Take a look at our categories below to see if you can find the answer to some of our most common questions.
The ECS is keen to support its cardholders who are looking for advice on 18 th Edition training, assessment and possible funding opportunities. Take a look at this page which gives advice on what to consider when looking at training and the options around assessment only if you feel you may not need to attend a formal training course.
An ongoing misconception arising from the survey is that people still believe that they will ‘lose’ their gold card if they do not gain the 18 th Edition. Providing that their card is kept up to date and not lapsed for longer than 12 months from 01 July, they can continue to renew their card as normal. See this article for more details.
These dates only apply to those who have the words ‘Registered Electrician’ along the bottom of their card. This is a separate status that the cardholder will have signed up to since October 2017. For other gold card holders, the existing rules about renewal apply – see a summary of these changes.
If you are an ECS Registered Electrician and renew your card after 01 January 2020, but do not submit a BS7671:2018 qualification by the expiry deadline, you will continue to hold a valid ECS card, but it will not include the words ‘Registered Electrician’ or the BS7671 mark on the bottom right.
If you subsequently obtain BS7671:2018 and upload the qualification to your MyECS account, the Registered Electrician status will visible on your virtual ECS card and on ECS Check free of charge.
If you also then wish to replace your printed ECS card to show the restoration of your ECS Registered Electrician status, you can do so at a discounted cost of £10 plus VAT.
Once you have your 18 th Edition certificate it can be uploaded to your MyECS account as part of your renewal application.
When Registered Electrician status was launched in October 2017, the ECS set a deadline of 01 July 2019 for ECS Registered Electricians to obtain BS7671:2018 (the 18 th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations).
A recent survey of ECS Registered Electricians who have not yet obtained BS7671:2018 revealed that whilst some are in the process of gaining their 18 th Edition, demand for courses is high with some waiting a number of weeks for placements. There is also clear concern about the cost of courses, qualification fees and loss of earnings whilst training.
Whilst the JIB is keen to drive up standards, it also recognises external influences that affect cardholders and, in light of this, the deadline has been changed to take these factors into account.
ECS cards are available to anyone who meets the rules and requirements for the card they wish to apply for. Information and requirements for each ECS card are explained on the Card Types page.
If you trained as an electrician prior to 1999, you may be eligible to apply via the ‘Industry Accreditation’ route if you can supply the appropriate evidence.
This process is strictly based on the submission of appropriate qualification certificates, in addition to bona fide references from current and/or past employers.
If you wish to apply in this way, you will also need to hold or obtain a current ECS Health & Safety Certificate, or recognised exemption.
Documents required:
Route 1:
Route 2:
The Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Assessment is designed for electricians that have been working in the industry for many years but have not gained a formal NVQ Level 3. It allows you to show that you meet the full requirements of an ECS Gold Card.
If you trained prior to the introduction of NVQs and can demonstrate that you trained under a recognised apprenticeship in Electrical Installation, you can apply for an Installation Electrician ECS card under the Industry Accredited route. This is done via the normal application route via MyECS. The requirement for the BS7671 qualification and the Health and Safety assessment must also be met.
Experienced Workers with other qualifications
If you do not have an NVQ but have other industry qualifications and experience, you may be able to demonstrate your competence by undertaking the JIB Mature Candidate Assessment. You will need to take this assessment before you make an application for an Installation Electrician ECS card.
New Entrants
To meet the requirements of an Installation Electrician ECS card in the future, new entrants to the industry will need to take the full Level 3 NVQ. The new qualification required by new entrants to the industry is the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical systems and equipment (building structures and the environment) which is part of the industry apprenticeship and widely available training providers and colleges.
Yes – you can hold a card in different application types - for instance a Craft card and a Manager card. You will need to make two separate applications via the same MyECS account.
The most straightforward way to apply for a card is online via MyECS. Via MyECS you can upload all relevant documents and evidence, and can track your application as it progresses.
In order for the scheme to be robust, we need to carefully check each applicant’s qualifications and training – the only way of proving that an applicant has a particular qualification is by seeing the certificate that has been awarded. Unfortunately we cannot take an applicant’s word or promise that they hold a particular qualification, as it opens the scheme up for abuse and fraudulent card applications.
JIB Recognition of the Electrotechnical Qualification (Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standard for Installation Electrician and Maintenance Electrician)
The qualification combination of the Electrotechnical Qualification (Installation or Maintenance) (available from EAL 601/7345/2 and C&G 601/6299/5) and the AM2 is not recognised by the JIB for the issue of an ECS card.
The JIB recognises the Electrotechnical Qualification when achieved as part of the Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Standard (with the requirement of the AM2S) as a qualification pathway in the JIB 2017 Apprenticeship Scheme, the JIB 2017 Craft Training Scheme or a formal industry recognised apprenticeship framework certificated by one of the UK devolved administrations.