RTITB NORS

NORSWhat is NORS?

The National Operator Registration Scheme is the centralised validation; registration and certification scheme for all RTITB accredited training. Registration on NORS lasts for 3 years from the date of test.

NORS began as a pilot scheme in 2003. Throughout the two-year pilot period various consultations were undertaken with RTITB accredited organisations. A number of changes were made to the original NORS scheme including lower prices, reduction in the registration period and the introduction of various registration options. NORS became a standard feature of accreditation for all new RTITB accredited organisations in 2005. It became a standard feature for ALL RTITB accredited organisations on 3rd April 2006 and all accredited organisations agree to register operator training via NORS as part of the accreditation criteria, so remember IF IT’S NOT NORS IT’S NOT RTITB.

Since its original inception in 2003 over 265,000 qualifications have been registered on NORS.

Operators are registered on NORS for 3 years from the date of test. Approximately 6 months prior to expiry all operators will be sent notification that their registration period is due to expire, therefore encouraging re-training/testing and in turn improving safety in workplace transport.

To re-register on NORS refresher training/testing must have been successfully undertaken in the previous 3 year registration period or at the end of the period of registration. The refresher training/testing must have been completed at an RTITB accredited organisation

NORS was introduced to:

  • Eradicate counterfeit operator certificates issued by trainers not properly accredited by RTITB.
  • Align with potential and forthcoming European and other international requirements, and to provide internationally recognised and transferable records of training and competence.
  • Help meet the requirements of UK educational funding agencies and to improve the access of accredited training organisations and individuals to funded basic training.
  • Reinforce adherence to training standards by only registering fully accredited training.
  • Raise confidence in operator training, competence and qualifications, which supports high quality training provided by accredited training organisations.
  • Provide government agencies with assured and improved data and information.
  • Provide centralised data and records in a standardised format.
  • Provide operators with a straightforward means to obtain replacement certificates in the event of loss or damage to originals.

Benefits for Operators

  • NORS registration enables employers to easily verify the details of the training undertaken
  • NORS registration enables operators to obtain replacement certificates in the event of loss/damage to originals
  • NORS improves the possibility of access to funded training by meeting the requirements of UK educational funding authorities

Benefits for the Training Organisation

  • NORS raises confidence in operator training
  • NORS supports high quality training provided by training organisations
  • NORS helps prevent non-accredited organisations and instructors issuing counterfeit “RTITB” certificates
  • NORS improves the possibility of access to funded training by meeting the requirements of UK educational funding authorities
  • NORS encourages repeat business via the registration renewal notification which includes contact details of the operators previous training organisation (providing they are still RTITB accredited)

Benefits for the Employers

  • NORS enables employers to easily identify properly trained RTITB operators via the NORS registration number
  • NORS enables employers to easily obtain further information about training undertaken by a current or prospective employee
  • NORS supports employers in ensuring their operators remain safe operators via the registration renewal notification system.

The scheme is built on a multi-option system that allows you and your clients to choose the method best suited to your needs.

The options are as follows:

Option 1: Validation, Registration, Certification and Photo ID

Option 2: Validation, Registration and Certification

Option 3: Validation, Registration and Photo ID

Option 4: Validation & Registration only

RTITB receives in excess of 5,000 NORS applications per month and strive to turnaround all correct NORS applications within 10 working days.

Correct applications are those which contain all the required information and do not require any further clarification from the training organisation in order to process them.

RTITB has a robust and efficient online registration system (the extranet) which enables a much faster turnaround for applications made in this way (usually between 2-3 working days).