A registered electrician belongs to a government-authorised competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, which lets them self-certify that their work meets the Building Regulations. You can check any firm in a couple of minutes on the official Registered Competent Person Electrical register, and it's worth doing before anyone starts work.
What "registered" actually means
Installers who join a competent person scheme can self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations, instead of the homeowner getting approval from building control, according to GOV.UK. The official register says its electricians meet strict entry requirements and have their work regularly assessed. GOV.UK currently lists five schemes that cover electrical installation work in homes: Certsure (which trades as NICEIC), NAPIT, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification and OFTEC. A firm saying "Part P registered" on its website or van should be able to tell you which of these it belongs to.
How to check the register
The Registered Competent Person Electrical register at electricalcompetentperson.co.uk lists electricians registered with these schemes for domestic work in England and Wales. Its Check option lets you search by company name to see whether a firm is listed, and you can also search by postcode to find registered electricians near you. Electrical Safety First suggests contacting the scheme directly if you want to check an individual's registration. Similar business names are common, so make sure the entry you find is the firm you're actually dealing with.
Why it matters
Electrical Safety First says a registered electrician will be regulated by government, work to the BS 7671 safety standard, have their work regularly assessed and be insured. It also matters legally: the homeowner or landlord must be able to prove that electrical installation work meets Part P of the Building Regulations, or they are committing a criminal offence, according to the official register. A registered electrician arranges the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate for notifiable work, and Electrical Safety First points out you won't pay building control charges.
The certificates you should get
However big or small the job, the electrician should give you a certificate confirming the work meets BS 7671, according to the official register. For a new circuit or a replacement consumer unit (fuse box) that's an Electrical Installation Certificate plus a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. Adding to or altering an existing circuit gets a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, sometimes with a compliance certificate too, for example in a bathroom. A safety check of existing wiring produces an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Keep them somewhere safe: you may need them when you sell.
Questions to ask before you hire
Electrical Safety First advises getting at least three written quotes unless the job is minor, checking the electrician is registered with a government-approved scheme, asking for references, and checking they have public liability insurance of at least £2 million. It suggests giving each electrician a written summary of the work so quotes are easy to compare, and warns that a tradesperson unwilling to show evidence of their qualifications and registration could be a warning sign. If a builder or kitchen fitter is bringing in an electrician, check that person too.
If something goes wrong
Raise any problem with the electrician straight away and give them the chance to put it right. If you can't resolve it, the official register advises contacting the competent person scheme they are certified by, which can advise and work with both of you towards a solution. Electrical Safety First notes that using a registered electrician gives you access to a formal complaints procedure if work doesn't meet the Building Regulations, and the option of an insurance-backed guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NICEIC better than NAPIT?
Both are competent person schemes listed by GOV.UK for electrical work in homes, and members of either can self-certify notifiable work. What matters is that the electrician is registered for domestic work and that the registration is current, which you can check on the official register.
Can I check an electrician by company name?
Yes. The Check option on electricalcompetentperson.co.uk searches by company name and shows whether a firm is listed as registered. You can also contact the scheme the electrician says they belong to.
Are registered electricians insured?
Electrical Safety First says a registered electrician will be insured, and recommends checking they hold public liability insurance of at least £2 million. Ask to see the certificate and check the dates cover your job.
What if the electrician isn't registered?
If the job is notifiable, such as a new circuit or a replacement fuse box, someone must tell your local authority's building control before the work starts, usually for a fee, and building control will need to inspect it. The official register strongly recommends using a registered electrician even for work that isn't notifiable.
Where this information comes from
- Registered Competent Person Electrical — Choosing an electrician
- Registered Competent Person Electrical — Building Regulations explained
- Electrical Safety First — Choosing a registered electrician
- Electrical Safety First — Part P of the Building Regulations
- GOV.UK — Competent person schemes: current schemes and how they are authorised
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Last checked 2026-10-22.
