Everything you need to know about the C&G 2382-22 exam — the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations qualification. Exam format, open book rules, proven study tips, common fail areas, and your next steps after passing.
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Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
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The City & Guilds 2382 is the industry-standard exam on BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 — the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. It is the qualification that proves you understand the regulations governing electrical installations in the UK.
Almost every electrician in the UK needs it. You cannot join a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or STROMA) without it. Most employers require it. The ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) card requires it. If you want to self-certify your own work under Part P of the Building Regulations, you need it.
The current version is the 2382-22, which covers the 18th Edition including Amendment 4 (published in 2024). If you hold an older version (2382-18 or 2382-15), you may need to update depending on your competent person scheme requirements.
This guide covers the exam format, what you can bring into the exam, study tips from electricians who have passed, the most common fail areas, and what to do after you pass.
Every key change in the 2026 amendment on one page. AFDDs, TN-C-S protection, new schedule columns, model forms. Pinned on your van dash.
The 2382-22 exam is a multiple-choice, open-book examination. Here are the key details:
Questions are drawn from across the entire BS 7671, but certain sections are tested more heavily: Part 4 (Protection for Safety), Part 5 (Selection and Erection of Equipment), Part 6 (Inspection and Testing), and the Appendices (especially Appendix 4 for cable sizing).
The 2382 is an open-book exam, which means you can bring reference materials into the exam room. This is a significant advantage — but only if you know how to use your books efficiently.
The most effective approach is to tab the key sections you know you will need to find quickly: Appendix 4 tables, Part 4 (especially Chapter 41 for disconnection times), Part 6 (inspection and testing), and the index. Use different colour tabs for different sections. Highlight key regulation numbers so they stand out on the page.
The 2382 is a navigation exam as much as a knowledge exam. You do not need to memorise every regulation — you need to find the right regulation quickly under time pressure. Here is what works:
Set up your tabs on day one — not the day before the exam. Use your tabbed book throughout your study so you become familiar with finding information quickly. Colour code: yellow for Part 4, blue for Part 5, green for Part 6, red for Appendices.
This is the single most important study technique. Set a timer for 2 hours and complete a full 60-question mock. If you cannot finish in time, you need to work on your navigation speed. Most training providers supply mock papers. Aim to complete at least three full mock exams before the real thing.
Cable sizing questions using Appendix 4 appear in almost every exam paper. Practise the method: determine the design current, select the protective device rating, apply correction factors (Ca, Cg, Ci, Cf), calculate the tabulated current (It), and read the table to find the minimum cable size. Use the cable sizing calculator to check your manual calculations.
The exam tests understanding of the regulations, not rote memorisation. If you understand why a regulation exists (for example, why maximum disconnection times differ between TN and TT systems), you can reason through questions even if you cannot find the exact regulation quickly.
Training providers consistently report the same areas tripping up candidates. Focus your revision on these:
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Whether you are attending a classroom course or studying independently, here is a recommended preparation timeline:
Practical advice for exam day:
Congratulations — you have passed the 2382. Here is what typically comes next in your electrical career:
The 2382 is one of the qualifications needed for an ECS card. Combined with your practical qualifications and the AM2, you can apply for a full Installation Electrician card — your ticket to working on commercial and industrial sites.
The C&G 2391 is the natural next step after the 2382. It builds on your knowledge of BS 7671 and teaches you how to inspect and test electrical installations, and how to complete EICs and EICRs. Many electricians take the 2382 and 2391 within a few months of each other.
With the 2382 and the right combination of practical qualifications, you can apply to join NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or STROMA. This allows you to self-certify your own electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Elec-Mate's training modules cover BS 7671 regulation by regulation, with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and AI-powered explanations.
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