What Qualifications Do I Need to Be an Electrician in the UK?

Electricians work with systems where safety, precision, and regulation matter. That’s why the qualifications are structured, assessed, and nationally recognised. If you’re asking “what qualifications do I need to be an electrician,” the short answer is: a Level 3 NVQ or apprenticeship, a wiring regulations certificate, and a health and safety card.

You can start young or change careers later. Either way, the path is clear but requires commitment. In this blog, we’ll explore the work electricians do, the different roles across sectors, and what it takes to get qualified in the UK in 2025.

What Does an Electrician Do in the UK Today?

Electricians don’t just fix broken lights. They install, inspect, test, and maintain electrical systems that power homes, businesses, and factories. Their work keeps buildings safe and running.

There are three key types of electricians:

• Domestic electricians work in homes and flats. They handle lighting, sockets, fuseboards, and new installations.
• Commercial electricians focus on places like offices, shops, and schools. They install three-phase systems, emergency lighting, and energy controls.
• Industrial electricians work in factories and plants. They maintain big machines, power controls, and automated systems.

Each role needs technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. And all roles follow strict safety codes.

Why Qualifications Matter in Electrical Work

You can’t guess your way through wiring. One wrong move can cause injury, fire, or legal trouble. That’s why electricians must learn, train, and prove their skills.

From installing domestic lighting to wiring control systems in factories, the job demands more than hands-on practice. It needs formal education, supervised experience, and assessment.

Electricians must follow BS 7671, also known as the UK Wiring Regulations. That’s not optional. It’s the standard for every circuit they install or check.

Key Qualifications to Become an Electrician in 2025 (UK)

Let’s break down the key parts that answer the question: what qualifications do I need to be an electrician?

Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification (NVQ or Apprenticeship)

This is the main qualification. You can get it in two ways:

• Through a paid apprenticeship (usually 3-4 years)
• Through a college course + on-site experience

Both routes lead to a Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Installation or Maintenance. This proves you have the technical and practical skills to work unsupervised.

18th Edition Wiring Regulations Certificate (BS 7671)

Every electrician must pass the wiring regs exam. It shows you understand how to install systems safely and legally. Most electricians do this as part of their training.

Health and Safety Assessment (ECS Card)

You need an ECS card (or CSCS card) to work on sites. To get this, you must pass a health and safety test. The ECS Gold Card proves you’re fully qualified.

End-Point Assessment (AM2 or EWA)

At the end of your training, you must take a skills test. Apprentices take the AM2. Experienced workers take the EWA (Experienced Worker Assessment).

These tests show you can wire, test, fault-find, and work to standard.

GCSEs and School Qualifications You’ll Need First

To start an apprenticeship, you usually need:

• Grade 4 (or C) or above in Maths and English
• A few more GCSEs to show general learning ability

Some routes accept a Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation from college as an entry step. Others allow you to start a T Level in Building Services Engineering (Electrical).

If you don’t have these, you can still start with functional skills or foundation programs.

How to Train: Apprenticeship vs College Route

Both routes get you to the same place. But they work differently.

Apprenticeship Route:

• Work four days a week with a qualified electrician
• Attend college one day a week
• Paid while you train
• Takes 3-4 years
• Ends with the AM2 test

College/Employed Route:

• Start with a Level 2 and move to Level 3
• Find a job to complete the NVQ section
• Can be full-time college or day-release
• Often used by adult learners or career changers

What About Becoming a Self-Employed Electrician?

You still need all the same qualifications. You also need to register with a scheme like:

• NICEIC (National Inspection Council)
• NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)

These let you self-certify domestic work under Part P of the Building Regulations. Without that, you have to notify every job to Building Control.

Being self-employed also means knowing your insurance, business skills, and local rules.

Extra Qualifications That Boost Your Career

Electricians often take more training once they qualify. These boost your job options and pay.

• City & Guilds 2391: For testing and inspection. Needed for landlord checks and commercial jobs.
• EV Charger Installation: For domestic and business EV point installs.
• Solar PV and Battery Storage: For renewables and green energy upgrades.
• PAT Testing: For appliance checks in workplaces.

These show clients and employers that you stay sharp and up to date.

What Does an Electrician’s Day Look Like?

A domestic electrician might replace a fuseboard in the morning and then fit a car charger in the afternoon. A commercial electrician could wire an office floor or test emergency lights. In a factory, an industrial electrician might fix a conveyor or rewire a control panel.

It’s active, varied, and hands-on. Sometimes it’s cold, cramped, or noisy. But it’s rewarding.

Electricians don’t just turn up and drill holes. They read technical plans and solve problems. They keep buildings safe and running.

Registered Electrician Status and ECS Gold Card

Most employers want to see an ECS Gold Card. It proves you’ve passed:

• A Level 3 qualification
• The 18th Edition wiring regs
• A health and safety test

If you join a trade body like JIB (Joint Industry Board), you can get your card faster. It helps you get work on major sites and shows you meet the national standard.

Is the Job Worth It?

Electricians are in demand. Always have been.

Starting pay during training is modest, but qualified electricians often earn well above average. There’s also flexibility. You can work for a company, be self-employed, or start your own team.

And you get to build things that last. Every switch, socket, or control panel you wire becomes part of someone’s life or work.

Final Word

You need a Level 3 NVQ or equivalent, the 18th Edition wiring regs certificate, and a health and safety card. For domestic work, you also need Part P registration through a certified scheme.

That’s the full answer to “what qualifications do I need to be an electrician.” The path isn’t quick, but it’s clear. You train, qualify, and prove you can do the work safely. In return, you get a skill that travels, earns, and builds things that matter.

Ready to train on your terms? Enrol now in Open Learning Academy’s online Electrician course and take the first step toward your new career.