An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is required for all new electrical work — new circuits, rewires, alterations, consumer unit changes, and any work notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. This guide covers every scenario, who can issue one, and what must be included.
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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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An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is the formal document issued upon completion of new electrical installation work. It certifies that the design, construction, and inspection and testing of the new work comply with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 — the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations with Amendment 4.
The EIC is defined in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 and follows the model forms published in the standard. It is the most comprehensive of the three electrical certificates — the EIC, the Minor Works Certificate, and the EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report). The EIC covers the design, the construction (installation), and the inspection and testing of the completed work, making it a complete record of compliance.
Issuing an EIC is not optional. BS 7671 Regulation 644.3 requires that an EIC, together with a schedule of inspections and a schedule of test results, be given to the person ordering the work upon completion of the installation. This applies to all new installation work, regardless of size.
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An EIC is required whenever new electrical installation work is carried out. This includes a wide range of scenarios — from a single new circuit to a complete house rewire. The key principle is simple: if the work involves a new circuit or a new installation, an EIC is needed.
Any new circuit added to an installation requires an EIC. This includes a new radial circuit for a cooker, a new ring final circuit for sockets, a new lighting circuit, a dedicated circuit for an EV charger, an immersion heater circuit, or a spur taken from the consumer unit as a new circuit. If the cable originates from the distribution board as a new way, it is a new circuit.
A full rewire of a property — whether domestic, commercial, or industrial — requires an EIC. The certificate must cover every circuit in the installation, with a complete schedule of test results. This is typically the largest EIC you will produce, as it may cover 15 to 30 or more circuits across multiple distribution boards.
Replacing a consumer unit always requires an EIC — even if it is a like-for-like replacement. This is because the consumer unit is the main distribution board, and its replacement constitutes notifiable work under Part P. The EIC must include test results for every circuit connected to the new board.
All electrical work in a new build requires an EIC. House extensions with new circuits require an EIC for those new circuits. Loft conversions, garage conversions, and garden room installations that involve new circuits are all covered. If the extension ties into the existing installation, the EIC should clearly describe the extent of the new work versus the existing installation.
Kitchen refits, bathroom rewires, and commercial fit-outs that involve new circuits require an EIC for the new work. If the alteration is extensive enough to involve a new sub-distribution board, the EIC must cover that board and all circuits fed from it.
In England and Wales, all notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations requires an EIC. This includes any new circuit in a dwelling, any work in a kitchen or bathroom involving new circuits, any work in a special location (bathrooms, swimming pools), and any consumer unit replacement. The EIC is the evidence of compliance submitted to the competent person scheme or building control.
There are situations where a full EIC is not required. In these cases, a Minor Works Certificate is the appropriate document. The key distinction is that a Minor Works Certificate is used for work that does not involve a new circuit.
Replacing a socket outlet, light switch, ceiling rose, or other accessory on a like-for-like basis does not require an EIC. A Minor Works Certificate covers this type of work. However, if the accessory is being replaced with something materially different — for example, replacing a single socket with a double, or adding a dimmer where there was a switch — it may still be minor works, but the electrician should verify that the existing circuit can accommodate the change.
Adding a fused spur or unfused spur from an existing circuit is classed as minor work, provided it does not create a new circuit at the distribution board. A Minor Works Certificate is appropriate. However, if the spur is extensive or involves work in a special location (such as a bathroom), it may still be notifiable under Part P.
Replacing a light fitting for another (like-for-like or upgrade) does not require an EIC. If it involves only disconnecting and reconnecting at the same point, it is minor work. No certificate at all is strictly required for a simple like-for-like accessory change, though many electricians issue a Minor Works Certificate as good practice and for their own records.
For a detailed comparison of when to use each certificate, see the Minor Works vs EIC guide.
An EIC can only be issued by a competent person. BS 7671 defines competence as having sufficient technical knowledge, skill, and experience to avoid danger. In practical terms, this means the person issuing the EIC should hold the following qualifications:
While there is no legal restriction on who can fill in an EIC form, the person signing the declaration is certifying that the work complies with BS 7671. Signing an EIC without the competence to verify compliance is irresponsible and could result in liability if a fault or incident occurs.
