6 MONTHS ACCESS FROM ACTIVATION
Complete all 34 modules and pass the theory exam at your own pace. Most learners finish within 2-4 weeks.
ALL PRODUCTS
E-Learning CourseMAINTENANCE & CROSS CUTTING
E-LEARNING
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The UK's leading online chainsaw course - IIRSM approved, instantly accessible, nationally recognised and CPD accredited.
This course is specifically designed for anyone interested in becoming a chainsaw user. Whether you're a groundworker in Kent, an arborist in the Scottish Highlands, an estate worker in Wales, a homeowner or farmer, this course gives you the theory foundation you need before your NPTC practical assessment day.
Fully online. No classroom. No travel.
This course is specifically mapped to the LANTRA & NPTC CS30 0039-20 Chainsaw Maintenance & Cross Cutting learning outcomes, the most widely held chainsaw qualifications in England, Wales, and Scotland.
What's included?
- Your physical copy and digital flip book of The Chainsaw Manual - Maintenance & Cross Cutting
- 34 structured theory modules mapped to the NPTC CS30 0039-20 syllabus (approx. 90 minutes of videos)
- Module quizzes - unlimited retries
- 45-question timed theory examination (NPTC-style questions)
- IIRSM-approved digital Theory Certificate on exam pass
- Dynamic Risk Assessment tool — GPS site location, hazard matrix, severity scoring (HSE compliant)
- Pre-Start Inspection Checklist — digital pre-use safety record for your NPTC portfolio
- Biosecurity & Hazard Map — OPM, Brown Tail Moth, Ash Dieback, and statutory containment zones across Great Britain
- Chain Identification Chart — Oregon, Stihl, and Husqvarna cross-reference guide
- 175-term Chainsaw & H&S Glossary
- UK Timber Species Guide — 30 commercial and amenity species
- Resource Library — current HSE guidance, Forestry Commission bulletins, and NPTC unit documentation
- Regular Industry News updates
How it works:
PASS THE EXAM
Your IIRSM certificate is issued immediately. Collect your CPD points — your issued certificate will state your verified 5 CPD hours.
BOOK YOUR CITY&GUILDS NPTC ASSESSMENT (optional)
Use the interactive map to find your nearest assessment venue and book your assessment. (This can take up to 4-6 weeks depending on availability). All assessment fees and communications go directly to the venue, so expect to pay around £200-250 for the assessment.
OPTIONAL CONTINUED ACCESS
Your one-off Shopify purchase includes six months from activation and does not renew automatically. Near expiry, we may offer a separate optional Stripe subscription; its live recurring price, billing frequency and cancellation terms are shown before payment.
- Purchase the e-learning chainsaw course
- Receive your physical chainsaw manual through the post within 3-4 working days
- Activate your code on one device (mobile or tablet)
- Complete the digital health & safety waiver - a legal requirement
- Work through the manual and all 34 video modules in sequence
- Pass each module quiz (unlimited retries - no pressure)
- Sit the 45-question theory examination
- Receive your IIRSM-approved certificate by email Book your NPTC 0039-20 chainsaw maintenance & cross cutting practical assessment How much could you save compared to a traditional classroom course? Most traditional chainsaw theory courses run over two full days before you can sit your NPTC practical assessment. That means two days off work, travel costs, and a course and assessment fee that typically starts at £500+ With this e-learning course, you study entirely online, in your own time, around your existing work schedule. No days off required. No travel. No classroom. Cost Traditional Route Chainsaw Courses Theory course fee ~£500+ £136 +vat Days off work (theory) 2 days' wages None — study whenever you like Travel to classroom Your cost None NPTC practical assessment fee Around £200 (paid separately to your assessment centre) Around £200 (paid separately to your assessment centre) The NPTC practical assessment fee (typically £200) whichever theory route you take — it is paid directly to your chosen assessment centre and is not included in this enrolment. Once you pass the theory exam and receive your IIRSM certificate, the app's Practical Gateway gives you everything you need to find and contact an approved NPTC CS30 0039-20 assessment venue near you. All booking, scheduling, and communication with the assessment centre is arranged directly by you — Chainsaw Courses does not manage or guarantee assessment bookings on your behalf, only facilitates initial contact. Potential saving versus the traditional classroom route: £300+ SAVINGS IN COURSE FEES ALONE - PLUS 2 DAYS' WAGES BACK IN YOUR POCKET. As a company, training multiple people can be costly and a logistical headache. No need send them away from work, pay for a course, travel expenses and pay their wages for 2 days. They are more useful and productive at work and they can complete the course whilst learning on the job. SAVING YOU MONEY WITHOUT COMPROMISING SAFETY OR QUALITY.
