NICEIC vs NAPIT vs ELECSA vs STROMA: Honest Comparison for Electricians

Choosing a competent person scheme is one of the most important business decisions you make as an electrician. It affects your credibility with customers, your annual costs, your assessment experience, and how you market your business.

The good news: all four government-authorised schemes (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, and STROMA) give you the same legal authority to self-certify electrical work under Part P. All four are equally authorised under the same legislation — Building Regulations Part P in England, Building Standards in Scotland. There is no "better" scheme in terms of what you can legally do. The differences are commercial: brand recognition, cost, assessment approach, and additional services.

This guide gives you an honest comparison to help you decide which scheme is right for your business.

NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) is the oldest and most recognised electrical scheme. It has been operating since 1956 and is part of Certsure — a joint venture between NICEIC Group Ltd and ECA (Electrical Contractors' Association) — which also operates ELECSA. This shared ownership is important to understand: NICEIC and ELECSA use the same assessment framework and standards. Choosing ELECSA over NICEIC is primarily a cost and branding decision, not a difference in assessment rigour.

NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) is a multi-trade competent person scheme that covers electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation work.

ELECSA is operated by Certsure — the same joint venture (NICEIC Group Ltd and ECA) that operates NICEIC. This is a genuine differentiator worth understanding: because NICEIC and ELECSA share the same parent organisation, their assessment standards are largely identical. An ELECSA assessment is conducted to the same framework as an NICEIC assessment. The primary difference is the brand name on your van and the annual fee you pay.

STROMA is a fourth government-authorised competent person scheme for electrical work. It is an Ofqual-regulated body that originally operated in the energy performance certificate sector before expanding into electrical installation work. STROMA is equally authorised under the same legislation as NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA — a compliance certificate from a STROMA-registered electrician carries exactly the same legal weight.

All four schemes are equally authorised under the same legislation. Choosing between them is primarily a matter of cost, service, and personal preference.

Annual fees vary and are reviewed by each scheme periodically. The figures above are typical ranges for 2026 — electricians should check the current provider websites for exact pricing before applying. First-year costs are typically higher due to the initial assessment fee. All costs are tax-deductible as a business expense.

All four schemes require annual assessment visits. The assessment covers the same core areas: site inspection of recent work, documentation review (EICs, EICRs, minor works), qualification and insurance verification.

Anecdotally, electricians report that NAPIT assessments tend to be more conversational and collaborative, while NICEIC assessments can be more formal and checklist-driven. ELECSA assessments follow the same framework as NICEIC (both are Certsure schemes with identical assessment standards). STROMA assessments are broadly comparable. However, the experience varies significantly by individual assessor — a good assessor from any scheme will be professional, fair, and helpful.

The most important thing is that your work and documentation are up to standard. If your installations comply with BS 7671 and your certificates are completed correctly, you will pass any scheme's assessment.

There is no wrong answer. All four schemes are legitimate, equally government-authorised, and respected within the industry. All four carry the same legal weight under Part P. Pick the one that best fits your business model and budget.

If you are already a member of one scheme and want to switch, the process is straightforward:

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