Licensed work: at least every 2 years
Your first medical examination must take place no more than 2 years before you start licensed asbestos work. After that, periodic examinations are required at intervals of no more than 2 years while you continue that work. The HSE-appointed doctor can use their discretion to shorten this interval if they think it's appropriate for your circumstances.
Non-licensed (NNLW) work: at least every 3 years
For notifiable non-licensed work, examinations must be repeated at intervals of no more than 3 years, for as long as you continue that work.
Neither interval is a maximum you can push
Both are the longest permitted gap between examinations, not a target to aim for. Booking your renewal before the interval is up avoids any gap in compliance.
Self-employed workers
CAR 2012 applies to self-employed people in the same way as to employers and employees, so the same 2-year or 3-year cycle applies directly to you, depending on whether your work is licensed or NNLW. See our page for self-employed workers for more detail.