Training, qualifications and requirements

To become an Electrician, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

Complete an apprenticeship and gain a

• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering – Electrician for Registration (Level 4), or
• National Certificate in Electricity Supply – Electrician (Level 4), or
• New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4); or
• New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) with strands in General Electrical, and Electricity Supply

OR

Experience pathway

• passed the Electricians’ Theory coursework and written examination
• passed the Electricians’ Regulations coursework and written examination
• completed the Electricians’ 3 stage practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 4 years’ practical training/experience in the work of an Electrician which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become an Electrician (Endorsed Mining) you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

Complete an apprenticeship and gain one of the following Level 4 qualifications:

• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering – Electrician for Registration, or
• National Certificate in Electricity Supply – Electrician, or
• New Zealand Certificate In Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4); or
• New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) with strands in General Electrical, and Electricity Supply, and
• have completed not less than one year of practical experience in a Mining Operation or substantially similar practical experience satisfactory to the Board, and
• have adequate knowledge, training skills and experience that is satisfactory to the Board;

OR

Experience pathway

• Passed the Electricians’ Theory coursework and examination
• Passed the Electricians’ Regulations coursework and examination
• Passed the Electricians’ three stage practical assessment
• Completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• Completed 4 years training/experience in the work of an electrician which is approved as satisfactory to the Board, and
• have completed not less than one year of practical experience in a Mining Operation or substantially similar practical experience satisfactory to the Board, and
• have adequate knowledge, training skills and experience that is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

For both pathways you must also show that you have knowledge, training, skills and experience satisfactory to the Board in;

• the control of earth potential rise
• the use of relocatable mining equipment
• the performance of safety functions required for mining activities and mining electrical equipment, and
• risk management.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

The next step is to prepare your application. This MUST include your relevant National or New Zealand Certificate if applying through the Qualified pathway as well as references from a registered supervisor or employer. The reference must detail the actual electrical work appropriate for an Electrician (Endorsed Mining) you have completed in that role. This should cover at least one year’s experience in a Mining Operation. If you are applying through the Experience pathway, supply references covering 4 years’ experience that includes at least 1 year within a Mining Operation.

Please check the Upgrading your registration class page on our website to make sure that you meet the upgrade requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Upgrading your registration class

Experience pathway

To become an Electrical Installer, you must complete the following requirements:

• passed the Electrical Installers’ Theory coursework and written examination
• passed the Electricians’ Regulations coursework and written examination
• completed the Electricians’ 3 stage practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 2 years practical training/experience in the work of an Electrical Installer, which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

Experience pathway

To become an Electrical Service Technician, you must complete the following requirements:

• passed the Electrical Service Technicians’ coursework and written examination
• passed the Electrical Service Technicians’ practical assessment
• completed a safety training course including safe working practices, testing, basic first aid and CPR, and
• completed 18 months practical training/experience as an Electrical Service Technician which must include at least 6 months training/experience on multi-phase appliances or fittings and experience disconnecting/reconnecting from a power supply.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

Experience pathway

To become an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson, you must complete the following requirements:

• passed the Electrical Appliance Servicepersons’ coursework and written examination
• passed the Electrical Appliance Servicepersons’ practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 18 months practical training/experience in the work of an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson –endorsed to disconnect and reconnect, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• have completed the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrical Appliance and Electronic Servicing) - level 3, OR
• have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (level 3) (service strand only)

OR

Experience pathway

• passed the Electrical Appliance Servicepersons (endorsed) coursework and written examination
• passed the Electrical Appliance Servicepersons (endorsed) practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 18 months practical training/experience in the work of an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and reconnect) which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become a Distribution Line Mechanic, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• complete a Distribution Line Mechanic competence-based training programme and obtained the relevant approved National Certificate or New Zealand Certificate that incorporates the New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply Line Mechanic Distribution (Level 4).

OR

Experience pathway

• passed the Distribution Line Mechanic written examination
• passed the Distribution Line Mechanic practical examination or practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 24 months training/experience in the work of a Distribution Line Mechanic which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become a Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed), you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• complete a Distribution Line Mechanic competence-based training programme and obtained the relevant approved National Certificate or New Zealand Certificate, and
• complete a Board–approved Fault Response competency-based training programme that incorporates the New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply in Fault Response and Switching (Level 4).

Or

Experience pathway

• passed the Distribution Line Mechanic written examination, and
• passed the Distribution Line Mechanic practical examination or practical assessment, and
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 24 months training/experience in the work of a Distribution Line Mechanic which is satisfactory to the Board, and
• completed a Board-approved Fault Response competency-based training programme that incorporates the New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply in Fault Response and Switching.

NOTE: Experience can be obtained under a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications and meet the above criteria, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become a Transmission Line Mechanic, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• complete a Transmission Line Mechanic competence-based training programme and obtained the relevant approved National Certificate or New Zealand Certificate that incorporates the New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply in Transmission Line Maintenance (Level 4).

