Competent Person Scheme: Electrical Registration in the UK

A competent person scheme (CPS) is a government-authorised programme that allows registered businesses to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations. For electricians, this means you can carry out notifiable electrical work under Approved Document P and certify it yourself, without needing a separate building control inspection.

The concept was introduced alongside Part P in 2005. The government recognised that requiring building control to inspect every notifiable electrical job would be impractical and expensive. Competent person schemes provide a proportionate alternative: electricians who demonstrate competence through assessment can be trusted to self-certify their own work.

When a registered electrician completes notifiable work, they issue the appropriate certificate (EIC or Minor Works) and submit a notification to their scheme provider. The scheme provider forwards this to the local authority building control department, who issue a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate to the homeowner. The process is largely automated and the homeowner receives their certificate within a few weeks.

Being registered with a competent person scheme is not the same as being "qualified." Qualifications demonstrate knowledge; scheme registration demonstrates that a business has been assessed and found to be competent to carry out electrical work to the required standard. The assessment includes reviewing completed work, checking test results, and confirming technical knowledge.

Registration with a competent person scheme offers significant practical and commercial benefits:

The cost of registration (typically £350 to £700 per year) is quickly offset by the savings on building control fees. A single notifiable job through the building control route costs the homeowner £250 to £400. If you do just two or three notifiable jobs per year, scheme registration pays for itself.

All four schemes are equally valid for Part P self-certification. The choice is a business decision based on cost, brand recognition, and personal preference. BRE Certification is a further government-authorised option and is also valid, though less widely used than the four schemes above.

NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) is the largest and best-known competent person scheme for electrical work in the UK. It has been operating since 1956 — predating Part P by almost 50 years. The NICEIC brand is widely recognised by consumers, which can be a commercial advantage.

NICEIC offers several registration tiers:

NICEIC assessments are thorough. The assessor visits your premises and inspects a sample of recent work. They check certificates, test results, workmanship, and technical knowledge. The assessment frequency is typically annual, with additional spot checks possible.

NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) is the second-largest competent person scheme and is known for competitive pricing and an accessible registration process. Many electricians choose NAPIT as a cost-effective alternative to NICEIC.

NAPIT offers a similar range of registration options: domestic installer, full-scope electrical, and specialist certifications. The assessment process covers the same ground as NICEIC — inspection of completed work, review of certificates, equipment checks, and technical questions.

NAPIT also covers multiple building trades beyond electrical work (plumbing, gas, building fabric), which can be useful for multi-trade businesses. Registration fees are generally at the lower end of the range, making it attractive for sole traders and small businesses.

ELECSA is a competent person scheme operated under the umbrella of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). It offers a straightforward registration process and is well-regarded in the industry.

ELECSA provides domestic installer registration for Part P self-certification, along with additional certifications for specialist areas. Being part of the ECA group gives ELECSA members access to ECA benefits including technical guidance, contract support, and industry representation.

The assessment process is similar to the other schemes: practical inspection of completed work, certificate review, and technical competence verification. ELECSA is a solid choice for electricians who value the ECA connection and its associated benefits.

STROMA is a government-authorised competent person scheme operator covering electrical installation alongside a strong focus on renewables, EV charging, and energy efficiency. It is one of the four main scheme operators alongside NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA, and is equally valid for Part P self-certification of notifiable domestic electrical work.

STROMA is particularly well-regarded for electricians who also carry out solar PV, battery storage, or EV charge point installations, as the scheme covers these specialist areas alongside domestic electrical work. Fees are competitive, and the registration process follows the same practical assessment model as the other schemes.

BRE Certification is a further government-authorised option for electrical work. It is valid for Part P self-certification but is less widely used than the four main schemes above. Fees are competitive and it may suit electricians who want a lower-profile registration at a reasonable cost.

The entire process from application to registration typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the scheme's assessment schedule and your availability for the site visit.

The total cost of competent person scheme registration includes several components:

These costs are tax-deductible business expenses. The return on investment is clear: if you do three or more notifiable jobs per year, the scheme fee is less than the building control fees you would otherwise pass to customers (or absorb yourself). Most active domestic electricians do far more than three notifiable jobs annually.

The assessment is the most important part of the registration process. It is a practical assessment of your competence, not an academic exam. Here is what to expect:

If you produce good quality work, keep accurate records, and maintain your equipment, the assessment should be straightforward. The assessor is not trying to catch you out — they want to confirm that you are competent and that the scheme can trust you to self-certify.

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