Locations

• Aberdeen
• Birmingham
• Birmingham (HVO)
• Blackburn
• Bristol (HVO)
• Cardiff
• Didcot (HVO)
• Dundee
• Durham (HVO)
• Edinburgh (HVO)
• Glasgow (HVO)
• Leeds
• Leicester
• London West (HVO)
• Manchester
• Manchester (HVO)
• Norwich
• Nottingham
• Scunthorpe
• Southampton (HVO)
• Swansea
• Taunton

IPAF 3A3B Key Info

• Duration: 1 day (minimum 7.5 hours of instruction, starting at 8:00 AM)

• Certification: Certification: IPAF 3A and 3B operator certification. Valid for 5 years, internationally recognised
• Delivery: In-person at any of our UK wide training centres, or on your site
• Max delegates: 4 per instructor for hands-on, quality training
• Accreditation: Fully accredited by IPAF (International Powered Access Federation)

IPAF 3A3B Course Programme

The course runs for one full day and is split between classroom-based theory and practical machine operation. All courses start at 8:00 AM prompt — please ensure delegates arrive in good time, as latecomers may not be admitted.

Registration and Induction

On arrival, you will be welcomed by your IPAF-certified instructor and given an overview of the day ahead. A short pre-course knowledge check helps the instructor gauge the group’s experience level and tailor the session accordingly.

Classroom Theory Training

The morning session covers the essential theory you need to operate MEWPs safely. Topics include:

• Health and Safety at Work Act and Working at Height Regulations
• Accident prevention and the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• MEWP machine categories and their structural components
• Pre-use inspection and handover requirements
• Safe operating methods, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures
• The IPAF Operator Safety Guide (provided as a take-home reference)

Practical Training

The afternoon is dedicated to hands-on machine operation under the supervision of your instructor. You will:

• Perform pre-use machine inspections and safety checks
• Learn to correctly wear and adjust a safety harness
• Practise manual and auxiliary descent procedures
• Operate scissor lifts (3A) and boom lifts (3B) safely, including driving, positioning, and manoeuvring
• Navigate typical workplace hazards while operating at height

IPAF 3A3B Course Assessment

Assessment takes place in two parts on the same day:

Theory Assessment

At the end of the classroom session, you will complete an open-book, multiple-choice theory exam. The assessment is based on the content covered during the morning tutorials. You must pass the theory assessment before progressing to the practical training and assessment.

Practical Assessment

At the end of the practical session, you will be assessed against IPAF’s practical test standards. You must demonstrate that you can safely and competently prepare, inspect, and operate MEWPs in the 3A and 3B categories. The assessment is carried out by your IPAF-certified instructor.

What if I don’t pass? If you do not pass the theory, you will not progress to the practical and can return another day to re-complete. If you pass the theory but fail one or both elements of the practical, you can return for a half day practical re-sit on another day.

Certification and What You Receive

On successful completion of the course, you will receive:

• IPAF 3A and 3B operator certification, valid for 5 years
• Certification added to your digital PAL Card, accessible via the IPAF ePAL app on iOS and Android
• Digital logbook for recording your operating hours and experience
• IPAF Operator Safety Guide and safety resources within the ePAL app

Your certification is valid for 5 years from the date of training. All IPAF qualifications are now issued digitally via the ePAL app as standard. If you require a physical PAL Card and printed certificate, these can be arranged for £20 + VAT — please contact the training team before your course start date.

What to Bring

All delegates must bring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to the course:

• Hard hat (chin strap preferred)
• Safety harness with short restraint adjustable lanyard
• Hi-vis vest
• Safety footwear (steel or composite toe cap boots)
• Eye protection

Don’t have a harness? Harness kits and lanyards are available to purchase on the day. Contact the training team to order in advance.

IPAF 3A3B FAQs

What is IPAF 3A3B?

IPAF 3A 3B refers to the two machine categories covered by this operator training course. 3A covers Mobile Vertical platforms such as scissor lifts, and 3B covers Mobile Boom platforms such as cherry pickers and articulated boom lifts. The combined course trains you to safely operate both types of MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) in a single day.

What does IPAF 3A and 3B cover?

The course covers everything you need to operate scissor lifts and boom lifts safely and in line with UK health and safety legislation. This includes classroom theory on the Health and Safety at Work Act, Working at Height Regulations, accident prevention, and hazard awareness. The practical element covers pre-use machine inspections, safe operation and manoeuvring of MEWPs, harness fitting, and emergency descent procedures. You will complete both a theory assessment and a practical assessment on the day.

Does IPAF 3A and 3B cover 1B?

