There is no specific legislation that says you MUST have a retest at ANY time but it is strongly recommended in the Acops.
For that reason, many employers insist on it but others go for every 5 years and some don't even know about it !!
I was doing some training at a place in Stafford last week and one of their operators hadn't been tested since 1986!! After I explained they decided to get him done.
In a nutshell your colleague is definitely wrong but its a good idea
