The mandatory requirement for the Installation Electrician ECS gold card is currently the Level 3 competency based standard (NVQ) in Electrical Installation plus a formal BS7671 qualification in the current edition of the wiring regulations in force when your application is made.
If you trained prior to 1999 and you trained to what was classed as the 'industry-recognised standard' at that time (see below for the criteria), you will be eligible for a gold card application, but you must supply proof of your qualifications and certificates.
If you trained outside the UK you must demonstrate the same qualification standard as UK trained electricians. For details visit the non-UK qualifications page.
Electricians trained through the Royal Engineers RSME should click here for information about the Electrician RSME ECS card.
To be eligible for an ECS Installation Electrician gold card, applicants must meet the following criteria and provide proof of:
| Full Apprenticeship Deeds or Apprentice Completion Certificate | If a formal apprenticeship as an Installation Electrician has been carried out the final signed apprenticeship deeds or the completion certificate which was issued at the end of the apprenticeship programme is needed as evidence. |
| Qualifications for new trainees - starting 1st September 2016 |
Anyone new to the electrical industry will have to complete the technical theory, practical competency and end point assessment (the NET AM2S assessment) of the "Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification" (Installation) Apprenticeship. If the apprenticeship standard or framework is not being followed then the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment), including the NET AM2 is required for anyone applying for an ECS Installation Electrician gold card. |
| Qualifications completed and certificated from 1st September 1999 |
Since 1999 the mandatory requirement has been the industry level 3 knowledge and performance units of the apprenticeship standard in place when the training was taken, for example the level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Installation - Buildings & Structures) or the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment) that includes the NET AM2 assessment or the JIB Mature Candidate Assessment (The Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services Experienced Worker) plus the AM2. If formal training was carried out from 1st September 1996 it is likely that the theory elements of the NVQ training programme have been studied as a separate technical certificate (City & Guilds 2351 OR 2330 Levels two and three OR 2360 Levels two and three). A technical certificate on its own does not meet the full requirements of the industry apprenticeship standard or a Level 3 NVQ. The Experienced Worker Assessment (that includes the Experienced Worker Qualification, BS7671, Inspection and Testing plus the AM2E) is required for anyone who is unable to provide full documented evidence of the industry level 3 competency requirement for an ECS gold card of Installation Electrician. |
| Qualifications completed and certificated between 1st January 1994 and 1st September 1999 | The technical theory qualification, the City & Guilds 2360 Parts One and Two, for which Part 2 has been completed and certificate is dated between 1st January 1994 and 1st September 1999. PLUS the AM2 assessment. Bona fide references from previous and present employers covering the last three years will also be needed. |
| Qualifications completed before 1st January 1994 |
Formal training programmes prior to 1994 will probably have followed an apprenticeship training programme. If this is the case then the final Apprenticeship Deeds or Apprentice Completion Certificate will need to be provided. The Experienced Worker Assessment will be needed if the full apprenticeship documentation cannot be provided with an application. |