How Much Does an IPAF Course Cost?

An IPAF course typically costs around £200 to £300 + VAT per delegate for standard operator training, although prices vary depending on the MEWP categories covered, the length of the course and the training provider.

At Kentec Training, a single-category IPAF 3A or 3B Operator course costs £210 + VAT, while combined 3A & 3B training costs £245 + VAT. More extensive courses can cost more than £400 + VAT, while shorter harness and management programmes start from around £120 + VAT.

Importantly, IPAF does not set the price that approved training centres charge for courses. Individual training providers determine their own prices, which is why the cost of apparently similar IPAF courses can vary.

What Is the Average Cost of IPAF Training?

For standard IPAF Operator training, around £200 to £300 + VAT per delegate is a reasonable amount to budget.

Single-category training, such as 3A for mobile vertical MEWPs (Scissorlifts) or 3B for mobile booms (Cherrypickers), will generally cost less than a combined course covering several categories.

At Kentec Training, our current prices range from £210 + VAT for a single 3A or 3B Operator course to £455 + VAT for combined 1B, 3A and 3B training.

The exact amount you should expect to pay therefore depends on the equipment you need to operate, the level of training required, and the number of qualifications you’re seeking to achieve.

How Much Do Kentec Training's IPAF Courses Cost?

As of October 2026, our IPAF course prices are:

1B covers static boom MEWPs, while 3A covers mobile vertical MEWPs such as scissor lifts and 3B covers mobile boom MEWPs such as cherry pickers.

All prices are shown excluding VAT and are subject to change. Please ensure you check against the individual course page for the latest pricing and availability.

Why Do IPAF Course Prices Vary?

IPAF-approved training centres set their own course prices, so there isn't a standard nationwide price for IPAF training.

Several factors can affect how much an IPAF course costs, including:

• The number of MEWP categories being covered.
• Whether the delegate is an experienced or novice operator.
• The length of the course.
• The amount of practical training required.
• Instructor experience and class sizes.
• The equipment and facilities provided by the training centre.
• Whether the course is delivered face-to-face or through an available eLearning option.

For example, somebody who only needs to operate a scissor lift may only require IPAF 3A training, whereas an operator using both scissor lifts and mobile booms may need 3A and 3B.

This is why the cheapest advertised course isn't necessarily a like-for-like comparison with another provider.

Is It Cheaper to Take IPAF 3A and 3B Together?

If you need both categories, completing IPAF 3A and 3B together can be considerably cheaper than taking them separately.

At Kentec Training, a single 3A or 3B course costs £210 + VAT. Completing the two separately would therefore cost £420 + VAT including two whole days of training, compared with £245 + VAT for our combined IPAF 3A & 3B course spanning just one day.

That's a saving of £175 + VAT per delegate.

However, you should only complete the categories relevant to the equipment you are expected to operate. Someone who only uses mobile vertical MEWPs, for example, may not need 3B training.

What Is Included in the Cost of an IPAF Course?

The exact inclusions depend on the training provider and programme, so it is worth checking what you are receiving before comparing prices.

Kentec Training's practical IPAF Operator courses include instructor-led theory and practical training, use of the relevant MEWPs, course materials and the required theory and practical assessments.

Successful delegates on qualifying programmes also receive their IPAF Powered Access Licence (PAL Card) electronically via IPAF's ePAL smartphone app – though if a physical card is required, it can be purchased for at an additional fee on the day.

The cost of operator training therefore covers considerably more than simply taking an assessment. Practical IPAF courses require specialist equipment, experienced instructors and suitable facilities in which delegates can safely develop and demonstrate their skills.

Has the Cost of IPAF Training Increased?

The cost of IPAF training has naturally increased over time in the UK alongside inflation and the rising costs associated with delivering practical training. However, operator training has remained relatively affordable considering what is involved.

Delivering a quality practical course requires dedicated MEWPs for training, equipment maintenance, experienced instructor time, suitable training facilities, theory and practical assessments and recognised certification.

At around £200 to £300 + VAT for typical operator training, IPAF courses therefore remain a relatively modest investment compared with many other professional qualifications and the costs associated with operating powered access equipment.

Why Does Kentec Training Cost More Than Some IPAF Providers?

You may find IPAF courses advertised elsewhere for less than Kentec Training. We don't aim to compete purely on being the cheapest provider. As such, our prices reflect the level of investment we make in the quality of the training experience, and our IPAF training is delivered by expert instructors with more than 20 years of industry and training experience, supported by dedicated training MEWPs and purpose-built facilities. 

Our Ashford Training Centre is also home to the UK's only indoor IPAF training centre with an 11-metre-high ceiling, allowing practical MEWP training to take place indoors throughout the year that is representative of the heights users will be reaching onsite.

(Photo of our training centre in Ashford)

This gives delegates a controlled and comfortable environment in which to develop their practical skills without training being dictated by rain, wind, cold temperatures or other changing outdoor conditions.

For employers comparing a relatively small difference in course price, we believe the quality of the instructor, equipment and training environment should be considered alongside the headline cost.

Is IPAF Training Worth the Cost?

For employers and operators who use MEWPs, the value of IPAF training goes beyond obtaining a PAL Card.

Quality training helps operators understand the equipment they are using, recognise hazards, carry out appropriate checks and develop the practical skills required to operate MEWPs safely.

An IPAF qualification doesn't remove an employer's wider responsibilities for competence, familiarisation, supervision, risk assessment and safe systems of work, but recognised training can form an important part of demonstrating that operators have received appropriate instruction and assessment.

James Carter, Senior IPAF Instructor at Kentec Training, explains:

“Comparing course prices is always the first thing that you consider, but focusing entirely on the upfront cost without considering the quality of the training is in my eyes a big mistake.

“The real value is having IPAF operators who understand the equipment they're using, recognise the risks around them and know how to work safely. That's ultimately what employers are investing in.”

Training Is a Service, Not a Commodity

When comparing IPAF training providers, it can be tempting to view the qualification as the same product wherever you buy it, making price the only meaningful difference.

Training shouldn’t work like that.

The qualification may be the same, but the experience of getting there can be very different. Instructor knowledge, equipment, facilities and the support delegates receive can all influence the quality and effectiveness of their training.

Our ambition at Kentec Training is therefore not simply to deliver the cheapest possible course. It is to provide training that has a lasting, practical impact when delegates return to the workplace.

Our measure of success isn't simply how many people we train. It's the difference that training makes to the people, businesses and workplaces we support. Because at Kentec Training, training is a service, not a commodity – and that distinction is worth investing in.

Book your IPAF Training with Kentec Today!

Kentec Training delivers IPAF courses from our purpose-built training centres in Tonbridge and Ashford in Kent, with courses available for both novice and experienced MEWP operators, managers and harness users.

View our upcoming IPAF courses in Kent, prices and availability or speak to our dedicated support team on 0333 666 0555 if you're unsure which IPAF course you need.