If you are searching for a chainsaw course, it usually means one of two things. Either you need the right ticket for work, or you want the confidence to use a saw safely and properly. The tricky bit is that people often call it a “chainsaw licence”, but in practice you are choosing the right NPTC unit (or units) for what you actually do on site.
This guide keeps it simple. You will see the most common job roles, what training tends to fit, and what you should book first so you do not waste money on the wrong course.
Quick answer: most people start with CS30, then add CS31
If you are new to chainsaws at work, or you are moving into a role where you will be cutting regularly, the usual starting point is:
Together, these are often sold as a combined option, sometimes described as a Ground Based Chainsaw Operator course.
If you are already experienced but have not trained for years, a chainsaw refresher course might be more suitable, especially if you are using a saw regularly at work.
What does “chainsaw licence” mean in the UK?
People say “chainsaw licence” as shorthand. What most employers and sites actually want is proof that you have completed the right training and assessment for the type of work you are doing.
That usually means NPTC units that match your role, such as cross-cutting, felling, aerial rescue, or using a chainsaw from a rope and harness. It is not about collecting certificates for the sake of it. It is about being trained, assessed, and safe for the tasks you are paid to do.
Start with your job role: what do you actually need?
Below are common roles and the course routes that tend to fit. If your work crosses over, you might need more than one unit.
If you are a ground worker, labourer or site operative who cuts timber occasionally
If you only use a saw from time to time, you still need proper training, especially if you are on commercial sites with strict supervision and compliance checks.
Most suitable starting point:
Common next step if you will fell smaller trees:
If you only ever cut timber that is already on the ground, CS30 is often enough. If you ever fell small trees as part of your job, you will usually need CS31 as well.
If you are a grounds maintenance worker or countryside ranger
This role often involves regular cutting, clearance work, and occasional felling.
Typical training route:
- CS30
- CS31
- Refresher training after time if you are not using the saw regularly, or if your employer requires it
Some teams also add other short courses depending on tasks, such as woodchipper training, but the foundation for chainsaw use is usually CS30 and CS31.
If you are starting out as an arborist or tree surgeon
If you are building a career in arboriculture, you will usually start ground-based, then add climbing and aerial units as your role develops.
Common route:
- CS30
- CS31
- Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue (for climbing work and rescue readiness)
- CS39 (Chainsaw from Rope and Harness) once you are working in the canopy with a saw
This is a typical pathway because employers want you competent on the ground before you progress into climbing and aerial chainsaw work.
If you are already climbing but need the right chainsaw qualification for aerial work
If you are climbing and will use a chainsaw off the ground, you will normally be looking at:
- Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
- CS39 (Chainsaw from Rope and Harness)
If you do not already have solid ground-based chainsaw training, many people still go back and complete CS30 and CS31 first, because it builds good habits and helps you avoid mistakes that show up in assessment.
If you are a forestry worker or woodland management contractor
Forestry work can involve larger trees, different felling situations, and more complex cutting and processing. The exact training route depends on your tasks and who you work for.
A typical starting point is still:
- CS30
- CS31
From there, your next units depend on tree size, environment, and the type of contracts you take on. If you tell us what you are cutting, where you work, and what machinery you use, it is easier to point you to the right route without guesswork.
If you are a landscaper who wants to add chainsaw work as an extra service
Many landscapers add chainsaw skills so they can take on more clearance work, small tree removal, and timber processing without always subbing it out.
Good starting point:
- CS30
Add:
- CS31 if you plan to fell small trees as part of your service offer
This route often pays for itself quickly because you reduce subcontract spend and keep more work in-house.
If you are an arb business owner training your team
If you are running a team, the goal is usually consistency. Not just getting one person trained, but building a safer, more reliable standard across everyone who touches a saw.
Most common baseline:
- CS30 + CS31 for ground-based staff using a saw
- Aerial Rescue + CS39 for climbers using a saw in the canopy
- Refresher courses for anyone who has been “getting by” on old tickets or bad habits
If your team is growing, planned training blocks also help with retention. People tend to stay where they feel invested in, especially in arb where good staff are hard to keep.
CS30 vs CS31: what is the difference?
CS30 (Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting)
This is about safe handling, maintenance, sharpening, and cutting timber on the ground. It is often the first step for anyone using a saw at work.
CS31 (Felling and Processing Small Trees)
This focuses on felling smaller trees safely and processing them correctly. If your job includes felling, CS31 is usually the next step after CS30.
One-day chainsaw courses: are they enough?
A one-day or basic chainsaw course can be useful for:
- people who need safety awareness before starting formal training
- landowners or occasional users who want a structured introduction
- organisations needing basic competence for low-risk tasks
For commercial work, most employers and sites will still look for recognised NPTC units that match the task. If you are relying on chainsaw use to earn money, it is usually worth doing it properly from the start.
What if you are not sure what you need?
This happens all the time. The fastest way to avoid booking the wrong course is to answer three questions:
- Are you only cutting timber on the ground, or will you fell trees as well?
- Will you be working off the ground (climbing / rope and harness)?
- Is this for employment and site compliance, or personal use?
If you can answer those, the right route becomes much clearer.
FAQ: choosing the right chainsaw course
Do I need CS30 before CS31?
In most cases, yes. CS30 is the foundation, then CS31 builds on it.
Can I do CS30 and CS31 together?
Yes, many people take them as a combined option, often described as a Ground Based Chainsaw Operator course.
How long do chainsaw tickets last?
There is no single expiry date, but many employers expect refresher training, especially if you have not used a saw for a long time or standards have changed.
I have experience but no certificate, what should I do?
You will usually need training and assessment that matches the work you do. Experience helps, but sites and employers tend to want recognised proof.
Book the right course, first time
If you want help choosing, speak to the team and tell us:
- your job role
- what you cut (timber only, small trees, climbing work)
- whether this is for work, a new job, or upskilling
From there, we can point you to the right course route so you are not paying twice.
Ready to get started? Book your chainsaw course online, or get in touch for advice before you book.