PAT Testing Course – Preston
Join our hands-on PAT Testing training course — small group size, full-day practical workshop, lunch, refreshments & certificate of compliance included.
- ✓Duration: 1 Day
- ✓Certification: GetTesting Certificate of Competence
- ✓Validity: No expiry
- ✓Equipment Required: None, but you can train on your tester if you have one
- ✓Experience Level: Suitable for beginners and trades
- ✓Price: From £143.20 (varies by date and availability)
Choose your date below!
Need another date?
Need a different PAT testing course date near Preston?
If the Preston course date you are looking at is full or does not quite work for you, you may find another suitable option at one of our nearby PAT testing course venues.
Preston is well placed for learners travelling across Lancashire and the wider North West, with nearby course dates often available in Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and other surrounding locations.
About This PAT Testing Course
Join our in-person PAT Testing course and gain the skills you need to test and maintain electrical appliances safely and confidently.
This course is designed for anyone responsible for appliance safety — from facilities teams and caretakers to landlords, business owners, and maintenance staff. No prior electrical experience is required.
Practical, Real-World Training
PAT Testing Courses with Hands-On Experience
Learn PAT testing in a real training environment with industry-standard equipment. Our courses combine classroom learning with practical sessions, ensuring you leave confident and competent to carry out testing safely and effectively.
Master the Essentials of PAT Testing
What You’ll Learn
Key safety principles and legal requirements for PAT testing
How to carry out thorough visual inspections and spot potential hazards
Correct test techniques using a variety of PAT testers
How to interpret test results and understand equipment limitations
Proper record-keeping, labelling, and documentation to meet compliance standards
The course combines clear, classroom-based learning with guided practical exercises, so you’ll leave confident in both theory and hands-on skills.
Everything you need for the day — and support that goes beyond it.
What's Included?
- Pre-course welcome pack shipped to your address (includes your course booklet & joining instructions)
- Use of all test equipment on the day
- Course Certificate (upon sucessful completion of course)
- Refreshments & Lunch
- Ongoing Support
- Free Parking at all course locations
Available Dates
Next course date:
No upcoming dates.
Pre-course pack shipping
Your printed welcome pack & course booklet will arrive before the course to help you prepare and feel confident on the day. Please ensure your shipping address is correct at checkout.
Limited spaces — book early
Each date is limited to just 12 places to guarantee a high-quality, supportive learning environment. Secure your place today.
A convenient spot whether you're local or travelling in
Who is this location ideal for?
This venue works well for learners travelling from Preston, across Lancashire and from nearby areas of the North West. It is a straightforward option for people who want a practical PAT testing course without needing to travel into Manchester or Liverpool.
The Preston venue is a practical choice if you are travelling from places such as Blackburn, Chorley, Leyland, Blackpool, Southport, Lancaster or Wigan, with access from the M6, M55, M61 and surrounding routes.
Full address and directions for your training day.
Course Location Details
Address
Cotton Court Business Centre,
Church Street,
Preston,
PR1 3BY
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Wherever you’re coming from, getting here is straightforward.
Here's how to get to your Preston PAT testing course
By Car
Located in Preston city centre, with easy access from the A59 and local city centre routes.
Approx. 10-15 minutes’ drive from Junction 31 of the M6, depending on traffic.
On-site parking is available at the venue.
By Train
Preston Station is the nearest main railway station, around a 10–15 minute walk from the venue.
Taxis are also available from the station for the short journey to Cotton Court Business Centre.
Preston has direct rail services to Manchester, Liverpool, London Euston, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
By Plane
Manchester Airport (MAN) is around 45–60 minutes by car/taxi from the venue, depending on traffic.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is around 60–75 minutes by car/taxi from the venue, depending on traffic.
Both airports offer onward travel options by rail, coach or taxi to Preston.
Approximate Course Schedule
Here’s what your day will look like.
We know there’s a lot to take in, so we balance theory with hands-on practice and regular breaks to keep things focused and engaging.
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Onboarding & Induction 09:00
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Session 1 09:15
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Coffee Break 10:30
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Session 2 10:45
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Lunch 12:30
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Session 3 13:00
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Coffee Break 14:50
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Session 4 15:00
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Multiple Choice Exam 16:00
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Approximate Course End 16:30
We've got you covered — just tell us if you need anything special.
Lunch & Refreshments
Lunch is included with your Preston course. At this venue, lunch is ordered from a local butcher and deli counter, with fresh sandwiches and good quality produce prepared for the group.
Because the food is made to order, we can usually be flexible with dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and other requests when we know in advance. Please add any dietary requirements at checkout so we can arrange this before the course date.
Tea, coffee & water are also provided throughout the day.
Ideal for beginners, with real-world examples and hands-on training.
Learn From Experience — Not Just Slides
Who's it for?
This course is ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills — no previous PAT testing experience is required. If you’re unsure whether this course is right for you, feel free to contact us.
Trainer style
Our experienced trainer will guide you through the process with real-world examples and plenty of hands-on practice throughout the day.
Find alternative nearby training locations if you can’t attend on your chosen date
PAT Testing Courses Near Preston
Can’t make any of the dates in Preston? Why not join us at one of our other PAT Testing courses nearby. Each venue is easy to reach, with the same hands-on training and certification included. Perfect if you’re searching for a “PAT testing course near me.”
Everything you need to know before booking
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any previous electrical experience?
No. The course is suitable for complete beginners as well as electricians, maintenance staff, caretakers, landlords, facilities teams and health and safety professionals.
No previous electrical knowledge, qualifications or experience are required.
How long is the PAT Testing course?
The course runs for one full day. It includes classroom learning, demonstrations and practical testing exercises.
Is the course practical?
Yes. The course includes hands-on practice using PAT testing equipment and a range of electrical appliances.
