diff --git a/conftest.py b/conftest.py
index 51aaa4d4..2d2cd835 100644
--- a/conftest.py
+++ b/conftest.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 import functools
 import logging
 import os
-import sys
 from copy import deepcopy
 from pathlib import Path
 
@@ -22,7 +21,6 @@
 import pytest
 from packaging.version import Version
 
-from imas.backends.imas_core.imas_interface import has_imas as _has_imas
 from imas.backends.imas_core.imas_interface import ll_interface, lowlevel
 from imas.dd_zip import dd_etree, dd_xml_versions, latest_dd_version
 from imas.ids_defs import (
@@ -39,17 +37,7 @@
 
 os.environ["IMAS_AL_DISABLE_VALIDATE"] = "1"
 
-
-try:
-    import imas  # noqa
-except ImportError:
-
-    class SkipOnIMASAccess:
-        def __getattr__(self, attr):
-            pytest.skip("This test requires the `imas` HLI, which is not available.")
-
-    # Any test that tries to access an attribute from the `imas` package will be skipped
-    sys.modules["imas"] = SkipOnIMASAccess()
+import imas  # noqa
 
 
 def pytest_addoption(parser):
@@ -78,7 +66,6 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
     if "not available" in str(iex.message):
         _BACKENDS.pop("mdsplus")
 
-
 try:
     import pytest_xdist
 except ImportError:
@@ -91,28 +78,11 @@ def worker_id():
 @pytest.fixture(params=_BACKENDS)
 def backend(pytestconfig: pytest.Config, request: pytest.FixtureRequest):
     backends_provided = any(map(pytestconfig.getoption, _BACKENDS))
-    if not _has_imas:
-        if backends_provided:
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "Explicit backends are provided, but IMAS is not available."
-            )
-        pytest.skip("No IMAS available, skip tests using a backend")
     if backends_provided and not pytestconfig.getoption(request.param):
         pytest.skip(f"Tests for {request.param} backend are skipped.")
     return _BACKENDS[request.param]
 
 
-@pytest.fixture()
-def has_imas():
-    return _has_imas
-
-
-@pytest.fixture()
-def requires_imas():
-    if not _has_imas:
-        pytest.skip("No IMAS available")
-
-
 def pytest_generate_tests(metafunc):
     if "ids_name" in metafunc.fixturenames:
         if metafunc.config.getoption("ids"):
@@ -214,7 +184,7 @@ def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def log_lowlevel_calls(monkeypatch, requires_imas):
+def log_lowlevel_calls(monkeypatch):
     """Debugging fixture to log calls to the imas lowlevel module."""
     for al_function in dir(lowlevel):
         if al_function.startswith("ual_") or al_function.startswith("al"):
diff --git a/imas/backends/imas_core/db_entry_al.py b/imas/backends/imas_core/db_entry_al.py
index dad5019b..b9d118dd 100644
--- a/imas/backends/imas_core/db_entry_al.py
+++ b/imas/backends/imas_core/db_entry_al.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 
 from .al_context import ALContext, LazyALContext
 from .db_entry_helpers import delete_children, get_children, put_children
-from .imas_interface import LLInterfaceError, has_imas, ll_interface
+from .imas_interface import LLInterfaceError, ll_interface
 from .mdsplus_model import mdsplus_model_dir
 from .uda_support import extract_idsdef, get_dd_version_from_idsdef_xml
 
@@ -52,14 +52,6 @@
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def require_imas_available():
-    if not has_imas:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "The IMAS Core library is not available. Please install 'imas_core', "
-            "or load a supported IMAS module if you use an HPC environment."
-        )
-
-
 class ALDBEntryImpl(DBEntryImpl):
     """DBEntry implementation using imas_core as a backend."""
 
