PAT Testing Training vs. Online Only Courses – What’s the Difference?

When you’re researching PAT testing training, you’ll quickly see two main options: online-only courses and classroom-based training. Online courses often look tempting, with prices around £30 and a completion time of under an hour. But are they enough to prepare you for real-world testing? Let’s compare.

Online-Only PAT Testing Courses

• Usually take less than an hour to complete – some advertise around 50 minutes total.
• Good for basic awareness, but with no practical element.
• You won’t handle different types of PAT testers or appliances during the training.
• Certificates from online-only courses are often not recognised by employers.
• No ongoing support – once you’ve clicked through, you’re on your own.

Classroom-Based PAT Testing Training

By contrast, a proper training course like ours at GetTesting is far more comprehensive:

• In-depth content – each section of our course takes around 50 minutes in itself. You’ll leave with a full understanding, not just a tick-box certificate.
• Ask real questions – every delegate can ask about their own work environment. You benefit from the trainer’s 14 years of hands-on PAT testing experience.
• Try different PAT testers – you’ll get hands-on practice with a range of machines, so you know which one is right for you before you buy. This avoids costly mistakes such as buying a tester that’s too advanced or doesn’t meet your needs.
• Focused learning – training in a classroom means your phone’s on silent, your emails are on auto-reply, and you can concentrate without distractions.

Risk Assessment Training

PAT testing isn’t just about pressing a button on a machine – it’s about assessing risk. Using our comprehensive formula, we show you how to safely assess the risks in your workplace or guide the duty holder through the process. This ensures your testing isn’t just a box-ticking exercise but part of a meaningful safety strategy.

Competence and Ongoing Support

Competence comes from a mix of knowledge, practice, and experience. While an online course might give you a short burst of theory, it doesn’t provide the depth or the support you need to become truly competent. At GetTesting, we don’t just train you and send you away – we offer ongoing support to help you ease into the process, answer your questions, and build real confidence as you start PAT testing in your workplace.

Which Should You Choose?

If you want to understand the basics, an online-only course might give you a short overview. But if you’re serious about carrying out PAT testing safely and competently, classroom-based training is essential. It gives you the confidence, experience, and knowledge that online courses simply can’t deliver.

At GetTesting, our courses are designed to provide both the theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills you need to start testing right away – with ongoing support whenever you need it.