plenty of time to work through real inspections.
Refresher route (1 day): This route is for examiners who already hold a valid or recently expired N019 card. It refreshes your knowledge of current legislation and good practice before you sit the NPORS tests.
What Card Will I Get?
Pass both tests and you’ll receive one of the following:
- NPORS Traditional Card: valid for 5 years. No HS&E touchscreen test needed.
- NPORS Red Trained Operator Card (CSCS logo): valid for 2 years. Only available if you’ve passed the CITB Operatives HS&E touchscreen test within the last 2 years.
Both cards cover the N019 Report of Thorough Examination category.
Renewing and Upgrading Your Card
- Traditional Card: no NVQ is required. After 5 years, you’ll retake the test to renew or submit a renewal form to NPORS.
- Red Trained Operator Card: this card is valid for 2 years and can’t be renewed like-for-like. You’ll need to complete the Level 3 NVQ in Testing, Inspecting and Thorough Examination Occupations and hold an operatives touchscreen test passed within the last 2 years to upgrade to the Blue card, so it’s worth starting early.
- Blue Competent Operator Card: valid for 5 years. To renew, you’ll need to complete a logbook showing your inspection experience, hold a valid operatives touchscreen test completed within the last 2 years and submit a renewal form every 5 years.
Download Course Information
Download the full NPORS N019 Report of Thorough Examination course PDF to save or share with your employer.
Ready to Book?
Check availability, get a quote, or secure your place on the next available course date. Our team will get back to you within one working day.


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