Electrician Qualifications Explained

Part P of the Building Regulations states that all electrical installation work in a domestic dwelling must conform to current Wiring Regulations and can only be undertaken by a Competent Person.

As a result, any such works that fall under the scope of Part P must be notified to Local Building Control. This usually takes place via the installer’s Competent Persons Scheme Provider.

In addition to NVQ Level 3 and as a prerequisite for applying for an ECS Gold Card, you should complete an AM2 assessment.

The AM2 is an independent assessment of skills and knowledge. The test is undertaken at an independent AM2 centre. It will underpin the whole training and assessment process and is usually the final step before applying for an ECS Gold Card.

Following the introduction of Part P Building Regulations, Competent Persons Schemes were set up to allow Domestic Electrical Installers to notify Local Building Control of electrical installations that fall under Part P Building Regulations.

Consequently, a member of a Competent Person Scheme can self-certify their work and notify via their Scheme Provider.

Several scheme providers offer this service, including but not limited to NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA. Scheme providers will require their members to demonstrate competence and hold minimum qualifications such as 18th Edition Wiring Regulations and a Domestic Electrical Installer award.

Increasingly Scheme Providers wish to see that their members have a minimum of two years of trading history.

With effect from 1st September 2021, 18th Edition and DEI qualifications in isolation will no longer be accepted as proof of competence by many scheme providers. Persons wishing to join a CPS should make contact with the scheme provider for exact entry requirements, but they are expected to have achieved NVQ Level 3 or a minimum of 2-years’ experience and working towards an NVQ Level 3 qualification.

Sometimes referred to as Part P Award, this is a qualification that installers working in domestic properties are expected to hold by their CPS. It looks at the requirements and implications of Part P Building Regulations for Domestic Electrical Installers.

With effect from 1st September 2021, 18th Edition and DEI qualifications in isolation will no longer be accepted as proof of competence by many scheme providers. Persons wishing to join a CPS should make contact with the scheme provider for exact entry requirements, but they are expected to have achieved NVQ Level 3 or a minimum of 2-years’ experience and working towards an NVQ Level 3 qualification.

A person that works predominantly single phase, domestic electrical installations. This person is usually self-employed in their own electrical business and will be a member of a CPS.

With effect from 1st September 2021, 18th Edition and DEI qualifications in isolation will no longer be accepted as proof of competence by many scheme providers. Persons wishing to join a CPS should make contact with the scheme provider for exact entry requirements but they are expected to have achieved NVQ Level 3 or a minimum of 2-years’ experience and working towards an NVQ Level 3 qualification.

Electrotechnical Certification Scheme. ECS issues cards to people within the industry that verifies an individual’s qualifications and experience. Subsequently, these cards demonstrate an individual’s qualifications and competence to would-be employers.

ECS Cards are widely sought by major electrical employers, contractors and agencies and are often the precursor to interviews and employment.

ECS Trainee Cards are issued to individuals in the electrotechnical industry enrolled on an NVQ Training Course.

For example, during initial NVQ Level 3 Electrical Training with Options Skills, students gain their ECS Trainee card, allowing them to go out to work on-site as paid trainees.

The ECS Gold Card is issued to individuals working in the electrotechnical industry. You must have completed your AM2 assessment to be eligible to apply. AM2 assessment is the last stage of our NVQ Level 3 Training and must be undertaken at an independent assessment centre.

The ECS Labourer card is issued to a non-qualified electrical labourer.

The Inspection & Testing award demonstrates competency in the ability to inspect, test, report and certify both new (initial) and existing (periodic) electrical installations.

Find out more: Inspection & Testing Electrical Award

The Joint Industries Board work closely with ECS. You will often hear the ECS Gold Card referred to as a JIB card. This was a forerunner of the ECS card scheme. It is the same thing, but ECS Card is the correct and current terminology.

Not all electrical works undertaken are classed as a Notifiable Event under Part P, i.e. upgrading of lighting circuits, upgrading of light figments and controls, replacing damaged surface boxes, replacing damaged/faulty wiring & adding onto existing circuits, new socket points A Minor Works certificate should be left by the Domestic Electrical Installer however these works would not be classed as a notifiable event under Part P.

No, you don’t have to. Competent Persons Schemes exist for Domestic Electrical Installers to notify their local building control/local authority of any works that fall under Part P of The Building Regulations. These are known as notifiable events. However, an installer does not need to be a member of a CPS. They may notify their local council directly of a notifiable event or ask a Competent Person to check and certify their work.

A National Vocational Qualification is recognised and accepted by the Electrotechnical Industry as the standard all electricians must achieve. The full award incorporates all types of domestic and industrial wiring and installation. It combines training with assessments, portfolio building and direct observation by an NVQ assessor. EAL and City and Guilds currently offer NVQ awards for the Electrotechnical Industry. They are soon to be joined by NICEIC in delivering this qualification.

For a Domestic Electrical Installer to be able to ‘self-certify a notifiable event, they must be a CPS/Competent Persons Scheme member. Therefore, a Domestic Electrical Installer who is not a CPS member should ask CPS Member to certify any works that require notification or notify local building control of the works. Note: Notification is not the same as Self Certification. The householder will still need the works to be certified.

A notifiable event is any electrical installation that falls under Part P of Building Regulations. Local Building Control at your local council must be notified of any such installation directly or via a CPS Provider. Notifiable events will include but are not limited to new electrical installations, re-wires and electrical works in special locations such as bathrooms or kitchens.

UKAS regulates the Qualifications and Credit Framework. It is the regulatory responsibility of UKAS to ensure that standards for qualifications and assessments throughout the UK are maintained and that the qualifications market is fit for purpose for all users. This includes the comparability of qualifications.

QCF qualifications are delivered through Awarding Organisations and Accredited Training Centres. Awarding Organisations such as LCL Awards must comply with the standards set out by UKAS.

In turn, awarding organisations will accredit training providers such as Options Skills to deliver training and qualifications that are approved, and that comply with The Qualifications and Credit Framework.

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a credit transfer system replacing the National Qualification Framework (NQF). It works by recognising qualifications and units by awarding credits. There are many awarding bodies that issue certification and all of which must conform to the national standard laid out by Ofqual. 

Awarding Organisation and Accredited Training Centres

An Awarding Organisation is an exam and certification body that creates and administers industry-recognised qualifications. Qualifications must meet a national standard if they are to comply with QCF.

Accredited training centres will deliver training, assessment and qualifications. The awarding organisation will only grant accredited status to the training centre following a rigorous audit process. Staff must be experienced and qualified. Assessment facilities must meet a high standard, with systems in place to deliver quality training supported by rigorous internal verification processes. Standards are maintained further as the Awarding Organisation will undertake regular External Verification visits as part of the ongoing quality control.

Please get in touch with us if you have questions about QCF and accreditation on 0800 802 1306.