Who this course is for?
- This chainsaw safety course is designed for chainsaw operators across the UK who need a recognised theory certificate as a pathway to NPTC practical assessment or to obtain a CPD to refresh their skills.
- Groundworkers and landscape gardeners needing a chainsaw certificate for contracts or public liability insurance
- Arborists and tree surgeons working towards CS30 0039-20 chainsaw maintenance & cross cutting or refreshing lapsed certificates
- Forestry and woodland workers in private estates, Forestry England, or Forestry Commission-managed land in Wales (Natural Resources Wales) and Scotland (Forestry and Land Scotland)
- Farmers and rural land managers in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland requiring chainsaw competency evidence
- Local authority grounds maintenance teams and highway contractors
- Volunteers with conservation organisations - National Trust, Wildlife Trusts where a theory certificate is required before supervised practical work
- Anyone refreshing an expired or lapsed chainsaw certificate - recommendations are to refresh your chainsaw competence every 3-5 years, this course provides that refresher of competence - saving you time and money.
Entry requirements
No prior chainsaw experience is required. You must be 18 or over and able to read and understand English. The theory course is open to learners across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands. Learners should arrange access to appropriate PPE before their NPTC practical assessment day (not required to access this online course). Certification — nationally recognised Successful candidates receive an IIRSM-approved Theory Certificate - the Institute of Risk and Safety Management's accreditation mark. The qualification is recognised by: Employers, principal contractors, and site managers Public liability insurers requiring documented competency evidence Forestry England, Natural Resources Wales, Forestry and Land Scotland Local authorities, housing associations, and utility contractors
Instant digital access.
A physical item ships with this product unless you have purchased the Physical Manual elsewhere. Your unique purchase code arrives by email within minutes of checkout - even at weekends.
Course FAQs
What does the online chainsaw course cover?
The Chainsaw Courses e-learning course covers chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting theory. It includes 34 learning modules, module quizzes and a final theory examination.
Who is this course for?
The course supports people learning chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting theory, as well as experienced operators refreshing their knowledge. Online learning does not replace any practical training or assessment required for your work.
Can I study at my own pace?
Yes. You can work through the learning modules at your own pace during your access period. Each module includes a training video and a quiz that must be completed before the next module unlocks.
How long do I have access to the course?
Your one-off course purchase includes six months of access from activation. It does not renew automatically. Any optional continued-access subscription is a separate purchase, with its price and terms shown before payment.
How do I access the course after purchasing?
After purchase, you receive a unique activation code. Use this code to activate your learning in the Chainsaw Courses app and follow the access instructions supplied with your purchase.
How do the quizzes and final exam work?
You must score 100% on each module quiz to unlock the next module. After completing all modules, you take a 45-question theory examination. The final examination pass mark is 80%, equivalent to 36 correct answers out of 45.
What certificate do I receive?
After successfully completing the course and passing the final theory examination, you receive a course completion certificate recording five CPD hours. The course is IIRSM approved. This certificate is separate from a City & Guilds NPTC practical qualification.
Does this course give me a City & Guilds NPTC qualification?
No. Completing the online course alone does not award a City & Guilds NPTC practical qualification. Practical assessment is separate and must be arranged with an appropriate assessment provider. The course offers an assessment-venue map to help you find a provider.
Are practical assessment fees included?
No. Practical assessment is booked and paid for separately with your chosen assessment provider. Contact the provider directly to confirm suitability, requirements, availability and current fees.
Is The Chainsaw Manual included with the course?
A complimentary physical manual is included unless you select “I already have a manual” when purchasing. Leave that option unchecked if you would like to receive the manual.
Training
£136
Leave this unchecked to receive the complimentary manual with your online course.
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- Activate your course in the Chainsaw Courses app using your unique purchase code.
- Complies with current UK industrial safety guidelines.
- Train at your own pace, on any device, wherever you are.