Price, validity, rules
Operating authorisation and CACES: two different documents
Enter the age of your CACES and of your medical certificate: the tool says whether the employer can authorise you to operate as things stand.
Independent site, not linked to the French Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie), the INRS, testing bodies or training centres.
Can my employer authorise me to operate?
Authorisation
Not as things stand
| CACES | valid (5 years) |
| Medical certificate | expired: occupational health visit |
| Issued by | the employer, in writing |
The CACES and the operating authorisation are often confused, but they come from different people and say different things. The CACES is a certificate issued by a certified testing body: it shows the holder passed the tests of a French Health Insurance recommendation, for one category of machines, for 5 years, or 10 years under R482. The operating authorisation is an employer’s document, required by article R4323-56 of the Labour Code to operate certain self-propelled mobile and lifting equipment. The employer issues it after an assessment that takes three things into account: a certificate of no medical contraindication less than 5 years old, a check of the operator’s knowledge and skills, which the CACES provides, and knowledge of the site’s premises and instructions. The CACES follows the employee from one employer to the next; the authorisation is only valid with the employer who signed it.
Until when is my CACES valid?
Expiry
2027
| Valid for | 5 years |
| Refresher | before the 2027 anniversary |
Exact date: same day and month as when it was obtained.
Questions, explanations and calculations by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method
CACES and authorisation side by side
| CACES | Operating authorisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | A certified testing body | The employer |
| Basis | Tests of a French Health Insurance recommendation | Labour Code article R4323-56 |
| Duration | 5 years, 10 years under R482 | As long as its basis is valid |
| Follows the employee | Yes, from one employer to the next | No, specific to the employer |
| Compulsory | No, but the reference method | Yes, for the machines concerned |
The three parts of the assessment
- The medical certificate: since 1 October 2025, a certificate of no medical contraindication, issued by the occupational health service and valid for 5 years.
- Knowledge and skills: the CACES is the usual proof, under article R4323-55 on operator training.
- Knowledge of the site: traffic plan, no-go areas, instructions, the machines actually used.
What the theory test takes from this
The role of the operating authorisation is part of the general knowledge assessed in every recommendation: one or two questions in the mock exam cover it. The other parties, labour inspectorate, occupational health service, regional health insurance fund, are covered on the safety and risks page.