NPORS certification in Northampton: the card you get, and how to keep it
Ray Walters is an NPORS plant machinery assessor based in Northampton, and he tests anywhere in the UK, at your premises and on your own machines. This page explains what you get after you pass, what the card covers and how renewals and extra categories work.
- Traditional, CSCS red and CSCS blue cards
- First card, renewal, expired card or an added category
- Experienced worker tests and novice courses
One assessor
You speak to Ray Walters from the first call.
Northampton base
Based on the M1 and covers the UK.
Over 20 years on plant
Ray operated plant in construction, groundworks, waste and recycling, scrap metal and general industry.
What NPORS certification is
NPORS are a plant operator registration scheme. NPORS say they were founded in 1992 and hold ISOQAR accreditation, and that they are one of 37 CSCS alliance card schemes and one of only two specific to plant.
Their training and testing follows course objectives drawn from the National Occupational Standards. In practice, NPORS certification means an operator passed an assessment in specific plant categories, and those categories are recorded on an NPORS operator card. On the traditional route, the operator can receive a card, a certificate or both.
NPORS and CPCS are different schemes and are not interchangeable. Anyone can check an NPORS card on the NPORS card checker, and NPORS say the categories can also be checked from the card’s QR code or with NPORS directly. Every assessment is carried out by Ray Walters himself.
The three NPORS operator cards
Which card applies depends on whether you need a CSCS logo card for construction work, and whether you already hold the NVQ or SVQ for that machine. The card rules below are from NPORS. Both CSCS cards need the NPORS or CITB health, safety and environment touch screen test, passed in the two years before applying (NPORS). The card shows the categories held, and anyone can check it on the NPORS card checker (NPORS).
NPORS traditional operator card
This card carries no CSCS logo and suits sectors outside construction such as warehousing, ports, agriculture, utilities and offshore wind. It lasts three or five years, as agreed with the training provider, and the operator can receive a card, a certificate or both.
CSCS red trained operator card
This card is for construction operators who do not yet hold the NVQ or SVQ for their machine. NPORS say it lasts two years from application, and that the operator is expected to register for and achieve the qualification in that time.
CSCS blue competent operator card
For operators who hold the NVQ or SVQ for their machine. NPORS say it lasts five years and comes with a CPD record and a logbook for workplace hours.
First card, renewal or an extra category
To sort out the right route, start with what is on the current card and what you need it to cover next. If you are arranging cards for a team, say how many operators you have and which categories they need.
Tell Ray what you need
Ring 07984 357997 and say whether this is a first card, a renewal, an expired card or an extra category, and which NPORS codes you need. Tell Ray where the machines are and whether the card is for you or for operators you employ. If it is easier, use the enquiry form on the contact page.
Book the on-site assessment
Ray carries out NPORS assessments at your premises, on your machines, anywhere in the UK. The NPORS testing page explains how the on-site assessment works.
After you pass
NPORS issue the operator card for the categories passed. On the traditional route, a certificate can be issued as well as or instead of the card, and the card can be checked on the NPORS card checker.
Renewals, expiry and extra categories
The right route depends on what is held now. NPORS allow a red card to be extended once for 12 months if the operator is registered with an NVQ awarding body, and NPORS charge a fee for that. After that there is no second red card. The operator passes the NVQ, retests and applies for the blue card. NPORS do not award NVQs and point people to CITB. Each extra category is a separate assessment, and every category held shows on the card. Ring Ray, read out what is on the card and say which codes you need.
Excavator, telehandler, dumper and loading shovel tests
Four of the categories Ray assesses, each tested on site on your own machine.
N204 forward tipping dumper test
N204 category details and assessment outline.
Every category Ray assesses
Select a category to see what the assessment covers. NPORS say N132 Plant Mover covers non-operational duties and is not an operator’s ticket.
What Ray's clients say
“I couldn’t have had a better instructor than Ray.”
Candidate
Novice forward tipping dumper course
“Ray explained health and safety and pre-start checks in a professional way. He was very knowledgeable.”
Candidate
Novice loading shovel course
“Ray was very friendly and helped me calm down. He was amazing.”
Candidate
Novice loading shovel course
Ring Ray about your card
Ring about a first card, a renewal, an expired card or an extra category. For costs, ring Ray and say what you need.