PAT Testing Course Cost – What Should You Expect to Pay?

If you’ve been searching online for the cost of a PAT testing course, you’ve probably noticed prices ranging from less than £20 for online courses to over £1,000 for advanced electrical qualifications. The big question is: what do you actually need, and what represents good value for money?

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• Typical PAT testing course prices in the UK
• Why some courses are far more expensive than others
• The difference between online and practical training
• Whether a City & Guilds qualification is necessary
• What to look for before booking a course

At PAT Testing Expert, we’ve been delivering practical PAT testing training for many years and have trained thousands of delegates across the UK.

How Much Does a PAT Testing Course Cost?

The cost of a PAT testing course in the UK typically falls into one of three categories:

Our normal price is around £225 + VAT for the one-day course, with a slight increase for London venues due to the venues being more expensive.

Very cheap online courses can be useful for basic awareness training, but they are often not enough on their own if you actually want to carry out PAT testing competently in the workplace.

Why Are Some PAT Testing Courses So Cheap?

You’ll sometimes see “PAT testing courses” advertised online for under £20. These are normally short e-learning courses designed for awareness training only.

While online training can help explain the theory, PAT testing is a practical skill. In real life, you need to:

• Carry out visual inspections correctly
• Understand different appliance classes
• Recognise dangerous faults
• Use a PAT tester safely
• Interpret readings properly
• Decide when equipment should fail

That practical experience is difficult to gain from watching videos alone. Most of these e-learning courses look like they've been put together with AI, and often contain incorrect or out-of-date information.

Is an Expensive Course Better?

Not necessarily.

Some larger national providers charge high prices because they include formal qualifications, multiple training days, or extensive classroom theory. In many cases, however, most people simply want to learn how to carry out PAT testing safely and confidently in the real world.

For many businesses, schools, landlords, caretakers, maintenance staff and people starting a PAT testing business, a good practical one-day course is more than sufficient.

The key is not just the price. It’s:

• Who teaches the course
• How much practical work is included
• Whether you get hands-on experience
• Group size
• Ongoing support after the course
• Real industry experience from the trainer

What Should Be Included in a Good PAT Testing Course?

A quality PAT testing course should include:

Practical Hands-On Testing

You should actually use PAT testing equipment throughout the day, not just watch demonstrations.

Visual Inspection Training

Most dangerous faults are found visually rather than electrically. A good course should heavily focus on inspection skills.

Understanding of Current Guidance

The course should explain the latest UK guidance and practical industry standards.

Real-World Fault Finding

Training should cover damaged cables, counterfeit equipment, extension leads, IEC leads, adapters and common workplace problems.

Support After the Course

Many delegates need advice after training when they begin testing equipment themselves.

At PAT Testing Expert, our courses are heavily practical and designed for real-world competency rather than simply passing an exam. We provide ongoing support, through an email newsletter and you're also welcome to phone us if you're stuck. Speak to one of our full time engineers and get real world, practical help.

Do You Need a City & Guilds Qualification?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry.

In the UK, there is no legal requirement to hold a City & Guilds qualification to carry out PAT testing.

The Electricity at Work Regulations simply require that the person carrying out testing is competent.

For many people, a practical hands-on PAT testing course is entirely appropriate and more useful day-to-day than a heavily theory-based qualification.

That said, some larger organisations may prefer formal qualifications for internal policy reasons, so it depends on your situation.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

When comparing PAT testing course costs, check whether the price includes:

• VAT
• Printed course materials
• Lunch and refreshments
• Certification
• Ongoing support
• Access to equipment during training

Some low-cost providers add extra charges later or offer very limited practical experience. The IET Code of Practice for example can cost more than £70 - most of the courses we see advertised tell you to buy it (or they'll sell you a copy at a mark-up) but we'll give you a handbook for free which includes all the information that you need.

Is a PAT Testing Course Worth the Money?

For many businesses, absolutely.

A PAT testing course can quickly pay for itself if you:

• Bring PAT testing in-house
• Avoid outsourcing costs
• Improve workplace safety
• Add PAT testing as a service to your business
• Start a small side business

Many delegates attending our courses are surprised at how quickly they recover the course cost once they begin carrying out testing themselves.

Choosing the Right PAT Testing Course

Before booking, ask:

• Is the course practical or mainly theory?
• Will I use real PAT testers?
• How much hands-on training is included?
• Who delivers the training?
• Is the trainer experienced in real-world PAT testing?
• What support is available afterwards?

The cheapest course is not always the best value, and the most expensive course is not always the best training.

PAT Testing Courses with PAT Testing Expert

At PAT Testing Expert, we provide practical PAT testing courses across the UK designed for beginners, businesses and people looking to start PAT testing professionally.

Our courses focus on:

• Real practical skills
• Small friendly groups
• Hands-on testing throughout the day
• Current industry guidance
• Confidence building
• Ongoing support after training

Our courses are fully inclusive - we provide all the materials that you need (printed handbook and practical guides) you DO NOT need to spend money on expensive standards, Code's of Practice, unless you really want to.

Courses are available in locations across the UK including London, Manchester, Coventry, Nottingham and many more.

You can view upcoming course dates and locations here

Interested in Making Money from PAT Testing? Here's an article I wrote in 2025 that explains more about the industry and the current state of it Can You Still Make Money Doing PAT Testing?