CompEx certificates are valid for 5 years from the date of issue. After 5 years you must renew by completing a reassessment through an accredited CompEx assessment centre. This ensures that your knowledge and practical competency remain current as standards evolve.
Why Does CompEx Need Renewing?
The IEC 60079 series of standards is regularly revised. Renewal ensures that electricians are working to the current version of the standards, not outdated requirements. The 5-year renewal cycle also reflects the reality that hazardous area inspection and installation skills require regular practical use to remain sharp.
What Does Renewal Involve?
CompEx renewal typically involves a reassessment of both the written knowledge and practical competency. The reassessment covers the same scope as the original assessment but may be condensed for experienced practitioners. Your assessment centre will advise on the specific requirements.
Planning Your Renewal
Most operators require a current (in-date) CompEx certificate as a condition of site access. Plan your renewal well in advance of your expiry date — assessment centre availability can be limited, particularly in peak periods. Many experienced practitioners use the renewal period as an opportunity to refresh their knowledge of any standards that have been updated since their last assessment.
What Happens If Your CompEx Expires?
If your certificate lapses before you renew, you lose the ability to demonstrate current competency — most operators will refuse site access from the expiry date, regardless of how long you held the certificate previously. There is no grace period built into the scheme itself; an expired certificate is treated the same as never having held one. If your certificate has already lapsed, you'll need to complete the full reassessment as if starting fresh, including both written and practical elements, rather than any abbreviated renewal-only process.
How Far in Advance Should You Renew?
JTL and assessment centres generally allow renewal assessment to be booked in the months before expiry, so your new 5-year period starts from the renewal date rather than waiting for the old certificate to fully lapse first. Booking 2-3 months ahead of your expiry date is a sensible target — this gives enough buffer to handle limited availability at busy centres without risking a gap in your certification, particularly important if you need continuous site access for ongoing offshore or contract work.
Does the Scope of CompEx Change Between Renewals?
Occasionally. The IEC 60079 series has been revised multiple times over the years — protection type standards, inspection grading, and terminology have all seen updates. A renewal assessment is your opportunity to ensure your practical knowledge reflects the current edition of these standards, not the version that was current when you first qualified. If you've been working consistently in hazardous areas, much of this updates naturally through site work — but candidates who've had a career break or moved into different roles sometimes find the standards have moved further than expected.
Even with years of experience, the written assessment can catch practitioners out — particularly on the finer details of deficiency classification, the barrier gland volume rule, or the specific requirements of less common protection types. EX Academy's practice questions and inspection simulations are equally useful for renewal preparation as for first-time assessment.