@@ -86,7 +78,6 @@ def __init__(self, uri: str, mode: int, factory: IDSFactory):
 
     @classmethod
     def from_uri(cls, uri: str, mode: str, factory: IDSFactory) -> "ALDBEntryImpl":
-        require_imas_available()
         if mode not in _OPEN_MODES:
             modes = list(_OPEN_MODES)
             raise ValueError(f"Unknown mode {mode!r}, was expecting any of {modes}")
@@ -105,8 +96,6 @@ def from_pulse_run(
         options: Any,
         factory: IDSFactory,
     ) -> "ALDBEntryImpl":
-        # Raise an error if imas is not available
-        require_imas_available()
 
         # Set defaults
         user_name = user_name or getpass.getuser()
diff --git a/imas/backends/imas_core/imas_interface.py b/imas/backends/imas_core/imas_interface.py
index 8fa3963b..c9d69a02 100644
--- a/imas/backends/imas_core/imas_interface.py
+++ b/imas/backends/imas_core/imas_interface.py
@@ -12,30 +12,17 @@
 
 from packaging.version import Version
 
-logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+# Import the Access Layer module
+# First try to import imas_core, which is available since AL 5.2
+from imas_core import _al_lowlevel as lowlevel
+from imas_core import imasdef  # noqa: F401
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-# Import the Access Layer module
-has_imas = True
-try:
-    # First try to import imas_core, which is available since AL 5.2
-    from imas_core import _al_lowlevel as lowlevel
-    from imas_core import imasdef
-
-    # Enable throwing exceptions from the _al_lowlevel interface
-    enable_exceptions = getattr(lowlevel, "imas_core_config_enable_exceptions", None)
-    if enable_exceptions:
-        enable_exceptions()
-
-except ImportError as exc:
-    imas = None
-    has_imas = False
-    imasdef = None
-    lowlevel = None
-    logger.warning(
-        "Could not import 'imas_core': %s. Some functionality is not available.",
-        exc,
-    )
+# Enable throwing exceptions from the _al_lowlevel interface
+enable_exceptions = getattr(lowlevel, "imas_core_config_enable_exceptions", None)
+if enable_exceptions:
+    enable_exceptions()
 
 
 class LLInterfaceError(RuntimeError):
diff --git a/imas/exception.py b/imas/exception.py
index 737680c2..737284d8 100644
--- a/imas/exception.py
+++ b/imas/exception.py
@@ -20,10 +20,8 @@
 
 
 # Expose ALException, which may be thrown by the lowlevel
-if _imas_interface.has_imas:
-    ALException = _imas_interface.lowlevel.ALException
-else:
-    ALException = None
+
+ALException = _imas_interface.lowlevel.ALException
 
 
 class IDSNameError(ValueError):
diff --git a/imas/ids_defs.py b/imas/ids_defs.py
index af4ed45c..3ac3c6be 100644
--- a/imas/ids_defs.py
+++ b/imas/ids_defs.py
@@ -86,86 +86,46 @@
     Identifier for the default serialization protocol.
 """
 
