How to Become a PAT Tester: Course, Equipment & Earning Potential (2026)

PAT testing — Portable Appliance Testing — is the process of inspecting and testing electrical appliances to confirm they are safe to use. The formal name, updated in the 5th Edition of the IET Code of Practice (2020), is In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, but the industry still universally calls it PAT testing.

Every business, landlord, school, hospital, and public venue in the UK has a legal duty to ensure that electrical equipment used on their premises is safe. PAT testing is the recognised method of demonstrating this. That creates steady, recurring demand — appliances need retesting every one to four years depending on the environment and equipment type.

For a more detailed breakdown of what PAT testing involves and who needs it, see our full guide to PAT testing.

The short answer: no legal requirement, but practically essential.

There is no UK law that says you must hold a specific qualification to carry out PAT testing. Anyone can technically pick up a PAT tester and start inspecting appliances. However, the reality is very different from the legal position.

Why you need the qualification anyway

• ✓Insurance providers almost universally require proof of competence — the City & Guilds 2377-77 is what they accept
• ✓Commercial clients, landlords, and facilities managers will ask for your qualification certificate before giving you work
• ✓You need to understand the IET Code of Practice to test and record results correctly — guessing is not safe
• ✓If an appliance you tested later causes injury or fire, you need to demonstrate you were competent — a qualification is your evidence
• ✓Trading standards and HSE enforcement reference the IET Code of Practice as the benchmark for competence

The City & Guilds 2377-77 (In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment) is the industry-standard PAT testing qualification. It is the qualification that insurers, employers, and clients recognise and ask for.

What the course covers

• ✓The legal framework — Health and Safety at Work Act, Electricity at Work Regulations, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
• ✓The IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing (5th Edition)
• ✓Equipment construction classes — Class I (earthed), Class II (double insulated), and Class III (safety extra-low voltage)
• ✓Visual inspection techniques — identifying damage, wear, incorrect wiring, and environmental hazards
• ✓Electrical testing — earth continuity, insulation resistance, earth leakage, and functional checks
• ✓Using PAT testing instruments — connecting, reading results, understanding pass and fail thresholds
• ✓Recording and documentation — labelling appliances, maintaining registers, determining retest intervals

Course details

• ✓Duration: one day of classroom and practical training
• ✓Assessment: practical assessment using real PAT testing instruments
• ✓Prerequisites: none — no prior electrical qualifications or experience required
• ✓Certification: City & Guilds 2377-77 certificate, recognised across the UK

Once qualified, you need your own equipment to start testing. The initial outlay is modest compared to most trades. For a full breakdown of testing instruments and what to look for, see our testing equipment guide.

Essential equipment

• ✓PAT testing instrument — a dedicated portable appliance tester that performs earth continuity, insulation resistance, and earth leakage tests. Budget models start around £200, mid-range instruments with memory and printing capability cost £400 to £600, and top-end units with Bluetooth and automatic test sequences cost up to £800
• ✓Pass and fail labels — self-adhesive labels applied to each tested appliance showing the date tested, next test due, and tester identity. Available in rolls of 500 for around £10 to £15
• ✓PAT testing software or logbook — for recording results, generating reports, and tracking retest dates. Several free and paid options are available, and many higher-end instruments include companion software
• ✓Basic hand tools — screwdrivers for opening plug tops, a plug wiring tool, and a torch for visual inspections
• ✓Extension lead and carry case — for reaching appliances in awkward locations

PAT testing income depends on whether you work as a sole trader, subcontract to a testing company, or offer it as an add-on service alongside other electrical work.

