An Asbestos Awareness Course is the structured way to gain - and prove - the knowledge to work safely around asbestos. But what exactly does the course contain, and what does the certificate at the end actually mean? This guide explains.
If you are about to book training, this is the quick orientation you need.
Key takeaways
- With a short multiple-choice assessment after the modules, confirming you understood the essentials.
- It proves awareness.
- About 45 minutes online.
- No - a refresher is a shorter top-up for those who already hold awareness training.
Asbestos Awareness Course: the key facts
| Detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Format | 100% online Asbestos Awareness Training - phone, tablet or laptop |
| Time to complete | Around 45 minutes, start and stop whenever you like |
| Price | EUR 35 per person, with bulk pricing for teams |
| Certificate | Download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate instantly on passing |
| Accreditation | CPD certified and RoSPA approved, aligned with CAR 2006 (SI 386/2006) |
| Valid for | Refresher recommended every 12 months by the HSA |
Course structure
A typical course is built from short modules: what asbestos is, where it hides, the health risks, the law, and how to respond. Each module uses clear visuals and real building examples.
How it is assessed
At the end you complete a short assessment - usually multiple choice - to confirm you understood the key points. Passing demonstrates competence, not just attendance.
Ready to get certified? Complete the View the Asbestos Awareness Course online in about 45 minutes for EUR 35 and download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate the moment you pass.
What the certificate means
The Asbestos Awareness Certificate proves you have the awareness knowledge employers and contractors expect. It does not authorise working on ACMs - see awareness vs removal.
Course vs training
People use course and training interchangeably. Read what is asbestos awareness training for the companion explainer.
What the course will not do
It is just as important to understand the limits of the course as its contents. An Asbestos Awareness Course will not qualify you to remove, disturb, sample or survey asbestos - those are separate, specialist activities with their own training and, in many cases, licensing. The course also does not replace the task-specific risk assessment, supervision and instruction an employer must still provide for a particular job. What it does, and does very well, is build the recognition and safe-response knowledge that stops accidental exposure before it happens. Knowing both what the course covers and where it stops is part of being a genuinely safe, professional worker.
What this course does and does not cover
This online course builds awareness and understanding. It helps you recognise asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), understand the health risks, and follow the correct STOP - CHECK - REPORT response if you suspect asbestos during your work.
It does not authorise you to remove, survey, test, sample or deliberately disturb asbestos. Licensed asbestos removal, asbestos surveying and air testing each require separate, specialist qualifications. Employers may still need to provide task-specific training, supervision and a written risk assessment before any work near ACMs begins.
Frequently asked questions
How is the course assessed?
With a short multiple-choice assessment after the modules, confirming you understood the essentials.
What does the certificate allow me to do?
It proves awareness. It does not authorise removal, surveying or sampling of asbestos.
How long is the course?
About 45 minutes online.
Is it the same as a refresher?
No - a refresher is a shorter top-up for those who already hold awareness training.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- What Is Asbestos Awareness Training? A Plain-English Guide
- Asbestos Awareness Course Ireland: What You Need to Know
- Difference Between Asbestos Awareness and Asbestos Removal
- Asbestos Awareness Certificate Online Ireland: How to Get Yours
Start your Asbestos Awareness Training today
Join thousands of workers across Ireland who train with Irish Asbestos Awareness. Get your Asbestos Awareness Certificate online from any device, or train your whole team with bulk certificates and central reporting.
