Licensed vs Non-Licensed Asbestos Medicals
The clearest way to understand asbestos medicals is to compare the two that most people deal with, licensed and notifiable non-licensed (NNLW). The difference follows the type of work.
Both are forms of medical surveillance under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and both centre on respiratory health. What differs is which work they apply to, how often they are required and which doctor can carry them out.
Licensed Asbestos Medical
- Who it is for
- Workers carrying out licensable asbestos work (e.g. most removal of sprayed coatings, pipe lagging and much asbestos insulating board work).
- Examination interval
- Routine examination at least every 2 years.
- Who can carry it out
- An HSE-appointed doctor (a “relevant doctor” under the regulations).
- Legal basis
- Medical surveillance under regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Non-Licensed (NNLW) Medical
- Who it is for
- Workers undertaking notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), a defined subset of non-licensed work that must be notified to the enforcing authority.
- Examination interval
- Routine examination at least every 3 years.
- Who can carry it out
- A relevant doctor, which, for non-licensed work, can be a suitably registered medical practitioner holding a licence to practise, as well as an HSE-appointed doctor.
- Legal basis
- Medical surveillance under regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Licensed vs non-licensed at a glance
| Feature | Licensed medical | Non-licensed (NNLW) medical |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Licensable asbestos work | Notifiable non-licensed work |
| Examination interval | at least every 2 years | at least every 3 years |
| Who carries it out | HSE-appointed doctor | A relevant doctor (registered, licensed to practise) |
| Chest examination | Required | Required |
| Lung function test | Part of the examination in practice | Part of the examination in practice |
| Certificate issued | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted for the other category? | Also valid for NNLW | Not valid for licensed work |
Three things to remember
- The work decides. Licensable work needs the licensed medical; notifiable non-licensed work needs the NNLW medical.
- Different intervals. Licensed is at least every 2 years; NNLW is at least every 3 years.
- Cross-acceptance is one-way. A licensed medical covers NNLW, but an NNLW medical does not cover licensable work.
Still not sure which applies?
The category depends on the material, its condition and the task. If you are unsure, check against HSE guidance or ask us, and see who needs an asbestos medical.
Comparison FAQs
The difference follows the type of work. Licensable work requires a medical at least every 2 years by an HSE-appointed doctor. Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) requires a medical at least every 3 years, which a wider group of registered doctors can perform. A licensed-work medical is accepted for non-licensed work, but not the other way around.
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).
For notifiable non-licensed work, routine medical examinations are required at least every 3 years. They may be carried out by a relevant doctor, which, for non-licensed work, can be a suitably registered medical practitioner holding a licence to practise, as well as an HSE-appointed doctor.
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.
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. Confirm your specific duties with a qualified occupational health professional or by consulting HSE guidance.