The new rules affecting the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme will apply across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and will have implications for existing cardholders and those wishing to apply to the scheme for the first time.
From the 1st January 2019, anyone applying for an Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold card for the first time will be required to sign up to Registered Electrician status. This means the applicant must be qualified to the current edition of BS7671 (the Wiring Regulations) when the application is made and sign up to a Code of Professional Practice, in addition to holding the minimum qualifications required for the card.
From the 1st July 2019, any existing Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold card holders who have let their card lapse for more than a year will be required to renew as a Registered Electrician. The 1st of July 2019 is also the deadline for Registered Electricians who have qualified to the 17th Edition of BS7671 to achieve a qualification in the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018), which will be published on the 2nd of July 2018.
“If you’re working at this level, you should be proud of the time and effort you’ve put into your skills, continuing professional development and professionalism so far,” said Steve Brawley, Chief Executive of the JIB. “These updates to the scheme – backed by employers and employees via ECA and Unite the Union – will raise standards and make the Registered Electrician the industry benchmark in the future.”
Visit www.ecscard.org.uk/new-rules for more information.
