NRSWA street works tickets

What it is

A photo card listing the street works qualifications someone holds, each with its own expiry date. You get the certificates by passing assessments at an approved centre, which then registers you on the Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR).

There are operative certificates (O1 to O8) and supervisor certificates (S1 to S7), plus LA for locating and avoiding underground apparatus.

Who needs it

Section 67 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 says that while a utility or its contractor is digging in the street, at least one qualified operative must be on site at all times, and the work must be supervised by someone with a supervisor qualification. Getting this wrong is a criminal offence.

The key certificates are LA and O1 for operatives, and LA and S1 for supervisors. If a key certificate lapses, everything that depends on it goes with it:

• O1 lapsing makes every other O certificate invalid.
• S1 lapsing makes every other S certificate invalid.
• LA lapsing makes everything on the card invalid.
• A supervisor certificate doesn't qualify you as an operative: someone who does both needs both.

How long it lasts

Each certificate lasts five years from the date it was issued. In England that's set by law (the Street Works (Qualifications of Operatives and Supervisors) (England) Regulations 2016); Scotland has its own regulations to the same effect. Cards for England and Scotland show an expiry date for each certificate rather than one for the card.

Cards for Wales and Northern Ireland carry one expiry date on the front, and renew differently (see below).

Renewing

In England and Scotland you renew by reassessment at an approved centre. It's a theory assessment; training beforehand is optional. When you do it matters:

• In the last 12 months before expiry: the new five years start the day after the old expiry, so you lose nothing.
• Between 12 and 48 months before expiry: the new certificate lasts six years from the renewal date.
• After it has expired: the certificate isn't valid, but you can still renew by reassessment for up to five years. After that you sit the full assessments again.
• SWQR suggests reassessing about six months before expiry, and offers email reminders at 90, 60 and 30 days.
• Wales and Northern Ireland: you re-register with SWQR for a fee, without reassessment, up to three months after expiry. A re-registered card is only valid in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Checking a card is genuine

SWQR doesn't have a public online search. Employers can email SWQR (swqr@qualifications.gov.scot, which gives you a written record) or phone 0345 270 2720, and they'll confirm whether someone is registered and which qualifications they hold, with expiry dates. By phone they'll check up to three people per call.

Make sure you're on swqr.org.uk, the official register. Other sites with similar names are training companies.