-import functools
 import logging
 
-from imas.backends.imas_core.imas_interface import has_imas, imasdef
+from imas.backends.imas_core.imas_interface import imasdef
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-if has_imas:
-    ASCII_BACKEND = imasdef.ASCII_BACKEND
-    CHAR_DATA = imasdef.CHAR_DATA
-    CLOSE_PULSE = imasdef.CLOSE_PULSE
-    CLOSEST_INTERP = imasdef.CLOSEST_INTERP
-    CREATE_PULSE = imasdef.CREATE_PULSE
-    DOUBLE_DATA = imasdef.DOUBLE_DATA
-    COMPLEX_DATA = imasdef.COMPLEX_DATA
-    EMPTY_COMPLEX = imasdef.EMPTY_COMPLEX
-    EMPTY_FLOAT = imasdef.EMPTY_FLOAT
-    EMPTY_INT = imasdef.EMPTY_INT
-    ERASE_PULSE = imasdef.ERASE_PULSE
-    FORCE_CREATE_PULSE = imasdef.FORCE_CREATE_PULSE
-    FORCE_OPEN_PULSE = imasdef.FORCE_OPEN_PULSE
-    HDF5_BACKEND = imasdef.HDF5_BACKEND
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_HETEROGENEOUS = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_HETEROGENEOUS
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_HOMOGENEOUS = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_HOMOGENEOUS
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_INDEPENDENT = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_INDEPENDENT
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_UNKNOWN = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_UNKNOWN
-    IDS_TIME_MODES = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODES
-    INTEGER_DATA = imasdef.INTEGER_DATA
-    LINEAR_INTERP = imasdef.LINEAR_INTERP
-    MDSPLUS_BACKEND = imasdef.MDSPLUS_BACKEND
-    MEMORY_BACKEND = imasdef.MEMORY_BACKEND
-    NODE_TYPE_STRUCTURE = imasdef.NODE_TYPE_STRUCTURE
-    OPEN_PULSE = imasdef.OPEN_PULSE
-    PREVIOUS_INTERP = imasdef.PREVIOUS_INTERP
-    READ_OP = imasdef.READ_OP
-    UDA_BACKEND = imasdef.UDA_BACKEND
-    UNDEFINED_INTERP = imasdef.UNDEFINED_INTERP
-    UNDEFINED_TIME = imasdef.UNDEFINED_TIME
-    WRITE_OP = imasdef.WRITE_OP
-    ASCII_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = getattr(imasdef, "ASCII_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL", 60)
-    FLEXBUFFERS_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = getattr(
-        imasdef, "FLEXBUFFERS_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL", None
-    )
-    DEFAULT_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = getattr(imasdef, "DEFAULT_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL", 60)
-
-else:
-    # Preset some constants which are used elsewhere
-    # this is a bit ugly, perhaps reuse the list of imports from above?
-    # it seems no problem to use None, since the use of the values should not
-    # be allowed, they are only used in operations which use the backend,
-    # which we (should) gate
-    ASCII_BACKEND = CHAR_DATA = CLOSE_PULSE = CLOSEST_INTERP = DOUBLE_DATA = None
-    FORCE_OPEN_PULSE = CREATE_PULSE = ERASE_PULSE = None
-    COMPLEX_DATA = FORCE_CREATE_PULSE = HDF5_BACKEND = None
-    INTEGER_DATA = LINEAR_INTERP = MDSPLUS_BACKEND = MEMORY_BACKEND = None
-    NODE_TYPE_STRUCTURE = OPEN_PULSE = PREVIOUS_INTERP = READ_OP = None
-    UDA_BACKEND = UNDEFINED_INTERP = UNDEFINED_TIME = WRITE_OP = None
-    # These constants are also useful when not working with the AL
-    EMPTY_FLOAT = -9e40
-    EMPTY_INT = -999_999_999
