Recertification:
General Requirements & Recommendations
NOCSAE is the only standards
organization that provides a standard for
equipment recertification.
It is our belief that having equipment recertified is the most effective way to make sure equipment performs as designed and intended over time.
If you have concerns or questions about a piece of equipment, we recommend and encourage you to send it to a reconditioner for inspection.
The reconditioning process involves complete disassembly and inspection of every helmet by a technician who has expertise to identify problems.
Related Pages
Full details in the recertification standards:
Recertification is not a requirement under NOCSAE standards, although it is strongly recommended.
Recertification Frequency
The interval for recertification can vary according to each manufacturer’s requirements. Even helmets that were not used in the previous season may need recertification. The frequency of recertification is determined by years elapsed (not by use) since the last recertification. If a certified helmet is not recertified within the interval specified by the manufacturer, the existing certification expires. An expired certification can be renewed by recertification.
When Recertification Is Not Permitted
Some manufacturers do not permit certain models to be recertified. NOCSAE standards require that equipment which is not permitted to be recertified must include a permanent label that specifies when the original certification to NOCSAE standards expires.
NOCSAE standards do require that if the manufacturer does not allow recertification it must specify a “useful life” of the new helmet certification.
Labeling
The date label related to these requirements is to be permanent so there is no confusion as to when the helmet’s certification has expired. (See 9.5 under “Labeling and Instructions” in the NOCSAE Standard seen here: ND001. The useful life for this certification cannot be more than five years.
Inside helmets there are dated recertification labels with the name of the NAERA recertifying facility and year of recertification. There is also an external label which clearly states: “This helmet has been recertified according to procedures established to meet the NOCSAE Standard.”
External Helmet Label
Helmets Manufactured Before January 2017
If your helmet was made before January 2017, use the manufacturer’s warranty requirements for reconditioning and care as guidance for continued use. Or, if you cannot find any information regarding the recertification or expiration date for your helmet, contacting the helmet manufacturer for information about its warranty is recommended.
NOCSAE recommends that helmets manufactured before January 2017 undergo annual recertification before use.
NAERA Requirements
NAERA will not recondition or recertify helmets 10 years old and older. This is not a NOCSAE requirement and NOCSAE does not participate in the management or administration of NAERA, nor does it direct or control NAERA policies.
Replacement Parts
NOCSAE standards are not brand specific. There is no requirement in the test standard or the performance standard for any specific brands, materials or designs. The standard does, however, require that “all components must function as originally certified” which requires replacement parts to be equivalent to the quality of the manufacturer’s original parts.