If you need to hire an electrician to do some wiring work in your property, it’s imperative you ensure they are properly qualified to carry out the job in question. Many electricians will be happy to show you their certificates, but you might not know what you should be looking out for.
Take a look at our guide to the qualifications electricians should have in order to legally carry out work in properties, as well as the professional bodies they may be registered with.
City & Guilds 2330 and 2356
In order to be a recognised electrician, it’s necessary to complete the City & Guilds 2330 and 2356 qualifications that, together, allow a candidate to apply to the Joint Industry Board for the grade of electrician. The 2330 aspect of the qualification covers the theoretical side of training, while the 2356 NVQ section is the practical element of the course.
Electricians are also required to keep their knowledge and skills up to date in accordance with the IET Electrical Regulation BS 7671:2021, which means they will also need to complete the City & Guilds 2382-12 or 2382-20 qualifications.
City & Guilds 2351 and the 2355
Before the City & Guilds 2330 and 2356 became the standard qualifications for electricians to attain, they were preceded by the City & Guilds 2351 and the 2355, which were awarded to successful candidates between 1999 and 2004. The certificates are still valid as proof of competence, provided the electrician can show they have also achieved the City & Guilds 2382-12 or 2382-20, which proves that their skills are up to date in accordance with the BS 7671 2021:(2023) IET 17th Regulations.
Electrotechnical Certification Scheme card
Once an electrician has gained the necessary qualifications to practice their trade, they can apply for an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card, which is the sole form of ID for electrotechnical operatives in the UK. The card is recognised by the industry and serves to prove an electrician’s identity and occupation, and that they’re qualified to work, so they won’t need to show you all their City & Guilds paperwork if they can present an ECS card instead.
NICEIC approved
An electrician may display on their website, leaflets or business cards that they are NICEIC approved, which means their skills have been endorsed by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting.
NICEIC is an industry body that has been assessing the electrical skills of contractors for over five decades and, although electricians do not legally need to be members of NICEIC, doing so indicates that the business they run is reputable and that their work meets industry standards.
Installation work by NICEIC-approved electricians is also covered under a warranty or a standards guarantee scheme, and the body also ensures its accredited electricians have undergone the relevant training for Part P of the Building Regulations – which brought electrical work in homes under statutory control in 2018 – providing extra peace of mind.
ECA registered
As with the NICEIC approval, being registered with the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is not necessary to trade as an electrician – rather, it acts as a sign that the firm or individual in question meets specific standards with regards to their work. ECA-registered electricians are expected to be professional and technically-competent.
If you need to find someone to complete a job in the capital, take a look at the recommended electricians in Bristol listed on RatedPeople.com.