Or

Experience pathway

• passed a Board approved capstone written examination
• passed a Board approved capstone practical examination or practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 24 months training/experience in the work of a Transmission Line Mechanic which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become a Traction Line Mechanic, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• complete a Traction Line Mechanic competence–based training programme and obtained the relevant approved National Certificate or New Zealand Certificate that incorporates a Traction Line Mechanic Qualification (Level 4).

Or

Experience pathway

• passed a Board approved capstone written examination
• passed a Board approved capstone practical examination or practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 24 months training/experience in the work of a Traction Line Mechanic which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become a Cable Jointer, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• complete a Connexis National Certificate Cable Jointing (old qualifications still valid) or New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Cable Jointer – Level 3) (High Voltage – Level 4), or
• approved National or New Zealand Certificate holders produce the relevant Certificate as confirmation that the relevant coursework, examinations and experience have been completed.

Or

Experience pathway

• passed the Cable Jointers’ written examination
• passed the Cable Jointers’ practical examination or practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 24 months training/ experience in the work of a Cable Jointer which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become a Substation Maintainer, you must complete the following requirements:

Qualified pathway

• completed a Substation Maintainer competence–based training programme and obtained the relevant approved National Certificate or New Zealand Certificate that incorporates the New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply Substation Maintenance (Level 4).

Or

Experience pathway

• passed a Board approved capstone written examination
• passed a Board approved capstone practical examination or practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame, and
• completed 36 months training/experience in the work of a Substation Maintainer which is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

Under Section 74 of the Electricity Act 1992, registration as an Electrical Engineer is required for any persons with relevant engineering qualifications, who wishes to carry out prescribed electrical work.

To become an Electrical Engineer, you must complete the following requirements:

Experience pathway

• holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) qualification or a National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) (Level 6), or New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Electrical); OR
• an equivalent qualification as determined by either the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

AND

• completed approved safety training within the prescribed timeframe
• passed a Board approved Electricians’ Regulations coursework and written examination
• passed a Board approved Electricians’ 3 stage practical assessments, and
• completed not less than one year of practical experience in carrying out prescribed electrical work that is satisfactory to the Board.

NOTE: Any New Zealand experience you have must have been while you had a Limited Certificate.

Please note: Only “Electrical” engineering degrees are accepted.

Design work is not Prescribed Electrical Work (PEW) and does not require EWRB Registration.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence. If your Electrical Engineering degree or diploma is from overseas, please also supply an evaluation from either Engineering New Zealand or NZQA to confirm the equivalency of your qualification.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply

To become an Electrical Inspector, you must complete the following requirements:

Experience pathway

• passed a Board approved Electrical Inspectors’ coursework and written examination
• passed a Board approved Electrical Inspectors’ practical assessment
• completed approved safety training within the timeframe, and
• been registered as an Electrician for not less than three years; and completed not less than three years practical experience in carrying out prescribed electrical work that is satisfactory to the Board.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above requirements, you may be ready to apply for registration to upgrade to Inspector.

Please check the Upgrading your registration class page on our website to make sure that you meet the upgrade requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Upgrading your registration class

To become an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining), you must complete the following requirements:

Experience pathway

Option 1

• been registered as an Electrical Inspector
• have completed not less than one year of practical experience in a Mining Operation or substantially similar practical experience satisfactory to the Board, and
• have adequate knowledge, training skills and experience that is satisfactory to the Board.

OR

Option 2

• have passed a Board approved Electrical Inspectors’ coursework and written examination
• passed a Board approved Electrical Inspectors’ practical assessment
• been registered as an Electrician for not less than three years and completed not less than three years of practical experience in a Mining Operation or substantially similar practical experience satisfactory to the Board.

For both pathways you must also show that you have adequate knowledge, training, skills and experience satisfactory to the Board of;

• the control of earth potential rise
• the use of relocatable mining equipment
• the performance of safety functions required for mining activities and mining electrical equipment, and
• risk management.

You can check the work experience requirements you will need to meet before applying in the Minimum Experience required for Registration table.

If you meet the above criteria, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Please check the Upgrading your registration class page on our website to make sure that you meet the upgrade requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Upgrading your registration class

Under Section 74 of the Electricity Act 1992, registration as an Associated Tradesperson is required for any persons with relevant plumber/gasfitter registration who wishes to carry out prescribed electrical work.

To become an Associated Tradesperson, you must complete the following requirements:

Experience pathway

• obtained registration as a certifying or tradesperson plumber, gasfitter or plumber/gasfitter from the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB)
• passed a Board-approved Associated Tradespersons’ coursework and written examination (relevant to your PDGB licence)
• passed a Board-approved Associated Tradespersons’ practical assessment (relevant to your PDGB licence), and
• completed approved safety training within the prescribed time frame.

If you have completed your qualifications, and the above qualifications, you may be ready to apply for registration and your practising licence.

Ensure that you include a certified copy of your current Plumber/Gasfitter licence.

Please check the Before you apply page on our website to make sure that you meet the registration requirements and know what documents you need to submit.

Before you apply