Frequently asked questions

Applicants should attend a briefing session conducted by examination panel members on how to apply and prepare for certificate of competence examinations. Attendance is highly recommended but is optional.

Briefing sessions are generally held one to three months before the closing date for an exam. Register your interest in attending a briefing session by selecting the link on the Briefing sessions page to access the event (at no charge). Recordings of previous briefing sessions may also be found on the same page.

An initial application fee is payable with your application. Refer to the exam fee schedule fact sheet (PDF, 82.51 KB) for the current application fee. The application fee is non-refundable.

After your application or re-sit application is processed and you are approved, you will receive an invitation with details of the exam you are about to sit. This invitation will include a link to pay the applicable written or oral examination fee to be paid by the specified date in the invitation.

Refer to the exam fee schedule fact sheet (PDF, 82.51 KB) for the current examination fee. The exam fee is refundable, less a $50 administration fee, only where notification of non-attendance is received in advance of the exam date.

You will receive your results after the examiners have completed their assessments through the Resources Regulator portal. The results will detail the next step in the assessment process and will be received within six weeks of sitting your exam. If you are successful, you will be invited to attend an oral exam.

You will receive your results after completing your oral exam through the Resources Regulator portal. This can take up to six weeks. If you are deemed not yet competent, your results will advise how to attend the next oral exam. If you are deemed competent, you will have your certificate of competence emailed to you.

You can reapply for the next exam through the Resources Regulator Portal. If you decide to re-sit an exam, we ask that you carefully review the examiner's report to see how you can improve. Please be aware some candidates require several attempts to pass the examination process successfully and be deemed competent. 

You should contact us via email at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au or call us on 1300 814 609 (option 2 then 3). We will provide you with feedback and comments on your assessment outcome. If you are still not satisfied, you can complete a review of examination outcome on the Resources Regulator Portal within 28 days from the date you were advised of your exam result.

There is a fee for review which is detailed in our Fact sheet: Examination fee schedule. (PDF, 82.51 KB)You must include the reasons why you believe your exam results were wrong, made in error or were otherwise inadequate.

Yes possibly, read more about it in Recognition of qualifications.

Click here for more information.  

 You can ask them to contact us at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au with your full name, date of birth and certificate number. We will provide your details to a mine operator, otherwise they will need to submit a consent form signed by you to release your information.

You can update your email in the Update contact details form on the Mining Workers Portal. Or if you are unable to access the Mining Workers Portal to fill in the form, please contact us at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au

On the Mining Workers Portal, click on the forms menu (clipboard icon) on the top left-hand side, then click on Register to sit an exam and fill in the form.

Please check the status of your application on the Mining Workers Portal. Below is a table explaining the status of your application.

Please contact us at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au

We are unable to renew expired practising certificate. Please apply for a new practising certificate via the Mining Workers Portal.

No, you can renew the practising certificate which expires next and it will list all with the statutory functions listed that you have attained.