Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Helpful Answer
  • Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 35 subscribers
  • Views 1778 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in

Becoming a member of a CPS. do i have to?

Adam Seddon

Hi, I am currently a practicing full time employed maintenance electrician, and a member of the IET. I have started my own limited company now, doing work on the side outside of my main job. I am looking to do work in industrial, commercial and domestic properties. I have completed a full electrical apprenticeship, electrical HNC, C&G 2382-22 (18th ed) and 2391- 52 (initial and periodic insp+test) and more. I am also in the middle of applying for an ECS gold card which I should have no issues obtaining.

I am struggling to understand the way of which I can go about doing electrical work as a self-employed person. Id like to be able to do minor works, CU/DB replacements, EICR’s etc. To my understanding, you have to be part of a CPS (Napit. Niceic etc…) but some electricians have told me otherwise and said that you don’t need to be part of a CPS in order to be able to do this work.

I don't want to find myself on the wrong side of the law and i do pride myself in carrying out great quality work.

The issue I have is that the CPS’s don’t recognise my apprenticeship (EAL level 3 NVQ extended diploma in engineering maintenance (electrical)) (600/2084/2), and want me to do the experienced workers assessment, which I don’t want to do as In my opinion I am already more than highly qualified and experienced enough to be able to do all of this work.

Is there any ways around this problem I am experiencing? I am also seeing tons of conflicting opinions online.

i know you can do the method of paying local building control to check and sign off any work you've done, but i asked them and they said £270 a time!!!! which would make it pointless in me doing bits on the side

bottom line: do I HAVE to be part of a CPS to legally carry out minor works, DB replacements, EICRs. And if the answer is NO, then what are the benefits to being part of a CPS?? And does anyone know a way i can join a CPS with my current qualifications. 

thank you for your time!

Parents
  • 0

    For the few things like CU changes where notification is unavoidable

    Some local authorities will accept paperwork from qualified  folk who can generate their own, and I presume you can rustle up an EIC on demand,  but they do not advertise it, you may need to talk to the person in charge rather than someone who just answers the phone and can parrot the council website. Equally do not overlook the 3rd party verification route, but you do need to be on good terms with the verifier before you start, and agree how much they do or do not wish to inspect/supervise - after all they are under obligation to assure that your work is a standard they would be happy with.

    At different times I have done both of these  - note that  I do almost no domestic, and in these cases this was family and friends stuff..

    Also note, the rules for Wales have a lot more things that are notifiable than England.

    Mike

Reply
  • 0

    For the few things like CU changes where notification is unavoidable

    Some local authorities will accept paperwork from qualified  folk who can generate their own, and I presume you can rustle up an EIC on demand,  but they do not advertise it, you may need to talk to the person in charge rather than someone who just answers the phone and can parrot the council website. Equally do not overlook the 3rd party verification route, but you do need to be on good terms with the verifier before you start, and agree how much they do or do not wish to inspect/supervise - after all they are under obligation to assure that your work is a standard they would be happy with.

    At different times I have done both of these  - note that  I do almost no domestic, and in these cases this was family and friends stuff..

    Also note, the rules for Wales have a lot more things that are notifiable than England.

    Mike

Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines