Can Electricians Self-Certify? Everything You Need to Know About Part P and Competent Person Schemes

Yes, but only if they’re registered with a Competent Person Scheme (CPS) such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. In the UK, self-certification allows qualified electricians to sign off notifiable electrical work without needing approval from local authority building control. This applies to jobs like installing new circuits, replacing consumer units (fuse boxes), and rewiring in kitchens or bathrooms. Electricians who aren’t registered with a CPS must notify building control, which means extra fees, inspections, and delays. If you're hiring an electrician, always check their CPS membership to ensure they can legally certify their work, saving you time and money.

1. What Does Self-Certification Mean for Electricians?

If you're an electrician or thinking about hiring one, you might have heard the term self-certification thrown around. But what does it actually mean? In the UK, self-certification allows registered electricians to sign off their own work without needing approval from local authority building control.

This process is covered under Part P of the Building Regulations, which ensures that all electrical work in homes meets legal safety standards. If an electrician is part of a Competent Person Scheme (CPS)—such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA—they can certify their own installations instead of waiting for an external inspection.

For homeowners, this means less paperwork, quicker approvals, and often lower costs. For electricians, it removes the hassle of going through local councils every time they complete notifiable work, such as installing new circuits, consumer units, or making electrical changes in kitchens and bathrooms.

However, if an electrician is not registered with a CPS, they cannot legally self-certify and will need to notify building control, which involves extra fees, delays, and inspections.

2. Can Any Electrician Self-Certify Their Work?

Not every electrician can self-certify. To be eligible, they must be registered with a Competent Person Scheme (CPS), which proves they are qualified, assessed, and compliant with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Some of the major CPS schemes in the UK include:

• NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)

• NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)

• ELECSA (Part of the NICEIC group)

• Stroma Certification

• BSI Kitemark for Electricians
  

These schemes check that electricians are competent in areas like wiring safety, consumer unit installation, fault diagnosis, and circuit protection. Electricians who are not members of a CPS must have their work checked and signed off by building control, which can cost up to £500 per inspection.

This means if you're hiring an electrician, it's always a good idea to ask for proof of CPS registration. If they are self-certified, they can issue you an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate, confirming that the job is legally compliant.

3. What Electrical Work Needs to Be Self-Certified?

Not all electrical jobs require self-certification. The government divides work into notifiable and non-notifiable categories.

Notifiable Work (Needs Certification):

• Installing a new circuit

• Replacing or upgrading a consumer unit (fuse box)

• Altering wiring in bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoors

• Any work involving earthing and bonding
  

Non-Notifiable Work (No Certification Needed):

• Replacing sockets, light switches, or light fittings

• Installing new lights or sockets onto an existing circuit

• Repairs or maintenance on existing electrical wiring
  

If an electrician is registered with a Competent Person Scheme, they can certify notifiable work themselves. If not, they must notify local building control, who will inspect and sign off the job for a fee.

For homeowners, hiring a Part P certified electrician can save both time and money, since their work won’t need extra inspections or approvals.

4. What Are Competent Person Schemes and How Do They Work?

A Competent Person Scheme (CPS) is an industry-approved system that allows electricians to self-certify their work instead of relying on building control for approval.

These schemes are regulated by UK government bodies and require electricians to: ✔️ Prove their competency through qualifications and assessments ✔️ Undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance ✔️ Keep up to date with the latest safety regulations

The most popular CPS schemes in the UK are:

• NICEIC – The largest and most recognised scheme

• NAPIT – Offers Part P registration and full-scope certification

• ELECSA – Part of NICEIC, aimed at small businesses

• Stroma Certification – Covers a range of building trades, including electrical work

• BSI Kitemark – An additional quality assurance scheme
  

When an electrician is a member of a CPS, they can issue certificates directly to homeowners and building control, confirming that the work meets Part P and BS 7671 Wiring Regulations.

If you're hiring an electrician, always check if they are part of one of these schemes—this ensures your electrical work is both legal and safe.

5. How Do Electricians Register for Self-Certification?

If an electrician wants to self-certify their work, they must register with a Competent Person Scheme by following these steps:

1️⃣ Meet the Qualifications: They need to hold recognised electrical qualifications, such as NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation or an equivalent Part P qualification.

2️⃣ Apply to a CPS Scheme: They can choose a scheme like NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA and submit an application.