No. The IPAF 3A and 3B course covers mobile vertical platforms (scissor lifts) and mobile boom platforms (cherry pickers) only. It does not include 1B, which covers static boom lifts such as van-mounted or trailer-mounted platforms. If you need all three categories, we offer the IPAF 3A, 3B and 1B Combined Operator Training Course, which covers all three in a 2-day programme.

What is the difference between IPAF 3A and 3B?

IPAF 3A covers Mobile Vertical machines, such as scissor lifts, which move the operator straight up and down. IPAF 3B covers Mobile Boom machines, such as cherry pickers and articulated boom lifts, which can extend both upward and outward for greater reach. This combined course trains you on both categories.

How much does IPAF 3A3B cost?

The IPAF 3A and 3B Operator Training Course starts from £245.00 per person when booked online, a saving of £5 on the standard list price of £250.00. Prices may vary by training centre location. The course fee includes all training, assessment, and your digital certification via the IPAF ePAL app, added to your PAL Card. If you require a physical PAL Card and printed certificate, there is an additional charge of £20 + VAT.

How long does IPAF 3A and 3B last?

The course is completed in one full day, with a minimum of 7.5 hours of instruction. Your IPAF PAL Card is then valid for 5 years from the date of training.

Do I need IPAF to use a scissor lift?

There is no specific law that says you must hold an IPAF qualification to use a scissor lift. However, under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers have a legal duty to ensure that anyone operating a MEWP is properly trained and competent. The IPAF PAL Card is the most widely recognised proof of this training across the UK construction and maintenance industries, and most sites and employers will require it before you can operate a scissor lift.

What safety helmet is required for IPAF 3A3B?

You must bring a safety helmet to the course. A helmet with a chin strap is preferred, as it is more secure when working at height and operating MEWPs. Standard hard hats without a chin strap are generally accepted, but a chin strap helmet is recommended best practice and is increasingly required on UK construction sites. Your helmet should meet EN 397 or equivalent standards.

Have more questions? Call our expert team on 01455 552800 or send us an email.

Related courses

Looking to expand your qualifications or add to your team’s skills? These courses complement the IPAF 3A 3B training:

• IPAF 3A, 3B and 1B Combined Operator Training Course – Add static boom lift (1B) certification to your 3A and 3B qualifications. Covers scissor lifts, cherry pickers, and van-mounted or trailer-mounted platforms in one 2-day course. Ideal if your work involves a wider range of powered access equipment. From £345.00 per person.
• IPAF Harness Awareness and Harness User Course – Essential for anyone who needs to wear a safety harness while operating boom lifts. Combines online Harness Awareness training with a practical Harness User assessment at one of our centres. From £170.00 per person.
• IPAF Operator 3a3b and Harness User Bolt On Course – Complete the IPAF 3a3b course, combined with online Harness Awareness training to enable you to complete the Harness User and 3a3b together in the same day! From £365.00 per person.
• PASMA Towers for Users Course – Learn to safely assemble, dismantle, move, and inspect mobile access towers (scaffold towers). PASMA certification is valid for 5 years and widely required across construction and maintenance. From £215.00 per person.

Course Objectives

The IPAF 3A and 3B Operator Training Course teaches you how to safely operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), including scissor lifts (3A) and cherry pickers and boom lifts (3B). The course combines classroom theory with hands-on practical training, giving you the skills and knowledge to work at height safely and in line with current UK health and safety legislation.

On successful completion, you will receive your IPAF 3A and 3B operator certification, which is added to your IPAF PAL Card - the digital wallet that holds all your IPAF qualifications. Your certification is valid for 5 years and is recognised on construction sites and workplaces worldwide.

This course covers two IPAF machine categories:

• IPAF 3A – Mobile Vertical: Scissor lifts and mobile vertical personnel platforms. These machines elevate the operator straight up and down.
• IPAF 3B – Mobile Boom: Self-propelled boom lifts, articulated booms (cherry pickers), and telescopic boom lifts. These machines can reach upward and outward for greater range.

Nationwide Platforms is Europe’s largest provider of IPAF training. Our courses are delivered by award-winning instructors across a network of over 30 accredited training centres throughout the UK. We train more than 22,000 delegates every year.

Who Should Attend

This course is suitable for anyone who operates or will operate scissor lifts or boom lifts in the workplace. It is ideal for:

• Construction site operatives who need to use MEWPs as part of their daily work
• Industrial and maintenance contractors working at height
• Electricians, painters, decorators, cleaners, and other trades who use powered access equipment
• Facilities and property management teams responsible for building maintenance
• First-time operators who have never used MEWPs and need their initial PAL Card
• Experienced operators whose IPAF PAL Card has expired and needs renewing

No formal qualifications or prior experience are required. Delegates must be at least 16 years old, physically fit, and able to read and understand safety notices and manuals.