Test And Tag License Check

Every month our test and tag training division recieves at least one enquiry from someone wanting to do a test and tag license check.

Typically they email or call asking what their license number is so they can record it in the “license number” field on a generic tag.  More re

cently we have had a growing number of enquiries wanting to know how to check if their license, or that of somebody else, is still current.

Our answer is always along the same line “Sorry, there is no such thing as a test and tag license so we can’t help you.” That is often challenged or met with shocked surprise by the enquirer.

As I have covered in previous blog posts, there is no recognised system for registering or licensing test and tag technicians.

Here’s the link to those articles.

Test tag license 1   Test tag license 2

To summarise those posts;

1. Testing and tagging is a competency based skill set
2. To test and tag (in most States / Territories) you only need to be a competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760
3. Competency has no expiry – there is no requirement to do refresher courses or reassessment
   1. A competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760 has an obligation to keep up to date with changes in the standard(s), legislations etc.
4. You do not not need to hold any formal electrical license or registration
5. The best way to achieve competency is to do a test and tag course by a reputable training provider.

We have had people email us copies of documents to “prove” they were issued a license number however in every case the number was their “certificate number” issued by the training provider. It was not a license number.

Unfortunately we still get reports of some training organisations selling their test and tag course on the basis the student will be issued a license and often that license comes with the back-end requirement it must be “renewed” at regular intervals by sitting a refresher course.  This is simply a marketing strategy that misleads too many people and may even result in them paying a premium for an “extra” that is worthless.

So what do you do if you are asked for your test and tag license?

First of all you need to tell them there is no such thing. Then you should provide them with evidence that you meet the criteria of a competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760 by showing them your training certificate or how you were assessed as being competent.

If you have any questions about your “license” or training, email us your enquiry.

Regulations and requirements may vary in some jurisdictions.

Source: https://www.tatsa.com.au/test-and-tag-license-check/

This information is general in nature, should be used as a guide only and read in conjunction with the relevant Standard(s), State and/or Federal Legislation, Codes of Practice and Industry Standards specific to your workplace. A proper risk assessment should be under taken before acting on the information provided in this document or any related material. Further information can also be obtained from your local Workplace Authority, Electrical Safety Authority or a suitably qualified persons. This article is copyright protected.