3️⃣ Undergo an Initial Assessment: The CPS provider will check their workmanship, knowledge of regulations, and on-site installations.

4️⃣ Pay the Membership Fees: Fees vary by scheme but can range from £500 to £800 per year.

5️⃣ Maintain Compliance: Registered electricians must pass annual inspections to stay in the scheme.

Being a CPS-registered electrician means they can issue certificates, avoid costly building control inspections, and give homeowners peace of mind that the work is safe and legal.

6. What Happens if an Electrician is Not Registered?

If an electrician is not registered with a Competent Person Scheme, they cannot legally certify their work. This means:

🚨 They must notify local authority building control before starting any notifiable work.

🚨 A building control inspector will need to check the installation before and after completion.

🚨 The homeowner may face delays and extra costs (up to £500 for inspections).🚨 Work that is not certified could cause issues when selling a home or applying for insurance.

Unregistered electricians who carry out notifiable work without certification could also face fines or be required to redo the job properly.

7. How Can Homeowners Check If an Electrician Can Self-Certify?

If you're hiring an electrician, always ask for proof of CPS registration. You can:

🔹 Check their ID card – CPS members have an ID showing their registration.

🔹 Look them up online – Most CPS schemes have an online search tool.

🔹 Ask for their registration number – You can verify this with their scheme provider.

Hiring a self-certified electrician means your work is done legally, safely, and without unnecessary delays. If an electrician can't self-certify, you may end up paying extra for building control inspections—so it’s always worth checking first.

---

Finding the Best Certified Electrician in Wandsworth, London

Finding a qualified and reliable electrician in Wandsworth doesn’t have to be complicated. Always check their certifications, reviews, and range of services to make sure they can handle your electrical needs.

If you're looking for a trusted local electrician in SW18, TNS Electrical Solutions is a top choice. We are NAPIT registered, fully insured, and available 24/7. Whether you need a small repair, a full rewire, or an emergency call-out, we offer professional and high-quality service.

• Location: 445 Sulivan Ct, Peterborough Rd, London SW6 3BX

• Phone: 020 3715 2919

• Email: info@tnssolutions.co.uk
  

With a strong reputation and local expertise, TNS Electrical Solutions ensures your home’s electrics are safe, compliant, and professionally installed.

---

FAQs About Electrical Certification and Legal Requirements

Does an electrician need to be certified?

In the UK, electricians must be qualified and certified to carry out most types of electrical work, especially in domestic properties. Certification ensures that the work meets Part P of the Building Regulations and is safe. Electricians registered with a Competent Person Scheme (CPS), such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA, can self-certify their work. Those who are not registered must have their work inspected and approved by local authority building control.

Can I do my own electrics and get it signed off?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. If the electrical work is notifiable, such as installing a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, or making changes in a kitchen or bathroom, you must either:

• Hire a Part P-registered electrician who can self-certify the work.

• Notify building control before starting the work, pay an inspection fee, and have the work checked by an approved inspector.
  

For non-notifiable work, such as replacing light fittings, switches, or sockets, you can do it yourself without formal certification, as long as it complies with the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

What electrical work can I legally do myself?

You can legally do minor electrical work yourself, as long as it does not involve major alterations to circuitry or consumer units. This includes:

• Replacing or moving light fittings

• Changing socket outlets or light switches

• Installing battery-powered smoke alarms

• Fitting an electric oven (if a plug is already in place)
  

However, work that involves new circuits, consumer unit replacements, or electrical changes in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors is notifiable and must be certified by a registered electrician or building control.

What if an electrician does not provide a certificate?

If an electrician carries out notifiable work but does not provide a certificate, this could mean:

• They are not registered with a Competent Person Scheme and cannot legally self-certify.

• The work has not been inspected or approved, which may cause issues when selling your home or making an insurance claim.
  

You should always ask for an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate, depending on the type of work done. If an electrician refuses to provide certification, you may need to report them to Trading Standards or seek an independent electrical inspection.

Is it illegal to do electrical work without a license?

In the UK, there is no specific "electrician's license", but carrying out notifiable electrical work without being certified or approved is a legal offence under Part P of the Building Regulations. While DIY electrical work is allowed for minor repairs, any work that affects a home’s electrical safety must be carried out by a registered electrician or approved by building control. Failure to comply could lead to fines, enforcement action, or safety risks.