Contents
The short answer
No law says an electrician must be registered, but in England and Wales some home jobs must be done by a registered electrician or approved by building control. Check the electrician with their scheme, ask which certificate you will get, and keep it. It is your proof the work is safe.
Does an electrician have to be registered?
Not in general. The electrical trade has no single official regulator. Joining a scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or Stroma is voluntary.
But there is one big exception. In England and Wales, some electrical work in homes is called notifiable. For that work, you must use an electrician who belongs to a government-approved scheme, or tell your local building control before the work starts. The rule is part of the Building Regulations, known as Part P.
Which jobs are notifiable?
Examples of notifiable work include adding a new circuit and fitting a new consumer unit, which is the fuse box. Smaller jobs, such as swapping a socket or a light fitting for the same kind, are usually not notifiable.
If you are not sure, ask the electrician or your local building control team before you start. It is much easier to ask first than to sort it out later.
How do I check an electrician is registered?
Ask which scheme they belong to and what their registration number is. Then check it yourself on the scheme's own website. Do not rely on a logo on a van or a flyer.
You can also search the Electrical Competent Person Register, which is run for the government and lists registered installers.
Look closely at what they are registered for. Some people are registered for only some types of work. Make sure it covers the job you need.
Registered for what, exactly?
Scheme membership can be limited. Ask whether the electrician is registered to certify the type of work you want, and check that on the scheme's website.
Why does registration matter?
A registered electrician can certify their own notifiable work. Under the government scheme, you should receive a compliance certificate within 8 weeks of the work being finished. Schemes also have a complaints process, and many offer a warranty backed by insurance.
If you use someone who is not registered for notifiable work, you must apply to building control yourself and pay a fee for an inspection. Work that was never notified can cause trouble when you sell or make an insurance claim.
Which certificate should I get?
The paperwork is what a buyer's solicitor, a landlord inspection or an insurer will ask for later. Keep it safe.
Different jobs lead to different documents:
- An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for a new installation, a rewire or a new consumer unit.
- A Minor Works Certificate for smaller changes such as adding a socket. It is not used when a new circuit is added.
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) when someone inspects an existing installation and reports on its safety.
- A Building Regulations compliance certificate for notifiable work, usually sent by the scheme.
What qualifications and insurance should I look for?
Electrical work in homes should follow the national wiring standard, BS 7671. A good electrician will know it well and will be happy to say so.
For training, look for a recognised qualification such as an NVQ Level 3 in electrical installation. Ask for proof of public liability insurance too. It protects you if something is damaged during the job.
How do I compare quotes?
Write down what you want done before you ask anyone. Then get quotes from up to three electricians for the same job, so you can compare them fairly.
- Is the price fixed, or an estimate that could rise?
- Is the work notifiable, and who will notify it?
- Which certificate will I get when the job is done?
- Does the price include making good, such as filling cut walls?
- Do you have public liability insurance?
- How long will the power be off, and when?
What do landlords need to know?
In England, a privately rented home needs its electrical installation inspected at least every five years. The landlord must give tenants a copy of the report, and must give it to the council if asked. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own versions of this rule.
If you are a landlord, say clearly that you need an EICR. Inspecting and testing is a different skill from installing, so ask whether the person is qualified to do it.
How are the rules different in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Part P covers England and Wales only. Scotland uses its own building standards system, and some work needs a building warrant. SELECT is the long-standing trade body there. Northern Ireland has its own building regulations for electrical safety.
Outside England and Wales, ask the electrician which rules apply to your job and who will handle any approval.
What are the warning signs?
- No registration number, or a number that does not check out.
- A quote with no detail, or no mention of a certificate.
- A price that is far lower than the rest.
- Pressure to start today or to pay in cash.
- Someone who tells you building control does not matter.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I do my own electrical work?
- Some small jobs are fine, but notifiable work in England and Wales must be done by a registered electrician or approved by building control. If you are unsure, ask your local building control team first.
- What is a competent person scheme?
- It is a government-approved scheme. Registered members are checked and can certify that their own work meets the Building Regulations. NICEIC, NAPIT and Stroma are examples.
- How often should an electrical installation be inspected?
- It depends on the property. For a privately rented home in England it must be at least every five years. For your own home, the electrician who does an EICR will suggest when to check again.
- Does Part P apply in Scotland?
- No. Part P covers England and Wales. Scotland has its own building standards system, and Northern Ireland has its own building regulations.
- What is the difference between an EIC and an EICR?
- An EIC is issued for new work, such as a rewire or a new consumer unit. An EICR is a report on the condition of an existing installation after it has been inspected and tested.
- What if my electrician is not registered?
- For notifiable work you must apply to building control and pay for an inspection. Do this before the work starts, because it is harder to prove later that the work was done safely.
Next step
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About this guide
Written and maintained by the LocalListed editorial team. It describes UK regulation and consumer protections in general terms and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and change over time: always check the position with the named regulator before relying on it.
