If you're interested in becoming an electrician, you may be wondering: do electricians have to be registered? In short, no. There is no legal obligation for electricians to be registered but it is strongly recommended. This is for your own safety, and to ensure the quality of the electrical work done on your property.
What Does It Mean to Be a Registered Electrician?
Registered electricians are able to carry out domestic and commercial work, legally, under Part P. Once qualified and registered, this will be confirmed under one of the five possible competent person schemes to affirm that you are a desirable electrician, including:
- NICEIC (The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
- NAPIT (The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
- ECA (Electrical Contractor's Association)
- Stroma (The Stroma Certification)
For example, work such as a fuse board change, re-wiring, or the installation of new circuits all need to be done by a competent person under Part P!
What is a Part P Qualification?
A Part P qualification is an informal name for the Level 3 Certificate in the Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings - this is a regulation that ensures consistent standards in all electrical work.
The principle of Building Regulations ensures consistent standards are applied to the construction of buildings, including its electrical safety. The Part P of the Building Regulations specifically applies to fixed electrical installations in homes, including any outdoor spaces.
How Do I Become a Registered Electrician?
To become a registered electrician, you will need the following qualifications:
Level 3 Certificate in the Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings
- This certification demonstrates that you understand all building regulations that are applied to electrical installation work (in compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations).
LCL Awards Domestic Electrical Installer Certificate (DEI)
- This certification is designed for anyone who wishes to carry out electrical work within a domestic environment.
18th Edition Wiring Regulation
- This qualification will demonstrate that you have a good working knowledge of up-to-date wiring regulations.
Our Part P & 18th Edition Course and Qualification
In fact, we have a course for beginners that would like to install electrical circuits in a domestic environment.
Become a Registered Electrician Today
This combined 18th Edition and Part P training course is designed for budding tradespeople who wish to design, install, inspect, test and certify their own domestic electrical work.
Best of all, this course includes all of the qualifications needed to become a registered electrician.
How Do I Find a Registered Electrician?
If you're looking for a registered electrician to carry out work on your property, follow these tips to ensure that you receive safe and high-quality electrical service:
- Ask the right questions: don't be afraid to be a bit nosey. At the end of the day, these questions are for your own safety. You can easily check if the individual is qualified by asking them whether they're a member of one of the five Government-approved schemes. You could also contact the scheme directly if you'd like to check the individual's specific registration.
- Ask to see the paperwork: if the individual is unwilling to show you evidence of their qualification or registration, then you may want to reconsider hiring them for your electrical work.
- Ask to see their references: you don't have to take their word for it! Ask the individual to provide references to prove that they are good at the work you're hiring them to carry out.
Or, find a registered electrician using the Electrical Safety First charity's search below.
Find a Registered Electrician
Are you ready to take the next step in your career?
If you're considering training to become a registered electrician, get in touch and we'll be more than happy to advise and guide you. Take your future into your own hands, and we'll guide you through the rest.
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