-    EMPTY_COMPLEX = complex(EMPTY_FLOAT, EMPTY_FLOAT)
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_UNKNOWN = EMPTY_INT
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_HETEROGENEOUS = 0
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_HOMOGENEOUS = 1
-    IDS_TIME_MODE_INDEPENDENT = 2
-    IDS_TIME_MODES = [0, 1, 2]
-    ASCII_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = 60
-    FLEXBUFFERS_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = None
-    DEFAULT_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = 60
-
-
-def needs_imas(func):
-    if has_imas:
-        return func
-
-    @functools.wraps(func)
-    def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Function {func.__name__} requires IMAS, but IMAS is not available."
-        )
-
-    return wrapper
+ASCII_BACKEND = imasdef.ASCII_BACKEND
+CHAR_DATA = imasdef.CHAR_DATA
+CLOSE_PULSE = imasdef.CLOSE_PULSE
+CLOSEST_INTERP = imasdef.CLOSEST_INTERP
+CREATE_PULSE = imasdef.CREATE_PULSE
+DOUBLE_DATA = imasdef.DOUBLE_DATA
+COMPLEX_DATA = imasdef.COMPLEX_DATA
+EMPTY_COMPLEX = imasdef.EMPTY_COMPLEX
+EMPTY_FLOAT = imasdef.EMPTY_FLOAT
+EMPTY_INT = imasdef.EMPTY_INT
+ERASE_PULSE = imasdef.ERASE_PULSE
+FORCE_CREATE_PULSE = imasdef.FORCE_CREATE_PULSE
+FORCE_OPEN_PULSE = imasdef.FORCE_OPEN_PULSE
+HDF5_BACKEND = imasdef.HDF5_BACKEND
+IDS_TIME_MODE_HETEROGENEOUS = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_HETEROGENEOUS
+IDS_TIME_MODE_HOMOGENEOUS = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_HOMOGENEOUS
+IDS_TIME_MODE_INDEPENDENT = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_INDEPENDENT
+IDS_TIME_MODE_UNKNOWN = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODE_UNKNOWN
+IDS_TIME_MODES = imasdef.IDS_TIME_MODES
+INTEGER_DATA = imasdef.INTEGER_DATA
+LINEAR_INTERP = imasdef.LINEAR_INTERP
+MDSPLUS_BACKEND = imasdef.MDSPLUS_BACKEND
+MEMORY_BACKEND = imasdef.MEMORY_BACKEND
+NODE_TYPE_STRUCTURE = imasdef.NODE_TYPE_STRUCTURE
+OPEN_PULSE = imasdef.OPEN_PULSE
+PREVIOUS_INTERP = imasdef.PREVIOUS_INTERP
+READ_OP = imasdef.READ_OP
+UDA_BACKEND = imasdef.UDA_BACKEND
+UNDEFINED_INTERP = imasdef.UNDEFINED_INTERP
+UNDEFINED_TIME = imasdef.UNDEFINED_TIME
+WRITE_OP = imasdef.WRITE_OP
+ASCII_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = getattr(imasdef, "ASCII_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL", 60)
+FLEXBUFFERS_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = getattr(
+    imasdef, "FLEXBUFFERS_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL", None
+)
+DEFAULT_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL = getattr(imasdef, "DEFAULT_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL", 60)
diff --git a/imas/ids_toplevel.py b/imas/ids_toplevel.py
index 947bf72f..fcda5f0d 100644
--- a/imas/ids_toplevel.py
+++ b/imas/ids_toplevel.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
     IDS_TIME_MODE_INDEPENDENT,
     IDS_TIME_MODE_UNKNOWN,
     IDS_TIME_MODES,
-    needs_imas,
 )
 from imas.ids_metadata import IDSMetadata, IDSType, get_toplevel_metadata
 from imas.ids_structure import IDSStructure
@@ -99,7 +98,6 @@ def default_serializer_protocol():
         """Return the default serializer protocol."""
         return DEFAULT_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL
 