You will learn how to carry out visual inspections, identify appliance classes, select the correct tests, interpret results and record your findings.
Do I need to bring my own PAT tester?
Testing equipment is provided for classroom-based courses.
You are welcome to bring your own PAT tester if you would like help understanding its controls and test settings.
For live online courses, delegates will need access to their own PAT testing equipment.
What will I learn?
The course covers:
- The legal responsibilities surrounding electrical equipment
- Appliance construction and classifications
- Visual inspection procedures
- Earth continuity testing
- Insulation resistance testing
- Testing Class I and Class II equipment
- Testing IEC leads and extension leads
- Understanding test results
- Labelling, record keeping and risk assessment of retest periods
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Successful delegates receive a PAT Testing course certificate after the required course administration and assessment checks have been completed.
Certificates are usually issued on the next working day after the course and are sent via email in pdf format.
Is the certificate recognised?
The certificate confirms that you have completed the course and demonstrated the knowledge and practical skills covered during the training.
There is no single government-issued PAT Testing licence. Employers and duty holders remain responsible for deciding whether a person has the appropriate knowledge, experience, training and equipment for the work they are being asked to carry out.
Does the certificate expire?
The certificate does not have a fixed expiry date.
However, employers may require refresher training periodically, particularly where testing is not carried out regularly, equipment changes, procedures are updated or the tester’s competence needs to be reassessed.
Upon release of each new Amendment to the Code of Practice, we will release refresher/update training courses.
Can I start offering PAT Testing services after the course?
The course provides the knowledge and practical foundation needed to carry out routine in-service inspection and testing.
Anyone offering PAT Testing commercially must also ensure they have suitable equipment, calibration arrangements, insurance, record-keeping systems and sufficient experience for the types of equipment and environments they accept.
Is PAT Testing a legal requirement?
The law does not specifically state that every appliance must receive a PAT test at a fixed interval.
Employers, landlords and other duty holders must maintain electrical equipment so that it does not present a danger. Inspection and testing are commonly used to help meet this responsibility.
How often should appliances be tested?
There is no universal annual testing rule.
Inspection and testing frequencies should be based on risk, considering factors such as:
- The type of equipment
- How often it is used
- The environment
- The users
- Previous inspection results
- The likelihood of damage
- Manufacturer guidance
The course explains how these factors affect inspection and retest intervals.
Does the course cover three-phase equipment?
The course concentrates primarily on commonly encountered single-phase portable and movable electrical equipment.
Three-phase equipment, fixed installations and specialist machinery may require additional training, equipment and electrical knowledge.
Does the course cover fixed electrical equipment?
Fixed electrical equipment is not included in the standard practical testing element of the course. Testing this equipment can require safe isolation procedures, which cannot be taught safely to beginners within a one-day course.
Delegates who are already electrically qualified and competent in safe isolation can be shown how PAT testing principles apply to fixed appliances.
For other delegates, we explain how fixed equipment should be identified, managed and referred to a suitably competent person so that it is not overlooked.
Will I be assessed?
Yes. Delegates are expected to participate in the practical exercises and complete the required course assessment.
The purpose is to confirm that you understand the inspection process, can select appropriate tests and can interpret the results safely.
What happens if I do not pass the assessment?
Your trainer will explain any areas requiring further work and the options available for reassessment or additional support.
If I need a retest do I have to pay for another course?
No. If you receive a marginal fail, we offer one complimentary retest.
The retest can be completed online using Zoom and a web browser-based assessment, so you will not need to attend another full course.
What type of PAT tester will I use?
The exact models may vary between courses, but the principles taught apply to most professional PAT testing machines.
The course focuses on understanding what each test does rather than simply memorising which button to press.
Can you train staff at our workplace?
Yes. On-site training can be arranged for employers, organisations and larger groups.
This can be particularly useful where staff need to practise using their own equipment or test appliances commonly found at their premises.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, along with tea, coffee and water.
Please highlight any dietary requirements during the booking process so that suitable arrangements can be made.
Is parking available?
What should I bring?
You should bring:
- A notebook and pen
- Suitable identification
- Your booking details
- Reading glasses if required
- Your own PAT tester, if you would like to use it during practical sessions
What should I wear?
Normal comfortable clothing is suitable.
Closed footwear is recommended because the course includes practical activities involving electrical appliances and test equipment.
Can I book more than one person?
Yes. Multiple delegates can be booked together, subject to availability.
Group and on-site training options may be more suitable for larger teams.
Can my employer pay by invoice?
Yes. Employers and organisations can request an invoice when booking.
A place is not normally confirmed until the invoice has been paid, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing.
Can I change the delegate attending?
Yes. Delegate name changes are normally permitted, provided sufficient notice is given before the course.
Can I transfer my booking to another date?
Bookings are generally made for a specific date and venue. Transfers are not automatically available and are subject to the booking terms.
What support is available after the course?
After completing the course, delegates receive access to TechEx, our dedicated technical support and discussion platform.
TechEx allows you to ask questions, discuss unusual appliances, share test results and get practical guidance as you begin carrying out PAT testing in the workplace.
When will I receive my course handbook?
Your course handbook will be provided when you arrive at the venue on the day of your course.
You do not need to wait for it to arrive by post or bring a printed copy with you.
Can I book close to the course date?
Yes, you can book up to midnight on the day before the course. Due to restrictions imposed by the locations, we may not be able to fulfil any special dietary requirements for lunch at such short notice though.
What happens if the course is full?
We keep our courses at a maximum of 12 delegates per course date to make sure that you get the help you need. If the course is sold-out you can email us and we’ll inform you of future dates in that city if there are none yet on the website.
How many people are in the group?
Each course has a maximum of 12 delegates, keeping the group small enough for questions, practical exercises and individual support from the trainer.