--- title: "Approving, Editing and Deferring FM Schedules" slug: "approving-editing-and-deferring-fma-schedules" updated: 2026-10-27T23:11:52Z published: 2026-10-27T23:11:52Z canonical: "ims-handbook.cenosco.com/approving-editing-and-deferring-fma-schedules" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ims-handbook.cenosco.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Approving, Editing and Deferring FM Schedules When you are done [defining your FM CAIR](/v414/docs/defining-fma-cairs) or [FM Inspection Schedules](/v414/docs/defining-fma-inspection-schedules), the Schedule will still have a Draft status and will be inactive. The SAP status on the Schedule will also be empty until Final Approval. In order to set the [NID](/v414/docs/next-inspection-date-nid-horserace), the Inspection Schedule must be **Final Approved**. When the Schedule is Final Approved, the work can take place (at the NID). When the inspection is done, the Schedule should be credited in the [ECH](/v414/docs/fma-ech). This process is depicted below. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201-1HW0A6HZ.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T14%3A46%3A55Z&se=2026-10-28T15%3A46%3A55Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=CJH6Op1q6WlK1N5rGY2gitj%2FWC5zJIZbOjXaUFmtVIE%3D)The Schedule process with regards to Approval status.It is, however, possible to [Edit](/v414/docs/approving-editing-and-deferring-fma-schedules#editing-schedules) or [Defer (extend)](/v414/docs/approving-editing-and-deferring-fma-schedules#deferring-schedules) an Approved Schedule. The Schedule will then go back into Draft and will need to be re-Approved. ## Approving Schedules To Approve a Schedule: - Click **Approve** to Approve the Schedule.![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(492).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T14%3A46%3A55Z&se=2026-10-28T15%3A46%3A55Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=CJH6Op1q6WlK1N5rGY2gitj%2FWC5zJIZbOjXaUFmtVIE%3D)Click on **Approve** to Approve the Schedule.Take Note - You need to have [Approval Privileges](/v414/docs/approval-levels) to have the Approve button available. If you don't, contact your CSA. - For some sites there are also [multiple Approval levels](/v414/docs/approving-inspection-schedules#writer-approved-level-1-approved) - see [Approval Work Process](/v414/docs/approval-work-process). - For more information see [Approving Inspection & CAIR Schedules](/v414/docs/approving-inspection-schedules) ### Inspection Function The Inspection Function box (see below) will show the [Approval Status](/v414/docs/approvals-introduction#approval-statuses) ("Draft", "Writer Approved", "Level 1 Approved", "Final Approved") as well as the [Event](/v414/docs/inspection-events-approvals) ("None", "Schd Edit/New Insp", "Recalculation", "Deferral", and "Insp Completed"). ![Graphical user interface, text, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(493).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T14%3A46%3A55Z&se=2026-10-28T15%3A46%3A55Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=CJH6Op1q6WlK1N5rGY2gitj%2FWC5zJIZbOjXaUFmtVIE%3D)The Inspection Function information box.  ## Editing Schedules It is possible to Edit a Final Approved Schedule. When the Schedule itself is being edited, a new [Event](/v414/docs/inspection-events-approvals) with the function ‘Schedule Edit / ‘New Inspection’ will be created. To Edit a Schedule: - Click **Edit**.![Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(494).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T14%3A46%3A55Z&se=2026-10-28T15%3A46%3A55Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=CJH6Op1q6WlK1N5rGY2gitj%2FWC5zJIZbOjXaUFmtVIE%3D)Click **Edit**, to make changes to the Approved Schedule. - A copy of the existing data is created and will show as Pending next to the In Effect Schedule. - Edit the new copy and click **Save**. - The Schedule will now be back in Draft. - **Approve** the Schedule again. Note: A popup will ask you to give a reason for the Edit. ## The applied changes will update the existing Schedule (e.g., NID, Sched Driver, Resp Discipline, Sched Category). ## Deferring Schedules When a Schedule is Final Approved, but still [Uncredited](/v414/docs/fma-ech), it can be Deferred (extended) when the inspection date of a Schedule needs to be changed, but not the inspection interval. A new [Event](/v1/docs/inspection-events-approvals) ("Deferral") will be created. Deferrals are only mandatory for Schedules of [Category 1](/v414/docs/creating-fma-schedules-cair-inspections#category-1). For [Category 2](/v414/docs/creating-fma-schedules-cair-inspections#category-2) Schedules it is optional since for these Schedules it is possible to change the User Date during the normal [Edit](/v414/docs/approving-editing-and-deferring-fma-schedules#editing-schedules). Take NoteIf activated for your site, a [Deferral Process for Schedules](/v414/docs/deferring-schedules) will be followed. The below does not apply in this case. --- Otherwise, if the process is not activated for your site, the below applies: --- During the process to **DEFER** a Schedule, you have the option to edit and delete/reverse the deferral process by [disapprove](/v414/docs/approval-work-process#disapproving-an-event) the pending Schedule. When a Schedule is extended and Approved, only the Next Inspection Date will change; it is not possible to change other details or inspection scope. ImportantThe **DEFER** option should only be used if deferral of the Equipment’s original Schedule has been Approved following your site's local deferral procedure. To defer (extend) a Schedule: - Click **DEFER**. Note: The DEFER will be shown in yellow for [Category 1](/v414/docs/creating-fma-schedules-cair-inspections#category-1) Schedules since it is mandatory. For [Category 2](/v414/docs/creating-fma-schedules-cair-inspections#category-2) and [3](/v414/docs/creating-fma-schedules-cair-inspections#category-3) Schedules, it will be shown in blue, indicating that this is optional. ![Graphical user interface, text, application, email Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(495).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T14%3A46%3A55Z&se=2026-10-28T15%3A46%3A55Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=CJH6Op1q6WlK1N5rGY2gitj%2FWC5zJIZbOjXaUFmtVIE%3D)Click DEFER to defer (extend) the NID of Approved Schedule.  - A popup will open. - Enter the Deferral data, e.g., Deferral NID, etc. - Click **Save**. - The Deferral data will show in the new Draft. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201%20-%20approved(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T14%3A46%3A55Z&se=2026-10-28T15%3A46%3A55Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=CJH6Op1q6WlK1N5rGY2gitj%2FWC5zJIZbOjXaUFmtVIE%3D)The Deferral data will show in the Draft copy. This must still be Approved.  - **Approve** the Schedule again. Note: A popup will ask you to give a reason for the Edit. The NID will then become the Deferral NID. --- For more information about the Approval process see [Approvals - Overview](/v414/docs/approvals-introduction), [Approving Inspection Schedules](/v1/docs/approving-inspection-schedules), [Approval Privileges](/v414/docs/approval-levels), and [Approval Work Process](/v414/docs/approval-work-process).