-    @needs_imas
     def serialize(self, protocol=None) -> bytes:
         """Serialize this IDS to a data buffer.
 
@@ -169,7 +167,6 @@ def serialize(self, protocol=None) -> bytes:
                 return bytes(buffer)
         raise ValueError(f"Unrecognized serialization protocol: {protocol}")
 
-    @needs_imas
     def deserialize(self, data: bytes) -> None:
         """Deserialize the data buffer into this IDS.
 
@@ -289,7 +286,6 @@ def _validate(self):
         for child in self.iter_nonempty_(accept_lazy=True):
             child._validate()
 
-    @needs_imas
     def get(self, occurrence: int = 0, db_entry: Optional["DBEntry"] = None) -> None:
         """Get data from AL backend storage format.
 
@@ -300,7 +296,6 @@ def get(self, occurrence: int = 0, db_entry: Optional["DBEntry"] = None) -> None
             raise NotImplementedError()
         db_entry.get(self.metadata.name, occurrence, destination=self)
 
-    @needs_imas
     def getSlice(
         self,
         time_requested: float,
@@ -323,7 +318,6 @@ def getSlice(
             destination=self,
         )
 
-    @needs_imas
     def putSlice(
         self, occurrence: int = 0, db_entry: Optional["DBEntry"] = None
     ) -> None:
@@ -336,7 +330,6 @@ def putSlice(
             raise NotImplementedError()
         db_entry.put_slice(self, occurrence)
 
-    @needs_imas
     def deleteData(
         self, occurrence: int = 0, db_entry: Optional["DBEntry"] = None
     ) -> None:
@@ -349,7 +342,6 @@ def deleteData(
             raise NotImplementedError()
         db_entry.delete_data(self, occurrence)
 
-    @needs_imas
     def put(self, occurrence: int = 0, db_entry: Optional["DBEntry"] = None) -> None:
         """Put this IDS to the backend.
 
diff --git a/imas/test/test_cli.py b/imas/test/test_cli.py
index 0f4b305e..130aa287 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_cli.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_cli.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def test_imas_version():
 
 
 @pytest.mark.cli
-def test_db_analysis(tmp_path, requires_imas):
+def test_db_analysis(tmp_path):
     # This only tests the happy flow, error handling is not tested
     db_path = tmp_path / "test_db_analysis"
     with DBEntry(f"imas:hdf5?path={db_path}", "w") as entry:
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def test_db_analysis(tmp_path, requires_imas):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.cli
-def test_db_analysis_csv(tmp_path, requires_imas):
+def test_db_analysis_csv(tmp_path):
     with DBEntry(f"imas:hdf5?path={tmp_path}/entry1", "w") as entry:
         eq = entry.factory.equilibrium()
         eq.ids_properties.homogeneous_time = 2
diff --git a/imas/test/test_dbentry.py b/imas/test/test_dbentry.py
index e13d82a4..f014eb9b 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_dbentry.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_dbentry.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 from imas.test.test_helpers import compare_children, open_dbentry
 
 
-def test_dbentry_contextmanager(requires_imas):
+def test_dbentry_contextmanager():
     entry = imas.DBEntry(imas.ids_defs.MEMORY_BACKEND, "test", 1, 1)
     entry.create()
     ids = entry.factory.core_profiles()
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def test_dbentry_contextmanager(requires_imas):
     assert entry2._dbe_impl is None
 
 
-def test_dbentry_contextmanager_uri(tmp_path, requires_imas):
+def test_dbentry_contextmanager_uri(tmp_path):
     entry = imas.DBEntry(f"imas:ascii?path={tmp_path}/testdb", "w")
     ids = entry.factory.core_profiles()
     ids.ids_properties.homogeneous_time = 0
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def test_dbentry_constructor():
     assert get_entry_attrs(entry) == (1, 2, 3, 4, None, 6)
 
 
-def test_ignore_unknown_dd_version(monkeypatch, worker_id, tmp_path, requires_imas):
+def test_ignore_unknown_dd_version(monkeypatch, worker_id, tmp_path):
     entry = open_dbentry(imas.ids_defs.MEMORY_BACKEND, "w", worker_id, tmp_path)
     ids = entry.factory.core_profiles()
     ids.ids_properties.homogeneous_time = 0
diff --git a/imas/test/test_exception.py b/imas/test/test_exception.py
index 37bebfce..c0b66230 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_exception.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_exception.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from imas.backends.imas_core.imas_interface import ll_interface
 
