IPAF's Digital Future Continues with Three Major Changes Coming in 2026
IPAF has announced three significant changes for the remainder of 2026, all of which form part of a wider move towards a more digital approach to training administration, certification and licence management.
While each update affects a different part of the IPAF process, together they paint a clear picture of where the industry is heading. From digital certificates and streamlined licence applications to changes in how PAL Cards are issued, IPAF is steadily reducing reliance on paper-based systems and legacy technology.
Here's what training centres, employers and IPAF operators need to know.
Digital CAP Cards and Certificates from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, IPAF will no longer issue physical Competent Assessed Person (CAP) Cards or printed certificates. Any applications submitted from this date onwards will receive digital versions only, regardless of when the course was completed.
For candidates, the main place to access these documents will be through the IPAF ePAL app. Certificates can also be viewed by the training centre that issued them, or verified through IPAF's online PAL Card verification tool using a licence number and date of birth.
For most people, this should be a straightforward transition. The majority of delegates already use the ePAL app to access and manage their IPAF qualifications, and having certificates available digitally makes them easier to store, share and retrieve when needed.
The change also supports IPAF's wider sustainability objectives by reducing printing, postage and paper usage across the industry.
Continued Improvements to the IPAF Portal
Alongside the move to digital certification, IPAF has provided an update on its wider digitalisation programme, which has been ongoing since 2022.
Over the last few years, the organisation has gradually moved more services into the IPAF Portal. This has included eLearning administration, course bookings, training applications and the ability for training centres to resolve many application issues directly within the platform.
The next phase focuses on making the Portal even more capable.
One of the most significant developments will be an updated licence generation system, with IPAF aiming to create many licences immediately after submission where all requirements have been met. This has the potential to significantly reduce waiting times between course completion and licence issue.
Additional developments planned for 2026 include improved licence reporting, enhanced search and export functions, instructor course bookings, instructor licence applications and the migration of more reporting tools away from TCAS.
Perhaps the most interesting development is IPAF's ongoing review of training administration paperwork. While there are few details at this stage, IPAF has confirmed that this work is intended to support future digital course administration, suggesting there is still more change to come.
Changes to PAL Cards from 1 October 2026
The third announcement concerns physical PAL Cards.
From 1 October 2026, standard IPAF PAL Cards will no longer be issued with embedded SMART chips. Instead, physical cards will continue to be available in a non-chipped format.
The only exception will be PAL Cards carrying the CSCS logo, which will remain chipped in order to meet CSCS scheme requirements.
For most operators and employers, there will be little noticeable change. Although chip-enabled cards have historically been used for access control on some sites, many organisations now use alternative methods including digital verification systems and online competency checks.
IPAF has stated that removing chips from standard PAL Cards will reduce environmental impact and remove some of the supply chain challenges associated with manufacturing specialist card components.
What Does This Mean for the Industry?
Viewed individually, these announcements may seem like small operational changes. Taken together, they show a consistent direction of travel.
IPAF is steadily moving towards a system where qualifications are accessed digitally, administration is managed through a central online platform and paper-based processes become the exception rather than the standard.
For training centres, this means continuing to adapt to new digital tools and processes. For employers, it means easier access to training records and qualification verification. For operators, it should ultimately mean faster access to licences and a simpler way of managing their certifications.
The way IPAF qualifications are delivered is not changing, but the way they are administered, accessed and managed certainly is. Based on the announcements made so far, 2026 looks set to be another significant step in that digital journey.