The BOHS P402 is the mandatory qualification for professionals conducting asbestos surveys (management and refurbishment/demolition surveys). Required under Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for anyone carrying out or overseeing Type 2 and Type 3 surveys.
| Issued by | BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | £900 |
| Who needs it | Asbestos surveyors, builders |
What you need to get it
4 requirements, and what counts as evidence for each.
P402 Training Course
Attend an accredited P402 course from an approved training provider. Typically 5 days.
Evidence: Course booking confirmation from an approved provider.
P402 Written & Practical Assessment
Pass the BOHS P402 written examination and practical assessment.
Evidence: P402 certificate from BOHS.
UKAS-Accredited Laboratory
Samples collected must be analysed by a UKAS-accredited asbestos analysis laboratory.
Evidence: Agreement with a UKAS-accredited lab.
Professional Indemnity
Professional indemnity insurance covering asbestos surveying.
Evidence: PI insurance certificate.
What you have to keep doing
Getting it is the easy part. Keeping it means:
Annual CPD
Maintain CPD in asbestos regulation, sampling, and risk assessment.
BOHS Revalidation
Revalidation required every 5 years to maintain certified status.
Is it worth it?
At £900, the question isn’t the fee — it’s whether it wins you work. For asbestos surveyors it usually does, because it’s the first thing a cautious customer or a commercial buyer checks. Most trades hold accreditations and then hide the logos in the footer. If you’ve paid for it, it belongs where customers actually look.
Apply via BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society)
Tracking it
Accreditations lapse quietly. The renewal date lands in a busy month, nobody spots it, and you find out when a customer asks for the certificate. Gaffer keeps your accreditations, evidence and renewal dates in one place and reminds you before they expire.