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The EIC model form in BS 7671 Appendix 6 has clearly defined sections that must all be completed. Incomplete certificates are regularly rejected by competent person scheme providers and can create legal liability for the electrician.
Client name and address, installation address (if different), description of the work, the extent of the installation covered by the certificate, and the date the work was completed.
Confirmation that the design complies with BS 7671. This section must be signed by the designer — the person who determined the cable sizes, protective device ratings, earthing arrangements, RCD selection, and circuit configurations.
Confirmation that the construction of the installation complies with BS 7671 and the design. This section must be signed by the installer — the person who carried out the physical installation work.
Confirmation that the installation has been inspected and tested in accordance with BS 7671 and that the results confirm compliance. This section must be signed by the inspector — the person who carried out the inspection and testing.
A complete schedule listing every circuit with test results: continuity of protective conductors (R1+R2), insulation resistance (in megohms), polarity, earth fault loop impedance (Zs), prospective fault current (Ipf), and RCD operating times. Every circuit must have results recorded — no gaps.
A checklist of visual inspection items covering the condition and compliance of all aspects of the installation — wiring systems, protective devices, earthing, bonding, accessories, and enclosures.
The EIC requires three separate signatures — one for design, one for construction, and one for inspection and testing. This reflects the three distinct roles involved in a new electrical installation. On larger commercial and industrial projects, these roles are often filled by different people. On most domestic jobs, however, the same electrician designs, installs, and tests the work, and therefore signs all three sections.
The designer certifies that the design of the installation complies with BS 7671. This covers cable sizing, protective device selection, earthing arrangements, RCD coordination, circuit layouts, and all design calculations. The designer must have the technical knowledge to verify that the design meets the standard.
The constructor certifies that the installation has been constructed in accordance with BS 7671 and in line with the design. This covers cable routing, connections, terminations, fixings, labelling, and all physical aspects of the installation. If the installation departs from the design, the constructor must ensure the departures are documented and still comply with the standard.
The inspector certifies that the installation has been inspected and tested in accordance with BS 7671 Part 6, and that the results confirm compliance with the standard. This person is responsible for the accuracy of all test results recorded on the schedule. They must hold an inspection and testing qualification (such as C&G 2391).
Each signature carries legal and professional weight. The person signing is personally certifying compliance in their area of responsibility. If a fault or incident is later traced to a design error, the designer may be liable. If it is traced to poor installation practice, the constructor may be liable. If test results were recorded incorrectly, the inspector may be liable.
Elec-Mate captures all three signatures digitally on your phone or tablet. The designer, constructor, and inspector each sign on-screen.
Try it free for 7 daysElec-Mate provides the complete Electrical Installation Certificate as a digital form on your phone or tablet. Every section of the BS 7671 Appendix 6 model form is included — details of the installation, design, construction, inspection and testing, schedule of inspections, and schedule of test results. Nothing is missing and nothing is out of order.
Every test result is validated against BS 7671 maximum permitted values as you enter it. Zs values are checked against the correct table for the protective device type and rating. Insulation resistance values are verified against the minimum acceptable limits. RCD operating times are checked against the required disconnection times. If a value fails, you are alerted immediately — not days later when the scheme provider reviews it.
Photograph the consumer unit and Elec-Mate's AI extracts all circuit data — circuit numbers, MCB/RCBO ratings, RCD types, and circuit descriptions. This auto-populates the schedule of test results, saving you from typing every circuit manually. Particularly useful for consumer unit changes where you need to record all existing circuits.
Generate a clean, professional PDF that meets competent person scheme requirements. Email it directly to the client from the app before you leave site, or share via WhatsApp. No need to go back to the office to type up a paper form. The PDF includes all sections, digital signatures, and a complete schedule of test results.
Elec-Mate has 16 certificate types including the full EIC, Minor Works, EICR, EV Charger, Emergency Lighting, Fire Alarm, Solar PV, and PAT.
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