Licensed Asbestos Medicals
Statutory medical surveillance for workers carrying out licensable work with asbestos, carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor as required by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Medical surveillance for licensable asbestos work
Licensable work with asbestos is the highest-risk category of asbestos work, for example, most removal of sprayed coatings and pipe lagging, and much work on asbestos insulating board (AIB). Workers carrying out this work must be under medical surveillance under regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
A licensed asbestos medical is the occupational health examination that supports this duty. It focuses on respiratory health and must be carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor (a “relevant doctor” under the regulations).
An examination for licensable work is also accepted as valid for notifiable non-licensed work, but the reverse is not true, so licensed workers need the licensed-work medical. We arrange these medicals for individuals and teams across the UK, alongside our other asbestos medical services.
- Applies to
- Employees and self-employed people doing licensable asbestos work
- Interval
- Routine examination at least every 2 years
- Carried out by
- An HSE-appointed doctor (a “relevant doctor”)
- Legal basis
- regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Records kept
- Health record 40 years; certificate 4 years
Is a licensed asbestos medical right for you?
Licensed medicals apply where the work itself is licensable. If you are unsure which category your work falls into, we can help you check before you book.
- Licensed asbestos removal operatives and supervisors
- Workers removing sprayed asbestos coatings
- Workers removing asbestos pipe lagging or thermal insulation
- Much asbestos insulating board (AIB) removal work
- Self-employed contractors carrying out licensable work
Not all asbestos work is licensable
Lower-risk tasks may fall under notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) or non-notifiable work, which have different surveillance requirements. See our licensed vs non-licensed comparison if you are not sure.
What does the law require for licensed work?
Under regulation 22, an employer must ensure each employee carrying out licensable work is under adequate medical surveillance by a relevant doctor, and must keep a health record. Key points:
- An initial examination before the worker begins licensable work (and no more than two years before exposure).
- A routine examination at least every 2 years while the work continues.
- The examination must include a specific examination of the chest.
- Examinations take place during working hours and at the employer's cost.
HSE guidance MS31 sets out how appointed doctors carry out surveillance for licensed work.
What a licensed asbestos medical involves
A focused occupational health appointment. The regulations mandate a chest examination; any further tests or X-rays are at the examining doctor's discretion.
Medical & occupational history
Your health background and a record of asbestos and other occupational exposures.
Respiratory questionnaire
A standard questionnaire covering breathing and respiratory symptoms.
Lung function test
A breathing test (spirometry) to measure how well your lungs are working.
Chest examination
The specific examination of the chest required by the regulations.
Certificate of medical examination
Issued to you and your employer, confirming the examination and its date.
Chest X-ray is not routine
HSE does not advocate routine X-rays as part of medical surveillance. The examining doctor may arrange one only where there is a clinical reason.
- Focus
- Respiratory health
- Mandated
- A specific chest examination
- Discretionary
- Any laboratory tests or X-rays
- Outcome
- Certificate of medical examination
How often is a licensed medical required?
For licensable work, routine medical examinations are required at least every 2 years. A worker should have an initial examination before starting licensable work, then regular examinations while the work continues. The examining doctor can also ask for an earlier review if they consider it appropriate.
After each examination, the doctor issues a certificate of medical examination confirming the examination took place and its date. A copy goes to both the worker and the employer. The certificate records that the medical happened, it is not a guarantee of fitness.
More on certificates & records- Initial examination
- Before licensable work begins
- Routine interval
- at least every 2 years
- Certificate kept by employer
- 4 years
- Health record kept
- 40 years from the last entry
Preparing for your examination
A few simple steps help your appointment run smoothly.
What to bring
- Photo identification
- A list of any medication you take
- Your previous asbestos medical certificate, if you have one
- Details of your recent asbestos work history
How to arrange it
Send your enquiry
Tell us the type of work and how many workers need examining.
Confirm the details
We confirm the right medical, the arrangements and a clear quotation.
Attend the appointment
The examination is completed and your certificate is issued.
Licensed asbestos medical FAQs
For licensable work, routine medical examinations are required at least every 2 years, and must be carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor (a “relevant doctor” under the regulations).
Medicals for licensable work must be carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor. Medicals for notifiable non-licensed work can be carried out by a relevant doctor, a suitably registered medical practitioner with a licence to practise, as well as by an HSE-appointed doctor.
A typical examination includes a review of medical and occupational history, a respiratory questionnaire, a lung function (breathing) test and a specific examination of the chest. The regulations require a chest examination; any additional laboratory tests or X-rays are carried out only where the examining doctor considers them necessary.
After the examination the doctor issues a certificate of medical examination confirming that the examination took place and the date it was carried out. A copy goes to both the employee and the employer. The certificate records that the medical happened; it is not a guarantee of fitness and does not contain confidential clinical findings.
For employees, the regulations place the duty to arrange and fund medical surveillance on the employer. Examinations should take place during the worker's normal working hours. Self-employed workers carrying out qualifying work are responsible for arranging their own surveillance.
Related services
Need to arrange an asbestos medical?
Tell us the type of work and how many people need examining. We will help you arrange the right medical surveillance and send a clear quotation.
Important: This page is general guidance about occupational asbestos medicals in the UK and is not medical or legal advice. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. It does not confirm whether specific work is licensable, that assessment depends on the task and the material. Confirm your specific duties with a qualified occupational health professional or by consulting HSE guidance.