Both are government-approved. Both let you self-certify Part P work. Both are respected by clients. So which one should you choose? This guide compares NICEIC and NAPIT head-to-head — costs, assessments, reputation, and practical differences — so you can make an informed decision.
Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians
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.
1,000+
UK electricians
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical
A Competent Person Scheme (CPS) is a government-approved programme that allows registered tradespeople to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations — without needing to involve the local authority Building Control. For electricians in England and Wales, this means you can carry out notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations and self-certify it through your scheme.
The two largest and most widely recognised competent person schemes for electricians in the UK are NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) and NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers). A third significant scheme is ELECSA, which is now part of the ECA (Electrical Contractors' Association) group.
Registration with any of these schemes demonstrates to clients, employers, and regulatory bodies that you are qualified, competent, and regularly assessed. It is one of the most important steps in establishing yourself as a professional electrician, whether you are self-employed or working for a contractor.
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.
NICEIC was established in 1956 and is the oldest and largest competent person scheme for electricians in the UK. It has approximately 40,000 registered contractors and is widely recognised by consumers, letting agents, landlords, and insurance companies.
NAPIT was established in 1992 and has grown rapidly to become the second-largest competent person scheme for electricians. It has approximately 8,000 to 10,000 registered electrical contractors and is well-regarded within the trade for its competitive pricing and contractor-friendly approach.
Cost is one of the biggest factors in choosing a scheme. Here is a side-by-side comparison of typical costs for 2026:
Over a 5-year period, the total cost of either scheme depends on which tier you choose and any additional disciplines. Cost should not be the only factor — consider the value each scheme provides in terms of consumer leads, technical support, and brand recognition. Always check the latest fee sheets from both schemes before making your decision.
Both NICEIC and NAPIT conduct periodic assessments to verify that registered contractors are maintaining standards. The process is broadly similar, but there are some differences:
Elec-Mate creates professional, BS 7671-compliant certificates with complete test results. When the assessor reviews your paperwork…
Try it free for 7 days
16 certificate types, 70+ calculators, RAMS, quoting, invoicing, AI agents, and 46+ training courses — from £6.99/mo.
Start free trialReputation matters when choosing a scheme, particularly if you are a self-employed electrician who relies on consumer trust for work:
NICEIC has the highest consumer recognition of any electrical scheme. The name carries weight with homeowners, landlords, letting agents, and insurance companies. The "NICEIC Approved" badge on your van, website, and business cards instantly signals credibility. Many commercial main contractors and facilities management companies specify NICEIC registration as a requirement for subcontractors. The Platinum Promise guarantee adds an extra layer of consumer confidence.
NAPIT has strong recognition within the trade and is fully accepted by all regulatory bodies, Building Control, and the vast majority of clients. Consumer recognition is growing but remains behind NICEIC. Within the trade itself, NAPIT is well-respected — many electricians consider it the "electricians' choice" due to its competitive pricing and practical approach. Most landlords, letting agents, and commercial clients accept NAPIT registration without question.
In practice, the reputation difference is narrowing year on year. Ten years ago, NICEIC had a clear advantage in consumer recognition. Today, most consumers check that an electrician is "registered with a competent person scheme" rather than specifically asking for NICEIC. The legal authority of both schemes is identical.
Both schemes offer multiple registration categories to match your type of work:
If you only do domestic work, the Domestic Installer category from either scheme is sufficient. If you do both domestic and commercial work, you need the Approved Contractor (NICEIC) or Full Scope (NAPIT) category. Upgrading from domestic-only to full scope typically requires an additional assessment and higher annual fees.
Switching schemes is straightforward and more common than you might think. Here is the process:
Common reasons for switching include cost savings, dissatisfaction with the assessment process, better customer service from the alternative scheme, or a change in your type of work that makes a different scheme category more appropriate.
Some electricians register with both NICEIC and NAPIT simultaneously. Is this worth the extra cost?
For most electricians, single registration with either NICEIC or NAPIT is sufficient. Dual registration is only worth considering if you regularly encounter clients or contracts that specifically require one scheme over the other — which is rare in domestic work and uncommon even in commercial work.
Elec-Mate produces professional, BS 7671-compliant certificates with full test schedules. Whether your assessor is from NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA…
Try it free for 7 daysVerified reviews from the UK App Store.
Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.
I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.
Real feedback from real sparks
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer
Sole Trader · DP Electrical
“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”
Nathan Perry
Electrician · NP Electrical Services
“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”
Jake Pizey
3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice
Elec-Mate creates BS 7671-compliant EICs, MEIWCs, and EICRs that pass any scheme assessment. Digital, professional, and always accessible. Join 1,000+ UK electricians. 7-day free trial.
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer, DP Electrical
From £6.99/mo after trial — less than a coffee a week
We use cookies to improve the app and measure what works. Cookie Policy