 
-def test_catch_al_exception(requires_imas):
+def test_catch_al_exception():
     # Do something which lets the lowlevel Cython interface throw an ALException
     # Ensure we can catch it:
     with pytest.raises(imas.exception.ALException):
diff --git a/imas/test/test_ids_ascii_data.py b/imas/test/test_ids_ascii_data.py
index d15fecf1..20ae8a66 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_ids_ascii_data.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_ids_ascii_data.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def test_data_exists():
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def test_data(requires_imas):
+def test_data():
     db_entry = imas.training.get_training_db_entry()
     yield db_entry
     db_entry.close()
diff --git a/imas/test/test_ids_toplevel.py b/imas/test/test_ids_toplevel.py
index a5855817..e55bac4d 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_ids_toplevel.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_ids_toplevel.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ def test_pretty_print(ids):
     assert pprint.pformat(ids) == "<IDSToplevel (IDS:gyrokinetics)>"
 
 
-def test_serialize_nondefault_dd_version(requires_imas):
+def test_serialize_nondefault_dd_version():
     ids = IDSFactory("3.31.0").core_profiles()
     fill_with_random_data(ids)
     data = ids.serialize()
diff --git a/imas/test/test_ids_validate.py b/imas/test/test_ids_validate.py
index 7970c7e2..c3f8f157 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_ids_validate.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_ids_validate.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def test_validate_coordinate_same_as():
         (None, True),
     ],
 )
-def test_validate_on_put(monkeypatch, env_value, should_validate, requires_imas):
+def test_validate_on_put(monkeypatch, env_value, should_validate):
     dbentry = DBEntry(MEMORY_BACKEND, "test", 1, 1)
     dbentry.create()
     ids = dbentry.factory.core_profiles()
diff --git a/imas/test/test_latest_dd_autofill.py b/imas/test/test_latest_dd_autofill.py
index 6d34b766..6b7fbb6a 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_latest_dd_autofill.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_latest_dd_autofill.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_latest_dd_autofill(ids_name, backend, worker_id, tmp_path):
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "serializer", [ASCII_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL, FLEXBUFFERS_SERIALIZER_PROTOCOL]
 )
-def test_latest_dd_autofill_serialize(serializer, ids_name, has_imas):
+def test_latest_dd_autofill_serialize(serializer, ids_name):
     """Serialize and then deserialize again all IDSToplevels"""
     if serializer is None:
         pytest.skip("Unsupported serializer")
@@ -64,8 +64,6 @@ def test_latest_dd_autofill_serialize(serializer, ids_name, has_imas):
     ids = factory.new(ids_name)
     fill_with_random_data(ids)
 
-    if not has_imas:
-        return  # rest of the test requires an IMAS install
     data = ids.serialize(serializer)
 
     ids2 = factory.new(ids_name)
diff --git a/imas/test/test_lazy_loading.py b/imas/test/test_lazy_loading.py
index 4a7c65ca..1dcd0bff 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_lazy_loading.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_lazy_loading.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def iterate(structure):
     dbentry.close()
 
 
-def test_lazy_load_close_dbentry(requires_imas):
+def test_lazy_load_close_dbentry():
     dbentry = DBEntry(MEMORY_BACKEND, "ITER", 1, 1)
     dbentry.create()
 
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def test_lazy_load_close_dbentry(requires_imas):
         print(lazy_ids.time)
 
 
-def test_lazy_load_readonly(requires_imas):
+def test_lazy_load_readonly():
     dbentry = DBEntry(MEMORY_BACKEND, "ITER", 1, 1)
     dbentry.create()
     run_lazy_load_readonly(dbentry)
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def run_lazy_load_readonly(dbentry):
     dbentry.close()
 
 
-def test_lazy_load_no_put(requires_imas):
+def test_lazy_load_no_put():
     dbentry = DBEntry(MEMORY_BACKEND, "ITER", 1, 1)
     dbentry.create()
 
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ def test_lazy_load_no_put(requires_imas):
     dbentry.close()
 
 
-def test_lazy_load_with_new_aos(requires_imas):
+def test_lazy_load_with_new_aos():
     dbentry = DBEntry(MEMORY_BACKEND, "ITER", 1, 1, dd_version="3.30.0")
     dbentry.create()
     et = dbentry.factory.edge_transport()
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ def test_lazy_load_with_new_aos_netcdf(tmp_path):
         assert len(lazy_et.model[0].ggd[0].electrons.particles.d_radial) == 0
 
