How often must a Pennsylvania elevator be tested?

Category 1 testing is annual, Category 3 every three years and Category 5 every five years, at the intervals in Table N-1 of ASME A17.1-2016. From December 20, 2026 the Category 1 test is a stand-alone annual requirement rather than one performed alongside the Category 3 and Category 5 tests.

Who must witness elevator testing in Pennsylvania?

A construction code official certified as a UCC Elevator Inspector must witness all periodic testing. Ropeway and aerial lift dynamic testing requires a UCC Passenger Ropeway Inspector instead, because an elevator inspector is not certified for those devices.

How fast must a failed elevator inspection be reported in Pennsylvania?

Within one business day, by electronic communication to the Department of Labor and Industry. General periodic inspection results are due within 15 days.

How long is a Pennsylvania elevator permit valid?

Two years from December 20, 2026, reduced from five years under the previous regulations.

When is an acceptance inspection required in Pennsylvania?

Before a new elevator or lifting device, or one under repair, alteration or modification, is put into service. Alteration and modification were added by the rulemaking effective December 20, 2026.

Pennsylvania Elevator Compliance Calendar

December 20, 2026 changes this calendar From that date, Category 1 testing becomes a stand-alone annual requirement rather than something performed alongside the 3-year and 5-year tests, and all testing must be witnessed by a construction code official certified as a UCC Elevator Inspector. Read the full breakdown of what changes.

Periodic Testing Intervals

Periodic testing follows ASME A17.1-2016 at the intervals in Table N-1. A construction code official must witness all of the testing.

Test	Interval	From Dec 20, 2026	Witness required
Category 1	Annual	Stand-alone annual test, no longer bundled with Category 3 or 5	Construction code official certified as a UCC Elevator Inspector
Category 3	Every 3 years	Unchanged interval	Construction code official certified as a UCC Elevator Inspector
Category 5	Every 5 years	Unchanged interval	Construction code official certified as a UCC Elevator Inspector

Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts

Devices under ASME A18.1-2017 have their own intervals written into 34 Pa. Code § 405.8(c).

Test	Interval	Witness required
Section 10.3.1	Every 1 year	UCC Elevator Inspector
Section 10.3.2	Every 3 years	UCC Elevator Inspector
Section 10.3.3	Every 5 years	UCC Elevator Inspector

Ropeways, Aerial Lifts and Tows

Periodic dynamic testing under ANSI B77.1-2022 requires a different certification. A Department construction code official certified as a UCC Passenger Ropeway Inspector must witness the testing and submit a report within 15 days. An elevator inspector is not qualified to witness these.

Reporting Deadlines

Event	Deadline	How
Periodic inspection results	Within 15 days of inspection	Submitted to the Department in an acceptable format, with the official's certification number and signature
Failed periodic inspection	Within 1 business day	Electronic communication to the Department
Periodic dynamic test report (ropeways)	Within 15 days of witnessing	Submitted by the certified Passenger Ropeway Inspector
Accident report	On fatal injury or the necessity for professional medical care	Submitted by the owner or authorized agent
Appeal, variance or extension request	Within 30 days of the decision	Petition to the Elevator Safety Board; filing suspends enforcement of a correction order

Permits and Inspections

Permit validity: 2 years from December 20, 2026, reduced from 5 years.
Acceptance inspection: required before a new device, or a device under repair, alteration or modification, is put into service.
Certificate of operation: a device may not be operated without a current certificate, issued for the designated classification of the device.
Return to service: after a major repair, replacement or alteration, the device may not return to service until the Department inspects and passes it.

Grandfathering, stated plainly Permits and applications submitted before December 20, 2026 remain valid, and devices permitted under prior standards continue under those standards. That protects your construction and design standard. It does not exempt you from the testing, witnessing and reporting schedule above, which attaches to operating the device.

Standards in Force From December 20, 2026

Standard	Covers	Edition
ASME A17.1	Elevators and lifting devices	2016
ASME A18.1	Platform lifts and stairway chairlifts	2017
ASME B20.1	Reciprocating conveyors	2018
ASME A90.1	Belt man-lifts	2015
ANSI B77.1	Ropeways, aerial lifts, surface lifts, tows	2022
ASME A17.8	Wind turbine tower elevators	2016

Fees

Fees for witnessing periodic testing, witnessing periodic dynamic testing, certificates of operation and variance requests are updated annually and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the Department of Labor and Industry website. Check the current schedule rather than last year's figure when budgeting.

Annual Checklist for a Pennsylvania Building

Confirm every device has a current certificate of operation.
Record the date of the last Category 1, 3 and 5 test for each device.
Schedule the Category 1 test for every device, every year, including years with no larger test due.
Confirm in writing that whoever witnesses holds UCC Elevator Inspector certification.
Include platform lifts and stairway chairlifts. They are on their own annual schedule.
Check open permits against the two-year validity window.
Keep inspection reports, which must carry the official's certification number and signature.

This calendar summarizes 34 Pa. Code Chapter 405 and the final-form rulemaking published at 56 Pa.B. 3611 (June 20, 2026) for planning purposes. It is not legal advice. Confirm any detail that drives a decision against the Bulletin text or with the Department of Labor and Industry.