Competent Person Schemes for Electricians: Full Guide

A competent person scheme (CPS) is a government-approved registration scheme that allows members to self-certify that their work complies with building regulations. For electricians, this means being able to sign off notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations without needing to involve the local authority building control department.

The concept was introduced as part of the Building Regulations framework to provide a practical route for competent tradespeople to certify their own work. Without scheme membership, any notifiable electrical work requires a separate building control application, inspection, and fee, which adds cost and delay for both the electrician and the customer.

For self-employed electricians and small electrical businesses, joining a competent person scheme is one of the most important business steps after gaining your qualifications. It allows you to operate professionally, compete effectively for domestic work, and provide customers with the certification they need.

The competent person scheme process works as follows. When you complete a notifiable electrical installation, you test and inspect the work in accordance with BS 7671, issue the appropriate electrical certificate (EIC or Minor Works), and then notify the local authority through your scheme. The scheme issues a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate on your behalf. The homeowner and the local authority each receive a copy.

This notification process is typically done electronically through the scheme's online portal. You log into your account, enter the job details, upload or record the certificate information, and the notification is processed automatically. There is no need for building control to visit the property.

Benefits of Scheme Membership

• ✓Self-certify notifiable Part P work without building control involvement
• ✓Faster completion of jobs with no building control waiting times
• ✓Lower cost for customers (no building control fee of 250 to 500 pounds)
• ✓Professional credibility and listing on the scheme directory
• ✓Annual assessment keeps your work to a high standard
• ✓Marketing benefits from using the scheme logo and Find a Contractor directories

There are several government-approved competent person schemes for electrical work in England and Wales. The four main providers are:

NICEIC

The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting is the oldest and largest scheme, established in 1956. Managed by Certsure, NICEIC has strong brand recognition among both the trade and the general public. It offers Domestic Installer and Approved Contractor registration levels. Annual fees for Domestic Installer registration are typically 500 to 700 pounds.

NAPIT

The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers is a growing scheme that has attracted many members with competitive pricing and good customer service. NAPIT offers domestic and full-scope registration. Annual fees for domestic registration are typically 400 to 600 pounds, making it one of the more affordable options.

ELECSA

ELECSA (now part of the Electrical Contractors Association family) is another government-approved scheme offering Part P self-certification. It provides a similar service to NICEIC and NAPIT with competitive pricing and a straightforward registration process.

Certsure

Certsure is the organisation that manages the NICEIC scheme. It is a joint venture between the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). While the brand name NICEIC is more commonly used, Certsure is the parent organisation.

All competent person schemes for electrical work require a minimum set of qualifications. While there are minor differences between schemes, the core requirements are consistent.

Minimum Qualifications

• ✓Current 18th Edition Wiring Regulations certificate (City and Guilds 2382-22)
• ✓Inspection and Testing qualification (City and Guilds 2391-52)
• ✓Appropriate electrical installation qualification (City and Guilds 2365 or equivalent)

Other Requirements

• ✓Public liability insurance (minimum 2 million pounds, some schemes require 5 million)
• ✓Calibrated test equipment within its calibration date
• ✓A business address (even if working from home)
• ✓Evidence of recent electrical work and certification

The joining process is broadly similar across all schemes. Here is what to expect when applying.

Application Steps

• ✓Choose your scheme based on cost, reputation, and your business needs
• ✓Complete the online application form with your personal and business details
• ✓Provide copies of your qualifications and insurance documents
• ✓Pay the initial assessment fee and first year membership fee
• ✓An assessor is assigned and contacts you to arrange a visit
• ✓The assessor visits your premises and assesses your competence
• ✓If successful, your registration is confirmed and you receive your certificate
• ✓You can immediately begin self-certifying notifiable work

The Initial Assessment

The initial assessment is the most important step in the joining process. A qualified assessor will visit you to evaluate your competence. They will typically check your qualifications, review your test instruments, examine certificates you have issued, and may ask you technical questions about installation practices and BS 7671 requirements. Some schemes may also require you to demonstrate practical skills or inspect a recent installation.

The assessment is thorough but not unreasonably difficult for a competent electrician. The assessor is looking for evidence that you understand the regulations, test properly, certify correctly, and work to a professional standard.

Scheme membership comes with ongoing obligations that you must maintain throughout your registration.

• ✓Annual assessment visit: a scheme assessor reviews your work each year
• ✓Maintain current qualifications: update when regulations change
• ✓Keep test equipment calibrated: instruments must be within their calibration date
• ✓Maintain public liability insurance: provide proof at each annual assessment
• ✓Notify all Part P work through the scheme portal: every notifiable job must be recorded
• ✓Issue proper certificates: EICs and Minor Works certificates as appropriate
• ✓Pay annual registration fees on time

The annual cost of scheme membership — typically 400 to 700 pounds — may seem like a significant expense, especially for a new business. However, the financial case for membership is strong when you consider the alternative.

Without scheme membership, every notifiable job requires a building control application at a cost of 250 to 500 pounds to the homeowner. This either comes out of the customer's pocket (making your quote less competitive) or out of your own margin. After just one or two notifiable jobs per year, the scheme membership has paid for itself.

Beyond the direct cost comparison, scheme membership provides marketing benefits through the contractor directory, professional credibility through the scheme logo, and the discipline of annual assessments that keeps your work to a high standard. Most successful self-employed electricians consider scheme membership an essential business expense.