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Approved Contractor Scheme

Our Approved Contractor scheme is for any electrical installation business.

Our Approved Contractor scheme is for electrical contractors undertaking design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of electrical installations to BS 7671.

Following the 2020 update the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS), NICEIC have implemented changes to scheme entry criteria.  Details of the changes, which came into effect on 1 September 2021, can be viewed here:

Assessment Changes
Entry Requirements

The scheme covers:
  • electricians working on commercial and industrial installations
  • electricians working on domestic installations
  • electrical installation condition reporting (testing, inspection, PIRs)
  • street lighting installers
  • security systems installers
  • any other activity covered by BS 7671
* The registration fee quoted above is the annual fee. This fee is reduced depending on the time of year joined. Call us for a quote to join now on 0333 015 6626.

£525* + VAT

Initial application fee

£475* + VAT

Initial registration fee

Speak to an adviser on
0333 015 6626

Enquire about
our Schemes
To begin the application process please make an enquiry using the red 'Enquire about our Scheme button' above.  An application form will be sent to you with guidance on the scheme requirements.  You need to submit at point of application:

  1. A completed and signed application form
  2. Craft qualifications
  3. Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671:2008
  4. Insurance certificates
    • Public Liability minimum of £2m
    • If you are carrying out Periodic Inspections and issuing EICR's Professional Indemnity Insurance of a minimum of £250k
Important to note: Your application will not proceed without a completed and signed application form and copies of your supporting documentation listed above.

What qualifications do I need?
Qualification requirements for proposed QS

What does my insurance need to include?
Please ensure the insurance evidence submitted clearly shows the indemnity amount, policy date and confirms the scope of work/measures covered.

The applications team will review the application provided for completeness and confirm evidence supplied meets the scheme application requirements, we may request additional information at this time.

Once application review has been completed we will then start the application process, arranging payment and scheduling your assessment.

Your Assessor will meet you and conduct the assessment.  At the end of the assessment a recommendation will be made as to whether you meet the scheme requirements. This recommendation is independently verified and written confirmation of your registration will be sent to you. The Assessment Overview section provides more guidance as to how to prepare for your assessment.

Please note that if you run your business from multiple offices you will need to submit a separate application for each contracting site.

For more information about the scheme please refer to our Electrical Scheme Guide.
To apply for the Approved Contractor Scheme, here is an example of what you will need: 
 
  • Your business to have recently undertaken electrical installation work 
  • Appoint an appropriate person as a Principal Duty Holder and nominate one or more Qualified Supervisors
  • Your proposed Qualified Supervisor has at least 2 years responsibility for electrical work
  • Have premises and equipment appropriate to the range and scale of electrical work you undertake, including test instruments suitable for carrying out the range of tests required by BS 7671
  • Records of the ongoing accuracy and consistency of test equipment used for certification and reporting purposes
  • Hold current editions of BS 7671 and other technical reference documents relevant to the range and scale of electrical work you undertake
  • Have work available for inspection that represents the electrical work you typically undertake. The work should comply with BS 7671 and relevant codes of practice, and must have been undertaken in the previous 12 months under your business’ current trading title 
  • Hold at least £2 million Public Liability Insurance
  • Have £250k Professional Indemnity Insurance (for AC's who undertake Periodic Inspection)
  • Maintain a record of any complaints made about the technical standard of electrical work carried out by your business, together with details of the remedial action taken
  • Have a written Health and Safety Policy Statement and carry out risk assessments as appropriate
  • Have a safe isolation and re-energisation of installations procedure in place
  • Evidence of relevant qualifications, training (including Continuous Professional Development) and experience for all employed persons undertaking electrical work
  • Maintain records for a minimum of 6 years, inclusive but not limited to; specifications, certificates, competence records and compaints
For more information about the scheme, please refer to our Scheme Rules which you can find in key documents.
Your assessment will usually last for a full day and will consist of:
 
  1. a visit to both your business premises, and
  2. on site to inspect a sample of electrical work consistent with the range and scope that your business undertakes. We recommend you have 3 sites available although the actual number visited will be at the discretion of your area engineer.
The assessment is your opportunity to show that the work you do complies with the Scheme Rules, and the national industry standard BS 7671. It is also a great opportunity for you to meet one of our highly skilled engineers and ask any questions you might have about how we can help you achieve your business goals.
 
The purpose of the site assessment is for you to show your work meets the industry standards and regulations for that work. The Qualified Supervisor will need to demonstrate competence in inspection and testing, including use of instruments and interpretation of results.

The following video provides useful hints and tips as to how best prepare for your assessment:


You will need the following documents to apply for the Approved Contractor scheme:

  1. Electrical Scheme Guide to Registration
  2. Approved Contractor Scheme Rules - an important document which outlines the terms and conditions of the Scheme
  3. Approved Contractor Fee Sheet
  4. EAS Entry Requirements
  5. EAS Assessment Changes
  6. Acceptable QS Qualifications (AC Scheme)
The following documents will help you prepare for your assessment:

  1. Guidance from the HSE about how to prepare a health & policy statement
  2. Guidance about how to prepare a customer complaints process for your business
  3. Information relating to maintaining accuracy records for your test instruments
  4. Defined Approval List
  5. Assessment Guidance



For information about the process we follow when we receive complaints from customers about contractors, please click here.