A section-by-section walkthrough of the Minor Works Certificate. Covers every field — description of work, installation details, essential test results, next inspection date, and the declaration. Includes common mistakes and real examples of minor works.
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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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A Minor Works Certificate is one of the three standard electrical certificates defined in BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Appendix 6. It is the simplest of the three and is used to certify minor electrical work — work that does not involve the installation of a new circuit at the distribution board.
The other two certificates are the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), which is used for new circuits and major installation work, and the EICR, which is used for periodic inspection and testing of existing installations.
The Minor Works Certificate is a single-page document that combines the description of work, the essential test results, and the declaration into a concise format. Despite its simplicity, it is a formal certification document — and completing it correctly is essential for professional standards and legal protection.
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Minor works is defined as work that does not involve the installation of a new circuit. The work must be an addition or alteration to an existing circuit. Here are common examples:
For a full comparison, see the Minor Works vs EIC guide.
Part 1 of the Minor Works Certificate is where you describe the work carried out and record the installation details. This section must be specific enough that another electrician reading the certificate would understand exactly what was done and where.
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Part 2 is the most technically important section. You must record the results of the essential tests carried out on the circuit you worked on. Every test field must be completed — blank fields are a red flag for scheme providers and indicate either that the test was not done or the result was not recorded.
Measure the continuity of the circuit protective conductor (CPC) using a low-resistance ohmmeter. Record the R1+R2 value in ohms. For a ring circuit, you should also verify ring continuity. The value should be consistent with the cable type and length — typical values for domestic circuits range from 0.1 to 1.5 ohms depending on cable size and length.
Test insulation resistance at 500V DC between live conductors and earth (L-E and N-E), and between live conductors (L-N). The minimum acceptable value is 1.0 megohm, but readings below 2.0 megohms warrant investigation. Typical healthy circuits read well above 100 megohms. Record the result in megohms. Ensure all loads are disconnected and all switches are in the on position during the test. For more detail, see the insulation resistance testing guide.
Verify correct polarity at the point of work. The line conductor must be connected to the switch contact of single-pole switches and to the correct terminal of socket outlets. Polarity can be confirmed using the R1+R2 continuity test (by testing from the distribution board with known polarity) or with a socket tester and a visual check. Record as "Confirmed" or "Correct".
Measure the earth fault loop impedance at the furthest point of the circuit or at the point of work. Record the Zs value in ohms. This value must not exceed the maximum permitted Zs for the protective device type and rating — for example, a 32A Type B MCB has a maximum Zs of 1.37 ohms (at ambient temperature, multiply the tabulated value by 0.8 to get the on-site limit: 1.37 x 0.8 = 1.10 ohms). Elec-Mate automatically checks your Zs values against the correct BS 7671 table.
If the circuit is protected by an RCD (or RCBO), test and record the operating time. A 30 mA RCD must trip within 300 ms at rated residual current (1x) and within 40 ms at five times rated residual current (5x = 150 mA). Record both the 1x and 5x results. If the circuit has no RCD protection, record "N/A" — do not leave it blank.
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Start free trialPart 3 requires you to recommend a date for the next inspection of the installation. This is a recommendation, not a requirement — you are advising the client on when the installation should next be inspected and tested.
The recommended intervals from IET Guidance Note 3 (GN3) are:
If the existing installation already has an EICR with a recommended next inspection date, you should reference that date rather than setting a new one. The minor works you have carried out does not change the overall inspection interval for the installation.
Part 4 is the declaration. By signing, you are certifying that the minor work described in Part 1 has been designed, constructed, inspected, and tested in accordance with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, and that the work complies with the standard to the best of your knowledge and belief.
Unlike the EIC, which has three separate signatures (design, construction, inspection and testing), the Minor Works Certificate has a single combined declaration. This reflects the simpler nature of the work — minor works is typically designed, installed, and tested by the same person.
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Try it free for 7 daysMinor Works Certificates are simpler than EICs, but they still attract common errors. Scheme providers regularly flag the following issues during audits:
The most common mistake. If the work involves a new circuit at the distribution board, an EIC is required — not a Minor Works Certificate. Consumer unit changes, new cooker circuits, new EV charger circuits, and new circuits for extensions all require an EIC. Using the wrong certificate type can result in rejection by the scheme provider and disciplinary action.
Every test field must be completed. If a test is not applicable (for example, RCD operating time on a circuit without RCD protection), record "N/A" — do not leave the field blank. Blank fields suggest the test was not carried out, which is a compliance issue.
"Fitted socket" or "added spur" is not sufficient. Describe the work precisely: what was installed, where it was installed, which circuit it was connected to, the cable type and size used, and the method of connection (junction box, spur from existing socket, etc.). A good description enables another electrician to understand and verify the work from the certificate alone.
The type and rating of the protective device for the circuit must be recorded. This is essential for verifying that the Zs value is within the permitted maximum for that device. A Zs of 1.2 ohms might be acceptable for one device but not another — without recording the device details, the test result cannot be verified.
BS 7671 requires that the certificate be given to the person ordering the work. Completing a Minor Works Certificate and filing it in your own records without providing a copy to the client does not meet the requirement. Digital certificates make this easy — you can email or WhatsApp the PDF before you leave site.
Follow these steps to complete a Minor Works Certificate correctly. Each step corresponds to a section of the BS 7671 Appendix 6 model form.
Write a clear, specific description of the work carried out — what was installed, where, on which circuit, using what cable type and size, and the method of connection. Record the installation address, the date of the work, the earthing arrangement (TN-S, TN-C-S, or TT), and the type and rating of the protective device for the circuit (e.g., 32A Type B MCB, 20A Type A RCBO).
Test and record: continuity of protective conductors (R1+R2 in ohms), insulation resistance at 500V DC (in megohms, minimum 1.0 megohm acceptable), polarity (confirmed correct), earth fault loop impedance Zs (in ohms, must not exceed the maximum permitted for the protective device), and RCD operating time (in milliseconds at 1x and 5x rated current, or N/A if no RCD). Use a calibrated multifunction tester.
Enter the recommended date for the next periodic inspection. Refer to IET Guidance Note 3 for intervals: 10 years for owner-occupied domestic, 5 years for rented or commercial, 3 years for industrial. If the installation already has an EICR with a recommended next inspection date, reference that date.
Enter your full name, company name, scheme registration number (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, etc.), and the date. Sign the declaration — by signing, you certify that the work has been designed, constructed, inspected, and tested in accordance with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026.
Provide a copy of the completed Minor Works Certificate to the person who ordered the work. This is a requirement of BS 7671 Regulation 644.3. With Elec-Mate, you can export a professional PDF and email or WhatsApp it to the client before you leave site. Retain your own copy for at least six years.
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