"How long is the Working at Heights Course?" is the second most-searched question in Ireland after "how much does it cost". The honest answer for the online Working at Heights Course is 45 minutes, end to end, including the final assessment and the Working at Heights Certificate download. Here is the full timing breakdown so you can plan your morning around it.
The 45-minute Working at Heights Course timeline
| Step | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Checkout | 30 seconds | Pay 35 euro by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay |
| 2. Module 1 - Irish regulations | 4 minutes | SHWW Act 2005, SI 299/2007 Part 4 Chapter 2, HSA duties |
| 3. Module 2 - Hierarchy of control | 4 minutes | Avoid, prevent, minimise framework |
| 4. Module 3 - Equipment selection | 5 minutes | Ladders, MEWPs, scaffolds, harnesses, anchors |
| 5. Module 4 - Pre-use inspection | 5 minutes | Daily checks for every common piece of kit |
| 6. Module 5 - Fall protection systems | 5 minutes | Fall arrest vs fall restraint, EN 363 |
| 7. Module 6 - Rescue and suspension trauma | 5 minutes | The 15-minute rescue window |
| 8. Module 7 - Risk Assessment for Work at Height | 4 minutes | Templates and worked examples |
| 9. Final assessment | 10 minutes | 20 multiple-choice questions, 80% pass mark |
| 10. Certificate download | 30 seconds | Instant PDF Working at Heights Certificate |
| Total | ~45 minutes | Working at Heights Course done, Certificate in hand |
That is the same 45-minute Working at Heights Training experience for over 50,000 learners across Ireland and counting.
Why the Working at Heights Course only needs 45 minutes online (not a full classroom day)
A classroom Working at Heights Training day stretches to 6 to 8 hours because of overhead, not learning depth:
- Setup, registration and admin (60 minutes)
- Coffee and toilet breaks (60 minutes)
- Lunch (60 minutes)
- Group discussion that often repeats core points (90 minutes)
- Travel time bookended at start and end (60 to 120 minutes)
The actual learning content - the bit that satisfies the HSA and produces a Working at Heights Certificate - is around 45 to 60 minutes. The online Working at Heights Course strips out the overhead and keeps the learning, so you finish in 45 minutes with the same recognised Working at Heights Certificate.
Can I take the Working at Heights Course in chunks instead of one sitting?
Yes. The course autosaves your progress at the end of every module. You can complete Module 1 on your phone in the canteen, Module 2 on the bus home, and the final assessment from your laptop after dinner. The platform remembers exactly where you left off.
What is the fastest a learner has finished?
The fastest verified completion in 2026 is 31 minutes by a learner who passed the assessment first attempt. The slowest realistic completion (with two assessment retakes) is around 90 minutes. Most learners land between 42 and 55 minutes.
How long for a 10-person crew to all finish?
Each learner takes the Working at Heights Course independently. Sent the link tonight, a 10-person crew can ALL be certified by tomorrow morning - typically completing in their own time across the evening or first thing on site. The employer dashboard shows live progress: who has started, who has finished, who has downloaded the Working at Heights Certificate.
How long is the Working at Heights Certificate valid?
3 years from the day you pass. After that, the Working at Heights Refresher Course renews the Working at Heights Certificate in another 45 minutes online. The platform sends you reminder emails 90, 60 and 30 days before expiry so it never lapses by accident.
How long until I can use the Working at Heights Certificate on a site?
Immediately. The PDF Working at Heights Certificate downloads the moment you pass and contains a unique verification ID. Show it to the site supervisor or upload it to the contractor portal and you are cleared to work at heights from that minute. There is no postal wait, no activation delay, no 24-hour processing window.
How long for the Working at Heights Course on mobile vs desktop?
Same 45 minutes. The Working at Heights Course is fully responsive and runs identically on iPhone, Android, iPad, Windows laptop and Mac. The video plays at any resolution and the assessment works on any screen size.
Time-saving tips for the Working at Heights Course
- Find a quiet 45-minute slot - the assessment is harder if you are interrupted
- Have a notepad for the EN standards and key duties (helps the assessment)
- Use headphones - the videos contain real audio explanations of harness use, anchor types and ladder angles
- Skip the Skip button - the modules are short, watching them all is faster than retaking the assessment
- Read the question stem twice before picking an answer - the wording matters
Frequently asked questions
Is 45 minutes really enough to learn Working at Heights safely?
The 45 minutes covers the framework: regulations, hierarchy of control, equipment, inspection, rescue, risk assessment. Combined with on-site supervision and toolbox talks, this is the same depth as classroom Working at Heights Training and meets the HSA expectation of suitable and sufficient training.
Can I retake the assessment if I fail?
Yes, unlimited retakes included in the 35 euro price. Most second attempts pass.
What if I run out of time today?
Your progress is saved. Pick up exactly where you left off, on any device, any time within the next 12 months.
Does the timing change for the Working at Heights Refresher Course?
No. The Working at Heights Refresher Course is also 45 minutes, with content updated for any regulation changes since your last certificate.
Have 45 minutes free now? Start the Working at Heights Course online, finish today, Working at Heights Certificate in your inbox before lunch.
