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Guidance

Bats: earned recognition class licence for mitigation work on bat roosts

Find out how and when you can apply to be an accredited consultant for bat roost mitigation work, how to register sites, and if you need to pay.

Updates to this page

From:
Natural England
Published:
8 May 2024
Last updated:
30 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Added more information about the pre-application information pack. Applicants who complete the expression of interest process and meet the initial eligibility checks will be sent a pre-application information pack. The current version of the pack is ‘Bat ER Pre Application Information v8 (September 2026)’.

  2. Added application updates and amended accreditation level costs. You can now apply for Bat ER Accreditation Levels 1, 2 and 2 advanced.  Applications to upgrade to Accreditation Level 3 will open in 2027.

  3. Bat earned recognition Accreditation Level 1 is now open.

  4. Updated the information about licence costs.

  5. Applications for the December 2024 round of bat ‘earned recognition’ (Bat ER) accreditation assessments have now closed.

  6. Added that the next round of bat ‘earned recognition’ (Bat ER) accreditation assessments will open for applications at 9am on Monday 2 December 2024 and will close at 5:30pm on Friday 6 December 2024 and how to get an application form and guidance documents. Added sifting criteria for applications.

  7. Added that the next round of bat ‘earned recognition’ accreditation assessments will open later this year. The application dates will be announced on this page. Added a link for signing up to the Wildlife Licensing Newsletter for regular announcements.

  8. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Guide to earning bat recognition class licence for mitigation work on bat roosts

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Details

The bat earned recognition (Bat ER) class licence allows bat ecologists to carry out bat roost mitigation work.  

You can now apply for Bat ER Accreditation Levels 1 and 2. 

You can also apply for the optional horseshoe and advanced annexes for Accreditation Level 2.

Applications to upgrade to Accreditation Level 3 will open in 2027.

You must hold the previous level of accreditation to be able to apply for the next level.

You can follow this page for updates on future application dates.

Application process

You can express your interest in applying for Bat ER by using the below form. This is not the accreditation application form, but it will check your eligibility to apply.

If you’re eligible, we’ll send you the application form and a Bat ER pre-application information pack (last updated September 2026), with additional guidance on eligibility, evidence requirements, and the assessment process.

There’s a charge for Bat ER accreditation.

Start now

Use the guide to find out:

  • how the bat earned recognition class licence works
  • the criteria you must meet to apply
  • what records and evidence you should keep to support your application
  • when and how you can apply
  • how much it will cost
  • how to register a site
  • if you’ll need to pay to register a site

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