PASMA Explained: Tower Training, Cards and When You Need It
PASMA is the recognised UK trade association and training body for prefabricated access towers (mobile scaffold towers). Its training and card scheme is the standard reference point for competent tower erection, use and inspection across UK industry.
Who demands it
Principal contractors and facilities clients across NE Scotland who use mobile towers for internal or external access — many sites require a valid PASMA card before anyone is permitted to erect, dismantle or work from a tower.
How it's assessed
A short theory element on tower components, stability and legislation, plus a hands-on practical assessment of safe building, use, or dismantling of the tower category being trained.
What PASMA is
PASMA is the recognised UK trade association and training body for prefabricated access towers (mobile scaffold towers). Its training and card scheme is the standard reference point for competent tower erection, use and inspection across UK industry.
What it covers
- Tower for Users (safe use of an already-built tower)
- Tower Erector / Low Level (building and dismantling smaller towers)
- Advanced tower configurations (via further modules)
Cards / certificates & validity
| Card / certificate | Validity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| PASMA Card | Typically 5 years | Confirms training on the relevant tower category; renewed via refresher before expiry. |
Renewal
Renewal via a refresher course and reassessment, typically before the 5-year card expiry; PASMA also issues guidance on periodic competence refreshers given how quickly component knowledge can go stale if towers are used infrequently.
When PASMA is right
Where a fixed, single-location access job over an extended period makes a tower the practical choice — see our /compare/mewp-vs-scaffold-tower page for the fuller decision — and your team will be doing the erecting/dismantling themselves rather than hiring a pre-built structure.
When it's not the right fit
If your work needs frequent repositioning across a shift, a MEWP with an IPAF/NPORS category ticket is usually the better fit, and PASMA training alone won't cover that use case.
Logan Plant Training & PASMA
PASMA is not among the accreditations listed on our /accreditations page. We can advise on when tower access is the right choice and point you towards PASMA-accredited training providers for tower-specific certification.
FAQ
Does Logan Plant Training deliver PASMA courses?
Our stated accreditation, per our accreditations page, is NPORS. For PASMA-specific tower certification, we can point you to an accredited PASMA training provider.
How often do towers need inspecting?
In addition to a pre-use check by a competent person, formal periodic inspection (commonly every 7 days) is expected under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Is PASMA training the same as IPAF training?
No — they cover different equipment entirely: towers versus powered access (MEWPs).
Need training booked against a specific scheme?
Tell us what your site or client requires and Chris will call back with straight advice.