18th Edition Update: 2382-22 to 2382-26 (2026 Guide)

If you hold a 2382-22 certificate, your qualification remains valid — it does not expire. However, City & Guilds has replaced the 2382-22 with the 2382-26 to reflect Amendment 4 (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026), which was published on 15 April 2026. In practice, most electricians will need to update when they next renew with their competent person scheme or apply for a JIB card renewal.

The update process is straightforward. Experienced electricians who hold 2382-22 have two options: sit the exam-only (£145 centre / £195 remote) after self-studying Amendment 4, or attend our 2-day classroom course (£400 all-in). Most experienced electricians choose the exam-only route.

No. Your 2382-22 certificate has no expiry date and is not cancelled by the introduction of Amendment 4. You will not be asked to return it or have it revoked.

The practical reality is different from the legal position, however. Competent person schemes — NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA — expect members to demonstrate current knowledge of BS 7671. When your scheme membership comes up for renewal, you will likely be required to show that you hold the 2382-26. The same applies to JIB card renewals, which require a current 18th Edition certificate.

Agencies and principal contractors also increasingly ask to see the current qualification before placing electricians on site. Holding the 2382-22 rather than the 2382-26 is not necessarily a problem today, but it becomes one at the next renewal or placement check.

There are three practical reasons most electricians holding 2382-22 will need to update:

• ✓Scheme renewal — NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA require current wiring regulations certification at each renewal. When the 2382-22 is superseded, schemes will expect the 2382-26.
• ✓JIB card — JIB grading and ECS card renewal require a current 18th Edition certificate. The 2382-26 is now the current qualification.
• ✓Amendment 4 work — from 15 October 2026, all new electrical work and alterations must comply with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. Electricians certifying A4-compliant installations need current knowledge of the new requirements.

Additionally, employers and clients increasingly request evidence of up-to-date qualifications. Holding the current 2382-26 removes any question about compliance with the latest edition of the wiring regulations.

Amendment 4 is the largest update since the 18th Edition was first published in 2018. Five major additions and one significant revision distinguish the 2382-26 from the 2382-22:

• ✓Chapter 57 — battery energy storage systems (EESS). New enforceable requirements for solar-plus-storage, home batteries, and commercial energy storage, including strict rules on battery location in domestic premises.
• ✓Section 716 — Power over Ethernet (PoE). Requirements for PoE installations used in lighting, access control, smart building systems, and CCTV.
• ✓Section 545 — functional earthing and equipotential bonding for ICT systems. Separate framework for data centres, server rooms, and structured cabling networks.
• ✓Low-voltage generators — new requirements for standby generators and CHP units operating in parallel with other supply sources.
• ✓Energy efficiency design framework — elevates energy efficiency from an optional appendix into a structured design requirement within the main regulations.
• ✓Section 710 (medical locations) — major revision including a new schedule of test results for supplementary protective equipotential bonding conductors.

For the full technical detail on each change, see our complete Amendment 4 guide.

There are two routes to moving from 2382-22 to 2382-26 at Total Skills:

Option 1: Exam-only (most popular for 2382-22 holders)

If you hold 2382-22 and are comfortable studying the Amendment 4 material yourself, you can book the exam directly — no course required. You sit the same 60-question, 2-hour, open-book assessment. Free mock exams are included when you book.

• ✓Nottingham centre — £145. We provide the exam conditions and invigilation; you bring your BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and photo ID.
• ✓Remote (Talview proctoring) — £195. Sit from home on a Windows PC with a webcam and second device. Book at least 7 working days in advance.

Option 2: 2-day classroom course with exam

If you prefer structured preparation before sitting the exam, our 2-day classroom course covers the full 2382-26 syllabus including all Amendment 4 content — battery storage, PoE, ICT earthing, generators, and the energy efficiency framework. The exam is taken on day 2. Everything is included in the course fee: training, exam, and City & Guilds certification.

• ✓Price: £400 all-in (course + exam + certification)
• ✓Duration: 2 days at our Nottingham training centre
• ✓Suitable for: holders of 2382-22 or earlier who want guided preparation before sitting
• ✓Maximum 9 students per cohort — small group teaching

The exam format is identical to the 2382-22 — if you have sat the 18th Edition exam before, nothing about the assessment structure has changed.

• ✓60 multiple-choice questions with four answer options (A, B, C, D)
• ✓2 hours total exam time
• ✓Pass mark: 60% — 36 correct answers out of 60
• ✓Open book: you bring your own copy of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (Orange Book)
• ✓Annotated copies are permitted — tabs, highlights, and handwritten notes in the book
• ✓No On-Site Guide, Guidance Notes, or separate reference books permitted
• ✓No negative marking — always attempt every question

The key difference in the 2382-26 exam content is the inclusion of questions on Amendment 4 material — Chapter 57, Section 716, Section 545, low-voltage generators, and energy efficiency. These sections are in the new Orange Book but not in earlier printings. You must bring BS 7671:2018+A4:2026; an older copy will not contain these sections.

For full guidance on question types, time management, and preparation strategy, see our 18th Edition exam guide.