Gas Training Courses

Becoming a qualified gas engineer starts with the right training. We offer a range of beginner-friendly gas courses designed to help you start your career safely and confidently. Popular options include:

• IMPHS – Installation & Maintenance of Plumbing & Heating Systems Course
• DNGA3 – Managed Learning Programme for Domestic Natural Gas Appliances

Our comprehensive guide walks you through the steps to become a certified gas engineer, from beginner training to professional accreditation. Explore our beginner gas courses and start your gas engineering career today.

The ACS (Accredited Certification Scheme) is the essential certification process for anyone aiming to work as a gas engineer in the UK. This assessment evaluates both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, ensuring engineers can safely work with gas appliances and installations.

To become qualified, engineers must complete an initial ACS assessment, followed by reassessments every five years to stay current with industry standards and regulations. Maintaining ACS certification is crucial for Gas Safe registration and legally working in the gas industry.

The ACS is the nationally recognised route to gain a certificate of competence across all areas of gas work, including:

• Domestic natural gas (NG) and LPG
• Commercial heating
• Commercial catering and laundry systems
• Gas meter installation
• Emergency service provision

The scheme is overseen by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). LCL Awards, a UKAS-accredited certification body (No. 0230), offers accredited ACS assessments to help engineers achieve and maintain their qualifications.

Completing your ACS gas assessments is a major step toward becoming a fully qualified gas engineer, but registering with the Gas Safe Register is the legal requirement for working with gas in the UK under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Without Gas Safe registration, you cannot legally install, service, or repair gas systems, and doing so could result in fines or legal action. Registration not only keeps you compliant but also demonstrates your competence to customers through the Gas Safe card.

Before undertaking any appliance-specific assessment, all areas of gas work require completion of a gas safety assessment.

Core ACS Gas Courses

• CCN1 – Core Domestic Natural Gas Safety & Appliances Course
• CCCN1 – Core Commercial Catering Natural Gas Safety & Appliances Course

Example: Domestic Natural Gas

• CCN1 – Core Domestic Gas Safety (mandatory), now including CPA1 (Combustion Performance Analysis)

Once the core assessment is completed, you can take appliance-specific assessments relevant to your role:

• CENWAT – Central Heating Boilers & Water Heaters
• CKR1 – Cookers
• HTR1 – Gas Fires
• MET1 – Meters
• DAH1 – Ducted Air Heaters

For engineers moving from one ACS core to another, changeover assessments cover areas not included in the original core. Additional gas training may be required before taking the assessment, contact us for advice.

Changeover ACS Gas Courses

• CODNCO1 – Changeover Domestic to Commercial Natural Gas Appliances Course
• CONGLP1 – Changeover Natural Gas to LPG Appliances (Inc. Permanent Dwellings) Course
• COCATA1 – Changeover Domestic to Commercial Catering Natural Gas Appliances Course

Example: Changeover to Commercial Natural Gas

• CODNCO1 – Changeover from Domestic NG to Commercial NG
• ICPN1 – Installation of Commercial Pipework
• TPCP1A – Testing & Purging of Low-Pressure Commercial Pipework (≤1m³, 21 mbar operating pressure – NG)
• CIGA1 – Installation of Commercial Indirect Fired Appliances

Completing the right gas course and ACS assessments ensures you can safely and legally work in the gas industry while maintaining your Gas Safe registration.

To join the Gas Safe Register, you must first complete your ACS certificate(s) in the areas of gas work you plan to undertake. Once you receive your certificate of competence, you are ready to apply for Gas Safe registration. LCL Awards will automatically submit your details to the Gas Safe Register when issuing your ACS certificate.

Newly qualified engineers or those returning after a lapse in registration will undergo a probationary period. During this time, you must maintain detailed records of all gas work completed, which Gas Safe Register may inspect. Certain tasks, such as appliance installations, must be reported to Gas Safe Register according to the rules of registration.

Registration with the Gas Safe Register is a legal requirement for anyone performing gas work in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, or Guernsey. Completing the right gas training and ACS assessments ensures you can work safely, legally, and professionally as a qualified gas engineer.

The initial ACS assessment is for new entrants or gas engineers whose qualifications have lapsed. It is longer in duration and includes more written questions, covering all core and appliance elements required to gain ACS certification for the first time.

ACS reassessment, however, is only available to operatives who currently hold a valid ACS qualification. Reassessments are shorter and focus on key areas previously completed, along with any updates to legislation introduced over the last five years. For efficiency, it is recommended that both the core gas safety and appliance assessments be completed together during reassessment, saving time and cost.

If your ACS qualification has expired, you must undertake the full initial assessment. If your certification is still in date, the reassessment provides a quicker route to renew your qualifications and maintain compliance with Gas Safe registration requirements.

Planning your ACS reassessment carefully is crucial to avoid any gaps in your professional qualifications as a gas engineer. You can take your reassessment up to six months before your current ACS certification expires, giving you enough time to complete the process without interrupting your ability to work legally.

Avoiding Lapses

Missing your reassessment deadline can have serious consequences. If your ACS certification lapses for more than 12 months, you will no longer be eligible for reassessment and must retake the full initial ACS assessment. This is more time-consuming and costly, as it requires completing all core and appliance elements from scratch. During the lapse, you are not legally permitted to carry out any gas work, which can result in lost income and professional disruption.

Maintaining Gas Safe Registration

Passing your ACS reassessment is also essential for maintaining your Gas Safe Register membership. Gas engineers must be registered to work legally with gas appliances and systems. Once reassessment is completed successfully, your Gas Safe registration is automatically renewed, allowing uninterrupted professional practice. Staying up to date ensures compliance with HSE regulations and demonstrates ongoing competence and commitment to safety in the gas industry.