This page covers some of the business and financial factors we guide you to take into account of when deciding if becoming a BSS Examiner is right for you and your business.
Your business case
If you are a sole trader or small business manager, the business case for pursuing a place on the BSS Examiner Training Programme is a matter for you to carefully consider and if you don’t have experience in this regard, we guide you to get advice from organisations and professionals who specialise in this area of business support.
The total price examiner’s charge boat owners for boat examinations is not fixed, advised or controlled by the BSS. Examiners compete with each other in a free market and the price to boaters will vary. We guide you to research the ‘going-rate’ for BSS Examinations in your planned area of operation.
One typical planning exercise would be to consider boats in scope of If you are not Gas Safe registered (LPG and Boats), you may need to plan for a registered technician to also attend and undertake a gas-tightness test in your presence and that may have additional costs. You may wish to consider if your location and potential customer base includes boats in scope of Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations.
You can find out how many examiners operate in the locality by visiting our find-an-examiner web-page.
Before applying to attend the BSS Examiner Training Course you are strongly advised to have prepared a business case that takes account of all direct and indirect costs including those associated with meeting the BSS Examiner Conditions of Registration as well as all costs of annual membership.
Annual costs
If and when a candidate passes the full training programme, they may apply to the BSS Office to register as a BSS Examiner. The latest fixed registration, equipment and documentation costs associated with registering as an examiner are available following this link.
Examiners must maintain at their own expense and at all times, valid Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurances covering their BSS activity. Cover may be arranged independently but the terms and level of cover of any individual policy held by an examiner must not be less than those of the BSS Policies operated by two independent brokers – currently a minimum level of £5 million cover for each is required. Details of the BSS Policy providers are available from the BSS Office.
Variable costs
These costs shown here are as of October 2022. They are provided as a guide, are not exhaustive, are subject to VAT and subject to change.
Each time an examiner issues a BSS Certification a charge (£48 + VAT - 2022-23) is accrued and the certifications issued during the previous month are invoiced at the end of that month.
Examiners are expected to maintain their level of competence throughout their career by completing BSS training and assessments at their own expenses and where appropriate, keep their own competence qualifications current. Annual online and/or attended training should be expected. All training is provided at a cost neutral basis and as a guide the recent LPG course in 2020 cost £440 (plus VAT) for a blended online module and two-day attended course. In 2022 a single knowledge and assessment online module cost around £70 (plus VAT).
You must have a respectable financial status
If a course attendee hasn’t already got a customer account with the Canal & River Trust, opening an account will be required as the Trust administers the BSS including handling all of our income and expenditure transactions.
This involves the invoicing of examiners on a monthly credit basis for all BSS certifications they issue. Having a poor credit rating may prevent an account with the Canal & River Trust from being set up and that would prevent you becoming an examiner.
You must be insurable
If you know that you will not be insurable this would exclude you from applying to become an examiner because of the need to hold valid Professional Indemnity and Public Liability cover, as mentioned previously.
You must be entitled to work in the UK
We are likely to check your status in this regard.
If you are keen to become an examiner then please read all the information available to understand the considerable demands and responsibilities that come with the role before completing the online expression of interest form.
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