Face Fit Testing Training Courses – Clearing Up the Confusion

09 Feb Face Fit Testing Training Courses – Clearing Up the Confusion

Face Fit Testing Training Courses

There currently seems to be a great deal of confusion surrounding the provision of face fit testing training courses. This confusion is often caused by misleading terminology being used within the industry, so it’s important to clarify exactly what Fit2Fit accreditation and approval really mean.

Fit2Fit Accredited

The BSIF (British Safety Industry Federation) Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme is designed to confirm the competency of individuals carrying out face fit testing.

If a person is Fit2Fit accredited, they are accredited only as a face fit tester — not as a trainer, instructor, tutor, or training provider.

There is no such thing as:

• A Fit2Fit accredited course
• A Fit2Fit accredited instructor
• A Fit2Fit accredited tutor
• A Fit2Fit accredited training provider

The accreditation applies solely to the individual tester, nothing else.

Unfortunately, many training companies use misleading terms such as “Fit2Fit accredited training” or “Fit2Fit accredited instructors” to market their courses. While being trained by someone competent is clearly essential, it raises an important question:

To whose standards are they actually training you?

Fit2Fit accreditation confirms that an individual has demonstrated competence to their peers in conducting face fit testing. It has absolutely nothing to do with training provision.

Fit2Fit Approved

To address the need for high-quality training, the BSIF developed the Fit2Fit Approved Training Scheme. This scheme is specifically designed to approve training courses, not testers.

The approval process is rigorous. Having personally submitted and successfully achieved approval for both our qualitative (taste test) and quantitative (APC method) courses for the second time, I can confirm this is far from a simple box-ticking exercise. It requires significant work, evidence, and strict compliance with demanding standards.

Despite this, we still see companies using misleading terms such as:

• Fit2Fit approved testing & training
• Fit2Fit approved course

Only the training course itself can be approved — not the testing.

Currently, only 9 companies in the UK hold Fit2Fit approval for training provision. These companies have all demonstrated that they deliver the highest standard of training.

The official list can be found here:
https://www.fit2fit.org/fit2fit-approved-training-providers/

When selecting a training provider, this list is the best place to start.

Gaining Fit2Fit Accreditation

Becoming Fit2Fit accredited is not simply a matter of attending a course. No training course, approved or otherwise  automatically makes you an accredited face fit tester.

The correct pathway is:

1. Complete high-quality training
   Choosing a Fit2Fit Approved training provider gives you the strongest possible foundation.
2. Gain practical experience
   You must then put your training into practice and carry out a significant number of correct face fit tests.
3. Apply for Fit2Fit assessment
   Once you are competent and experienced, you can apply to Fit2Fit for accreditation.

The accreditation assessment includes:

• A practical face fit test using your chosen method
• A written theory examination
• Mask inspections
• Technical questioning during the practical assessment

When training with a Fit2Fit Approved provider, you will also receive a £120 discount voucher towards your accreditation assessment fee.

So while cheaper, non-approved courses may appear attractive, they:

• Do not meet Fit2Fit training standards
• Do not provide the £120 assessment discount
• May not properly prepare candidates to pass the accreditation process

In short, quality training pays for itself.

If you are looking for a face fit testing training course then visit the fit2fit approved training company page.