A detailed 2026 comparison of NICEIC and NAPIT, the two largest competent person schemes for UK electricians. Both let you self-certify Part P work and are equivalent in industry recognition — but cost, assessor availability, and contractor support differ. This guide is for electricians applying for their first scheme membership or considering switching.
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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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Established 1956, the original UK electrical scheme. Largest market share. Strong contractor portal with technical helpline. Extra paid services available (training, CPD courses, NICEIC Pocket Guide). Initial assessment: ~£300-500. Annual audit: included in subscription. NICEIC certification carries strong brand recognition with insurers and homeowners.
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.
Established 1992. Second-largest UK electrical scheme. Equivalent regulatory recognition. NAPIT Direct CRM integrated with member dashboard. NAPIT also covers gas, plumbing, ventilation under separate scheme memberships — useful for multi-trade contractors. Initial assessment: ~£280-450. Annual audit: included.
Annual fee: NICEIC ~£550 / NAPIT ~£480. Initial assessment: NICEIC £300-500 / NAPIT £280-450. Market share: NICEIC ~55% / NAPIT ~25%. Self-certification of Part P: both. Technical helpline: both. Insurance broker recognition: both equally recognised. Choose NICEIC if your area has a NICEIC assessor closer + your insurer specifies. Choose NAPIT if you want multi-trade scheme membership + slightly lower fees.
Apply via the scheme’s online portal. Submit: your qualifications (Level 3 / AM2 / 18th Edition / 2391 or equivalent), insurance certificates, sample of certified work (typically 5-10 certified jobs), QMS / health and safety documentation. Wait for assessor visit (4-12 weeks). Assessor reviews 2-3 sample jobs on site + your paperwork. Pass: scheme membership granted. Annual re-audit thereafter.
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Notification of work via the scheme portal — every Part P notifiable job is notified. Scheme issues the building control compliance certificate. Annual audit visit (typically 2-4 hours on site). Pay attention to: scheme correspondence (deadlines for renewal, audit dates), MTR (Minor Works) and EIC paperwork standards, customer-facing scheme branding (you can use the logo).
Allowed but typically only at annual renewal. Your existing scheme will not refund the year. Switching takes a fresh initial assessment with the new scheme. Most contractors who switch do so because: insurer recommendation changed, local assessor availability issues, scheme portal experience, or cost. Switching does NOT affect your industry recognition — both schemes are equivalent.
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A focused action plan based on the guide above.
Get familiar with every section before acting. Skim first, then read carefully — the details matter.
Most readers will have one specific area to act on first (registration, insurance, hiring, pricing). Pick one and focus there.
Inertia is the biggest barrier. Whether it’s phoning your accountant, getting an insurance quote, or applying to a scheme — do one concrete thing this week.
Elec-Mate’s business dashboard lets you track scheme status, insurance renewal dates, apprentice progress, and quoting performance — all in one place.
Most business operations decisions need a 90-day review. Did the action work? Adjust and try the next thing.
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