Pricing models

• ✓Per-appliance pricing: £1 to £3 per item — the most common model for commercial clients with large numbers of appliances
• ✓Day rate: £150 to £300 per day — common for office blocks, schools, and industrial premises where you test everything on site
• ✓Minimum call-out fee: £50 to £80 — essential for smaller jobs (a single landlord property with 10 appliances would not be viable at per-item rates alone)
• ✓Annual retesting contracts: the real value — once a client is set up, they need retesting every 1 to 4 years, creating recurring revenue

Realistic income

A self-employed PAT tester working four to five days a week, testing an average of 80 to 150 items per day, can realistically earn £30,000 to £50,000 per year. Earnings at the higher end come from building a regular client base with annual contracts, which reduces time spent on marketing and quoting.

For electricians adding PAT testing as a service, even one or two days a week of PAT work generates a useful supplementary income of £300 to £600 per week. See our guide to going self-employed for advice on setting up as an independent tradesperson.

PAT testing is one of the easiest technical service businesses to start. The qualification is quick, equipment costs are low, and the client base is large and recurring. For a full breakdown of the legal position, start-up costs, and how to find clients, see our dedicated guide to starting a PAT testing business.

Finding clients

• ✓Landlords and letting agents — every furnished rental property needs PAT testing, especially HMOs where it is often a licence condition
• ✓Small businesses — offices, shops, restaurants, and cafes all have portable appliances that need testing
• ✓Schools and nurseries — high compliance requirements and large numbers of appliances
• ✓Churches, community centres, and charities — often have old equipment and limited budgets, but consistent need
• ✓Construction sites — Electricity at Work Regulations require portable tool testing on site
• ✓Hotels and guest houses — high appliance counts and strict insurance requirements

Insurance and business setup

You will need public liability insurance (typically £1 million to £5 million cover) and professional indemnity insurance. Most insurers will require sight of your 2377-77 certificate before issuing a policy. For detailed guidance on insurance requirements, see our electrician insurance guide.

Keys to long-term success

• ✓Build annual retesting contracts — recurring revenue is the backbone of a PAT testing business
• ✓Provide professional reports — clients value clear documentation with pass/fail records, dates, and recommendations
• ✓Offer retest reminders — contact clients when their appliances are due for retesting (most PAT software can automate this)
• ✓Consider combining services — PAT testing pairs well with fire extinguisher servicing, emergency lighting checks, and basic electrical maintenance

PAT testing and EICRs are often confused, but they cover completely different parts of the electrical system and require different qualifications.

PAT testing (2377-77)

• ✓Tests portable and moveable appliances — anything with a plug
• ✓One-day course, no prior qualifications needed
• ✓Uses a dedicated PAT testing instrument
• ✓Results recorded on labels and in a register
• ✓Anyone can become qualified regardless of background

EICR — Inspection and Testing (2391)

• ✓Tests the fixed electrical installation — wiring, consumer unit, circuits, sockets
• ✓Requires the City & Guilds 2391 qualification, which is significantly more advanced
• ✓Typically needs prior electrical qualifications (2365 or equivalent) as a prerequisite
• ✓Uses multifunction testers, loop impedance testers, and RCD testers
• ✓Results in a formal EICR report with coding (C1, C2, C3, FI)

For a full explanation of the 2391 qualification, see our dedicated guide. The 2391 is a natural progression from PAT testing if you decide to pursue a full electrical career.

PAT testing is a standalone career in its own right, but it also works as the first step on a longer journey into the electrical trade. The natural progression looks like this:

• ✓Start with the City & Guilds 2377-77 PAT testing course — get qualified in one day and start earning immediately
• ✓Build a client base and gain commercial experience while you decide on your next move
• ✓If you want to go further, take the Level 2 and Level 3 2365 diplomas to learn full electrical installation
• ✓Add the 2391 Inspection and Testing qualification to offer EICR services at higher day rates
• ✓Consider specialist add-ons like EV charger installation or solar PV once you have your core qualifications

The key advantage of starting with PAT testing is that you can begin earning while you train. Unlike the full 2365 diploma route, which takes months, the 2377-77 gets you working within a week of completing the course.

Related Course

Inspection & Testing (2391)

Ready to progress? The 2391 lets you offer EICR services at higher rates

View Course