If you’ve started looking into becoming a domestic gas engineer, the term ‘Gas Safe course’ will come up a lot.  This guide will explain what we mean by the term ‘Gas Safe course’ along with the actual qualification pathways to become a Gas Safe Registered Engineer in the UK. Whether you’re considering gas as your new career or are already working in plumbing or a related trade, it will give you a clear idea of the steps that take you from initial domestic gas training to maintaining Gas Safe Registration.

The Gas Safe Register

In the UK, Gas Safe Registration is a legal requirement for businesses and engineers who do gas work. Due to the nature of the work, the Gas Safe Register plays a crucial role in the industry, registering engineers and businesses, protecting the public and raising awareness of the potential dangers of unsafe gas work.

So, to be a gas engineer in the UK, you need to become Gas Safe registered. To become Gas Safe Registered, you need to have done suitable Gas Safe training.

What are Gas Safe courses?

What do we mean by ‘Gas Safe course’ or Gas Safe training and what does becoming a Gas Safe registered engineer really mean?

‘Gas Safe course’ is a term used to describe gas training that helps an individual work towards Gas Safe Registration.

If we look on the Gas Safe website, they say:

“The Gas Safe Register is all about ensuring the safety of the public, so before you can register you’ll need relevant qualifications and evidence of your competence in working with gas. Evidence of gas safety competence is awarded through the process of proving to a recognised awarding body that you have the appropriate level of knowledge, understanding and practical skills to undertake gas work safely.”

In reality, a Gas Safe course is actually more like a qualification pathway, made up of several stages of training and assessment, which we’ll go into in more detail below.

The aim of a Gas Safe course is to equip the candidate with the skills and knowledge to work competently and safely in the industry. An example of a Gas Safe course in the UK is an MLP (in an apprenticeship setting, a comparable qualification could be the NVQ Level 3 in gas installation). The competence gained through the initial training is then demonstrated in the gas portfolio and then the core domestic gas qualifications (ACS) CCN1 and CENWAT.

Three stages of Gas Safe training

1.     Gas Managed Learning Programme (MLP)

This is the initial training stage where you learn the skills and knowledge through practical work and theory to work safely as a heating engineer. You’ll be assessed in practical assessments and written exams. On successful completion, you’re provided with an LCL Awards Candidate Workbook (Portfolio), ready for the next stage.

2.     Work Placement (Portfolio)

In this stage of the MLP, you’ll take your skills and knowledge into the workplace, working alongside and supervised by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, who is your on-site recorder and verifier. The purpose of this is to build a portfolio of evidence to prove your competence working safely with gas.

3.     ACS (Approved Certification Scheme)

This is where you do assessments in Core Domestic Gas Safety (CCN1) and Central Heating Boilers/Water Heaters (CENWAT). You need to hold an ACS to be eligible to apply for Gas Safe Registration. The ACS assesses your knowledge and practical competence against the required gas safety standards.

How long does Gas Safe training take?

If you’re a new entrant to the industry (so you don’t have any prior experience), at Able Skills, our in-centre initial training part of the MLP lasts eight weeks but can take longer if you choose to study part-time at weekends. You then have up to two years to complete the portfolio.

Many of our students become Gas Safe registered within 12–18 months of starting the MLP

If you’re already working as a plumber, so have some transferable experience, skills and knowledge, the route may be quicker. At Able Skills, our Gas Training Course for Plumbers varies in duration, but essentially, it takes into account the transferable skills and experience and could reduce the time of the MLP. At Able Skills, this route is available to candidates with at least two years’ experience in the plumbing and/or gas industry or hold a recognised qualification in the mechanical services engineering sector. This Gas Safe course for plumbers is subject to assessment to determine the length of training.

In reality, many of our students become Gas Safe registered within 12–18 months of starting their MLP, whether they’re new entrants or upskilling from plumbing.

Able Skills’ student Fahad went from working as a plumber to doing his ACS in under a year. Follow his journey to Gas Safe Registration from initial training, to portfolio, ACS and on to more advanced specialist training.

How much does Gas Safe training cost?

There are a few factors that can affect the overall cost of training to become a gas engineer. What experience you already have determines whether you’re a new entrant or an experienced plumber, whether you can source your own portfolio placement or whether that’s something you need to include with your training, and what ACS modules you might want to do in addition to the core domestic gas.

Compare the current prices for all Able Skills Gas Engineer Courses.

Where can gas take you?

Once you hold the relevant ACS assessments, such as CCN1 and CENWAT, and have Gas Safe Registration, you can work within the scope of your qualifications on domestic gas appliances and systems.

To upskill further, consider adding other ACS modules, so you can work on cookers and gas fires, or learning boiler fault finding.

FAQs about Gas Safe courses

What is a Gas Safe course?

Gas Safe course describes a gas training pathway resulting in a qualification that meets the requirements for Gas Safe Registration.

What are the gas engineer qualifications in the UK?

A recognised list of training and qualifications is available on the IGEM website. IGEM is the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers. Qualifications are either NVQ Level 3, diploma or MLP, plus portfolio and ACS, before Gas Safe Registration.

Is it easy to upskill from plumbing to gas?

If you’re already working as a plumber, upskilling to gas is a common progression route and there are training options that help make that route quicker.

What is the ACS gas assessment and ACS gas reassessment?

ACS is a required assessment and certificate prior to Gas Safe Registration. ACS Certificates are normally valid for 5 years. The ACS reassessment is an ongoing requirement to maintain eligibility for Gas Safe Registration, and can be done up to 6 months in advance of the existing certificate expiring without losing any time.

How to become a gas engineer

Gas engineer training with Able Skills

“Can not ask for more from a training center. Every tutor is fantastic, helpful, go above and beyond. The learning is made easier because of the tutors, even having a laugh along the way. I was nervous before beginning the course but now half way through have no worries, due to how Able Skills is run and how great the tutors are. So so pleased I picked Able Skills for the Plumbing and Gas courses.” – review via Trustpilot

At Able Skills, we have a range of Gas Safe training options in domestic and commercial gas for all candidates from new entrants and to experienced engineers. We also have guaranteed portfolio placements available with a training partner to take the hassle out of trying to find a placement with a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

If you’d like any information about becoming a gas engineer, contact us today by phone or email, or visit the training centre to have a look around and ask any questions.