How to Get PQS Approved

PQS approval (Pre-Qualification Scheme approval) is used by clients and principal contractors to assess whether a business meets required standards for health & safety, financial stability, insurance, and compliance. Getting PQS approved allows contractors to tender for work without repeatedly completing lengthy pre-qualification questionnaires.

What Is PQS Approval?

A PQS (Pre-Qualification Scheme) is a system used to verify that contractors are competent, compliant, and suitable to carry out work. Common PQS platforms in the UK include Constructionline, CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS and PQS itself.

PQS approval confirms that your business meets recognised industry standards.

Step-by-Step: How to Get PQS Approved

1. Choose the Right PQS Scheme

Select a PQS that matches your target clients and contracts. Many contractors choose schemes aligned with SSIP core criteria to maximise acceptance.

2. Prepare Your Health & Safety Documentation

You will need evidence, not just statements. This typically includes:

• A current Health & Safety Policy

• Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)

• Training and competence records

• Accident and incident procedures

3. Appoint a Competent Person

Under Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, businesses must have access to competent health & safety advice. This can be:

• An internal competent person, or

• An external health & safety consultant

4. Submit Company and Financial Information

Most PQS schemes require:

• Company details and structure

• Employers’ and public liability insurance

• Financial information or turnover declaration

5. Complete the Assessment and Respond to Queries

Once submitted, your application may be reviewed with follow-up questions. Prompt, accurate responses help avoid delays or rejection.

How Long Does PQS Approval Take?

• Simple applications: 5–10 working days

• More complex applications: 2–4 weeks, depending on documentation readiness

Preparation is the key factor.

Common Reasons PQS Applications Fail

• Out-of-date or generic policies

• Missing training records

• No evidence of a competent person

• Applying for a scheme above your current capability

These issues are common but avoidable.

Is PQS Approval Worth It?

For most UK contractors, yes.

PQS approval:

• Reduces repeated PQQ paperwork

• Improves credibility with buyers

• Increases access to tender opportunities

• Demonstrates legal and safety compliance

Many clients now treat PQS approval as a minimum requirement.

Conclusion

• PQS approval verifies contractor competence and compliance

• Health & safety evidence is essential

• A competent person is legally required

• Preparation reduces delays and failures

• PQS approval helps contractors win more work

What Is PQS Accreditation? (UK Contractors Explained)

PQS accreditation stands for Pre-Qualification Scheme accreditation. It is used in the UK construction and services sectors to assess whether a contractor meets recognised standards for health & safety, insurance, financial stability, and legal compliance.

Many clients and principal contractors require the accreditation before allowing businesses to tender for work.

What Does PQS Mean?

A PQS accreditation confirms that a business has been independently assessed against industry-recognised criteria. It demonstrates that a contractor:

• Manages health and safety effectively
• Has appropriate insurance in place
• Is financially viable
• Meets legal and regulatory obligations

Instead of completing multiple PQQs, accredited contractors can use PQS as proof of compliance.

Who Needs PQS Accreditation?

The accreditation is commonly required for:

• Construction contractors and subcontractors
• Electrical, mechanical, and building services companies
• Maintenance and facilities management providers
• Businesses tendering for commercial or public sector work

For many buyers, PQS accreditation is a minimum entry requirement.

What Does The Accreditation Assess?

A PQS assessment typically reviews:

Health & Safety Management

• Health & Safety Policy
• Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
• Training and competence records
• Accident reporting procedures

Company and Financial Information

• Business structure and ownership
• Public and employers’ liability insurance
• Financial declarations or accounts

Compliance and Governance

• Legal compliance
• Modern slavery and equality policies (where applicable)
• Environmental considerations

How Long Does The Accreditation Last?

PQS accreditations are valid for 12 months and require annual renewal to ensure information remains current and compliant.

Benefits of the Accreditation

PQS accreditation helps contractors:

• Win more work
• Reduce repeated PQQ paperwork
• Demonstrate competence to buyers
• Meet procurement requirements quickly

For small contractors, it saves time and improves credibility.

Common Misunderstandings

• It is not optional for many contracts
• Generic policies are not sufficient
• Accreditation must be maintained, not just achieved

Conclusion

• PQS accreditation is a UK pre-qualification assessment

• It proves contractor competence and compliance

• Often required before tendering

• Covers health & safety, insurance and financial checks

• Typically renewed annually

Expert Advice

Choosing the right PQS scheme, and getting your documentation right first time, can be the difference between winning work and being delayed or rejected at the pre-qualification stage.

The first question most contractors ask is “how much does it cost?”

In many cases, PQS accreditation is significantly more cost-effective than other SSIP schemes such as CHAS, while meeting the same SSIP-recognised standards. All SSIP accreditations follow the same core criteria, so you’re not compromising on compliance.

PQS fees can vary, so rather than guessing, complete a short form and we’ll confirm the exact current cost for your business.

Click the button below.

How to save money with a PQS accreditation

Following recent client feedback, we would like to share information on PQS accreditation costs and where it stands in the current market.

PQS accreditation is the most competitive method for achieving SSIP accreditation. PQS can be used to obtain the majority of the SSIP umbrella group partners, such as CHAS and Safe Contractor, under their deem to satisfy scheme

We will explain all of the costs of achieving PQS accreditation and compare it to CHAS, one of the more popular alternatives.

Cost Comparison

CHAS have developed a membership-type offering. The cost of each type depends on how many people you employ.

Costs per annum: You must renew the membership each year.

CHAS accreditation costs

Save with PQS accreditation costs

The costs for PQS accreditation are:

The fees above are correct as of January 2025.

Training costs

In terms of training that is required to achieve the standard needed for assessment, this can vary depending on your activities.

The assessor will be looking to ensure all members of your workforce are trained for the task they are carrying out.

This can be an industry standard that is needed such as:

• Gas safe for gas engineers
• Level 3 NVQ in Electrical Installations
• CISRS Scaffolding Part 1 & 2 – Scaffolders

They will also look to ensure that refresher training is carried out such as tool box talks and eLearning is often required.

Courses that are often asked for include:

• Working at Height
• Manual Handling
• Asbestos Awareness

Competent person costs

Ensuring you have the right level of support and advice for your Health & Safety is a bit of a minefield and can be defined simply by the number of employees you have.

Less than 5 employees = Safety Advisor

This service is where you are offered support and advice when needed, this tends to be a one of payment where you will be given a service agreement, certificate and a CV to show the qualifications of the person who is providing you with the advice. Paperwork such as off the shelf risk assessments and risk assessment and Method statements would be provided on an as and when basis should you need them.

5 or more employees = Competent Person

This service is where you pay a monthly retainer fee for continued support and advice should you need it.  In this service you will be provided with a full Safety Management System including full Health & Safety Policy and Employee Handbook. A consultant will be on hand to provide advice and guidance should this ever be necessary.

Whilst not every company is black and white like this, the rule of thumb tends to be the details above. You may be asked by a client to prove you have a dedicated support for Health & Safety resource as well as a full health & safety policy.

Additional Information

If you still have more questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we will be happy to help you achieve your accreditation.