Accreditation Renewal & Expiry: Don't Let Your Certificate Lapse

Almost every UK accreditation runs on a 12-month clock — CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS Worksafe and SSIP certificates are all annual. Wondering if you need more than one accreditation? The answer often hinges on which clients' directories you need to appear in. Let one lapse and you can drop off the directory a client is searching, lose your SSIP Deem to Satisfy recognition, and miss a tender overnight. There's no published grace period, so the renewal date is the date that matters.

How long does each accreditation last?

Every major scheme renews annually. Here's when each accreditation expires and what triggers the renewal:

One nuance worth knowing: CHAS separates your membership date (when you pay) from your compliance date (when the assessment is renewed) — so check both. For the full picture of what CHAS accreditation involves, see our pillar guide; or see the CHAS documents checklist for what you'll need.

When does CHAS accreditation renew?

CHAS certificates run 12 months from your compliance date (not your payment date). You can start the renewal 4–6 weeks before expiry, and CHAS will usually let you reuse documents that haven't changed. The full CHAS documents checklist shows what you'll need to upload.

How often do I need to renew my SSIP certificate?

Every SSIP member scheme — including CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS Worksafe and Constructionline — requires annual renewal. Your certificate expires 12 months from issue, and there's no published grace period. Once it lapses, you drop off the SSIP Portal and lose Deem to Satisfy recognition with other schemes.

What happens if my accreditation certificate lapses?

Recognition under SSIP mutual recognition only holds while your details show correctly on the SSIP Portal (as explained in our SSIP mutual recognition guide). Once your entry expires, that Deem to Satisfy recognition stops — so other schemes can no longer "deem" you to satisfy their requirement off your certificate. In practice a lapse means:

1. 1
   You fall off the directory a client searches for approved contractors — they may simply not find you.
2. 2
   Deem to Satisfy breaks — any certificate you hold with another scheme on the back of this one expires with it.
3. 3
   You can't evidence the requirement mid-tender, which can stall a bid or an active contract.

When should I start my accreditation renewal?

A sensible rule of thumb is to start your renewal 4–6 weeks before expiry — you can usually begin before the current certificate runs out, so there's no gap. Renewing online is generally less work than the first assessment (some schemes let you reuse much of last year's submission), though that's a time saving rather than a guaranteed price discount. Many schemes follow a common assessment standard question set, which can streamline the process across multiple certifications.

What happens to my Deem to Satisfy certificates when I renew?

If you hold a "deemed" certificate with a second scheme, its expiry mirrors your original SSIP certificate. So when you renew your base scheme, you then need to refresh the deemed certificates you hold elsewhere too — renewing the base keeps you eligible, but each deemed certificate has to be re-issued. Keeping the underlying evidence documents current — and having the CHAS documents checklist ready — makes each renewal far quicker.

Frequently asked questions

How long does CHAS last?

A CHAS certificate is valid for 12 months and renews via an annual assessment. Note that CHAS separates your membership payment date from your compliance (assessment) date, so check both when planning a renewal. See the CHAS documents checklist for what you'll need.

Is there a grace period if my accreditation expires?

No scheme we checked publishes a formal grace period. Once a certificate expires your SSIP Portal entry lapses and Deem to Satisfy recognition stops, so aim to renew before the expiry date rather than after.

Does renewing one SSIP scheme keep my Deem to Satisfy valid?

Renewing your base SSIP scheme keeps you eligible for Deem to Satisfy, but any deemed certificate you hold with another scheme expires in step with the original — so you'll need to re-issue those after you renew. See SSIP mutual recognition explained.

How early can I renew my accreditation?

You can usually start before the current certificate expires; 4–6 weeks ahead is a common rule of thumb, which avoids any gap in cover.

What happens if my accreditation lapses mid-contract?

If your certificate expires while you're on a live contract, you immediately fail to meet the accreditation requirement the client specified. That can trigger contract compliance reviews, stop future payments, or in strict cases halt your work on site until you renew. Most clients won't catch it instantly, but formal audits or directory checks will expose the lapse.

Do I need to resubmit all my documents when I renew?

Most schemes let you reuse documents from the previous year if nothing has changed — policies, insurance certificates, risk assessments. You'll still need to confirm details and upload any updated evidence (new insurance dates, revised method statements), but it's typically faster than the initial application. Because many schemes now use the common assessment standard question set, uploading the same evidence to multiple portals is still a reality — which is exactly the residual pain TradeComply will solve. Check your scheme's renewal portal for which documents carry forward.