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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!

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    CPSs are for notifiable domestic work. So as already mentioned, if you are not a member, you might have to turn down new circuits and DB changes. Whether you would do enough to justify several £100 per year subscription is for you to decide.

    It certainly used to be a lot more difficult to get a Gold Card than join a CPS. The Gold Card may (I don't know) open doors for commercial and industrial work, but judging from my local high street right now, there must be plenty of work in refitting commercial premises. You do not need to be a member of a CPS for that.

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  • 0

    CPSs are for notifiable domestic work. So as already mentioned, if you are not a member, you might have to turn down new circuits and DB changes. Whether you would do enough to justify several £100 per year subscription is for you to decide.

    It certainly used to be a lot more difficult to get a Gold Card than join a CPS. The Gold Card may (I don't know) open doors for commercial and industrial work, but judging from my local high street right now, there must be plenty of work in refitting commercial premises. You do not need to be a member of a CPS for that.

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