 
-def test_lazy_load_with_new_structure(requires_imas):
+def test_lazy_load_with_new_structure():
     dbentry = DBEntry(MEMORY_BACKEND, "ITER", 1, 1, dd_version="3.30.0")
     dbentry.create()
 
diff --git a/imas/test/test_nbc_change.py b/imas/test/test_nbc_change.py
index 91ede0e3..b34949df 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_nbc_change.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_nbc_change.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def test_nbc_structure_to_aos(caplog):
     assert caplog.record_tuples[0][:2] == ("imas.ids_convert", logging.WARNING)
 
 
-def test_nbc_0d_to_1d(caplog, requires_imas):
+def test_nbc_0d_to_1d(caplog):
     # channel/filter_spectrometer/radiance_calibration in spectrometer visible changed
     # from FLT_0D to FLT_1D in DD 3.39.0
     ids = IDSFactory("3.32.0").spectrometer_visible()
diff --git a/imas/test/test_snippets.py b/imas/test/test_snippets.py
index 0574b185..8ed49a83 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_snippets.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_snippets.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 @pytest.mark.skip(reason="skipping hli test")
 @pytest.mark.filterwarnings("ignore:The input coordinates to pcolormesh:UserWarning")
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("snippet", course_snippets)
-def test_script_execution(snippet, monkeypatch, tmp_path, requires_imas):
+def test_script_execution(snippet, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
     # Prevent showing plots in a GUI
     monkeypatch.delenv("DISPLAY", raising=False)
diff --git a/imas/test/test_static_ids.py b/imas/test/test_static_ids.py
index 2c66811d..05133615 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_static_ids.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_static_ids.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def test_ids_valid_type():
     assert ids_types in ({IDSType.NONE}, {IDSType.CONSTANT, IDSType.DYNAMIC})
 
 
-def test_constant_ids(caplog, requires_imas):
+def test_constant_ids(caplog):
     ids = imas.IDSFactory().new("amns_data")
     if ids.metadata.type is IDSType.NONE:
         pytest.skip("IDS definition has no constant IDSs")
diff --git a/imas/test/test_to_xarray.py b/imas/test/test_to_xarray.py
index 1767a6d9..a5df6a1e 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_to_xarray.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_to_xarray.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def entry(requires_imas, monkeypatch):
+def entry(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setenv("IMAS_VERSION", "3.39.0")  # Use fixed DD version
     return imas.training.get_training_db_entry()
 
diff --git a/imas/test/test_util.py b/imas/test/test_util.py
index 15a2a8c0..1834af9c 100644
--- a/imas/test/test_util.py
+++ b/imas/test/test_util.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def test_inspect():
     inspect(cp.profiles_1d[1].grid.rho_tor_norm)  # IDSPrimitive
 
 
-def test_inspect_lazy(requires_imas):
+def test_inspect_lazy():
     with get_training_db_entry() as entry:
         cp = entry.get("core_profiles", lazy=True)
         inspect(cp)
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def test_idsdiffgen():
     assert diff[0] == ("profiles_1d/time", -1, 0)
 
 
-def test_idsdiff(requires_imas):
+def test_idsdiff():
     # Test the diff rendering for two sample IDSs
     with get_training_db_entry() as entry:
         imas.util.idsdiff(entry.get("core_profiles"), entry.get("equilibrium"))
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ def test_get_toplevel():
     assert get_toplevel(cp) is cp
 
 
-def test_is_lazy_loaded(requires_imas):
+def test_is_lazy_loaded():
     with get_training_db_entry() as entry:
         assert is_lazy_loaded(entry.get("core_profiles")) is False
         assert is_lazy_loaded(entry.get("core_profiles", lazy=True)) is True