The complete framework of hazardous area Ex qualifications — from Awareness through to Responsible Persons and Maritime. Independent preparation resources, guides and community support from The Engineering University.
The Ex Assessment Series is the UK's benchmark competence framework for engineers and technicians working in explosive atmospheres. Each qualification within the series covers a specific area of hazardous environment work — from gas and vapours through to dust, fuel filling stations, water treatment, mechanical engineering and maritime operations.
Certificates within the Ex Assessment Series are valid for five years, after which a Refresh assessment is required to maintain competence. The qualifications are recognised across industries including oil and gas, petrochemical, nuclear, pharmaceutical, LPG, water utilities, refinery, offshore and more.
The Engineering University covers the complete series. We currently offer POSISYS™ — our dedicated preparation system for Gas and Vapours Ex01–04. For all other qualifications in the series, we are building community-driven support resources. If you have experience of any of these assessments and would like to contribute, we would like to hear from you.
POSISYS™ Available Now — Early Access
The primary hazardous area competence assessment for Instrument, E&I and Electrical Engineers. Five days residential — theory, four timed practicals and a multi-choice exam. The most widely required Ex qualification across UK industry.
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Ex01 · Ex02 · Ex03 · Ex04
The primary Ex qualification for instrument, E&I and electrical engineers. Five days residential — theory, practicals and multi-choice exam. Covers zones, ATEX marking, protection concepts, cable glands, IS systems and inspection.
Full Ex01–04 GuideExA
Foundation-level awareness of explosive atmosphere hazards for non-specialist personnel who work in or around hazardous areas but do not carry out inspection or maintenance work.
ExF · ExF+
Entry-level Ex qualifications covering the fundamental principles of hazardous area classification, equipment selection and basic inspection for those beginning their Ex competence journey.
Ex05 · Ex06
Hazardous area competence for environments where combustible dust creates an explosive atmosphere risk. Covers dust zone classification, equipment marking, dust group and temperature class, and inspection principles specific to dust environments.
Ex07 · Ex08
Specialist Ex assessment for engineers and technicians working on fuel filling station equipment, dispensers and underground storage systems where flammable vapour atmospheres are present.
Ex09 · Ex10
Ex competence for engineers working on instrumentation and electrical systems in water treatment environments — digesters, pump stations and other areas where flammable gases may be present.
Ex11
Ex assessment for mechanical engineers working in explosive atmosphere environments — covering mechanical equipment selection, installation and inspection for gas, vapour and dust hazardous areas.
Ex12
Ex assessment for engineers responsible for the design, specification and selection of Ex equipment and systems — covering equipment selection, documentation and design verification for explosive atmosphere installations.
Ex14
Ex assessment for those holding formal Responsible Person accountability for Ex installations — covering management of Ex work, permit to work systems, documentation control and contractor management in hazardous areas.
MTEx01 · MTEx02 · MTEx03 · MTEx04
The Ex assessment series adapted for maritime and offshore environments — covering hazardous area classification, equipment and inspection principles specific to vessels, rigs and offshore installations.
RPPEx01 – RPPEx04
The Recognised Practitioner Programme for experienced Ex practitioners — recognising significant practical experience and demonstrating ongoing competence across the Ex Assessment Series.
SBT
Specialist assessment for engineers and technicians working with small bore tubing systems in hazardous area environments — covering installation, testing and inspection of SBT instrument connections.
POSISYS™ currently covers Ex01–04 Gas and Vapours — Darren's area of deep personal expertise. For every other qualification in the Ex Assessment Series, TEU wants to build honest, accurate, community-driven preparation resources.
If you have sat any of these assessments and are willing to contribute your experience — topic areas, what to focus on, where candidates struggle — we want to hear from you. Contributors receive a thank-you gift, and your expertise goes towards helping engineers across the UK prepare better.
This is not about copyright — it is about experience. We are not asking for exam questions. We are asking what it was really like, and what you would tell a colleague preparing for it.