FAQ

2025 Registration Notice changes

Why was a new registration framework introduced?

A registration framework was introduced by the 2023 Registration Notice with phased implementation between 2024 and 2026. It aims to:

• provide better career pathways for electrical workers
• reduce consumer harm by ensuring high-risk work is carried out by an appropriately trained electrical worker who holds an endorsed registration class
• provide more clarity on the limits of work for each registration class, making it easier for an electrical worker to understand what work they are licensed to carry out. 

Why was the 2023 Registration Notice replaced with a new notice?

Industry told us that some requirements including testing, certifying, and transitional provisions were unclear or impractical. The changes introduced by the replacement notice are minor and were made to fix errors and clarify requirements for electrical workers.

What requirements have changed under the 2025 Registration Notice?

The commencement date for the new endorsed classes was brought forward to 4 August 2025 – you can apply now.

The key changes are:

• you can only work in the following areas if you hold the appropriate endorsed registration class:
  • Hazardous Areas
  • Mains Generation Parallel Systems
  • Medical Cardiac Protected Areas
  • Mining Operations
  • Supervision of more than two persons to carry out prescribed electrical work (PEW) – note this is not required for Electrical Inspectors. 
• you can test and certify any PEW, including work carried out with others, provided you do so in accordance with your obligations under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations (ESR) 2010 and relevant standards.

When do changes to the registration requirements take effect by registration class?

Registration class	Registration Notice
Electrical Inspector  Electrical Engineer Cable Jointer Distribution Line Mechanic Transmission Line Mechanic Traction Line Mechanic Substation Maintainer Associated Tradesperson	2025 Registration Notice requirements apply when your new or renewed licence is approved – after 4 August 2025.
Electrician  Electrical Appliance Serviceperson Electrical Service Technician Electrical Installer	The 2019 Registration Notice requirements continue to apply until after 1 September 2026.  If your new or renewed licence is approved after 1 September 2026, you will need to comply with the 2025 Registration Notice work limits and registration requirements.

Do I need to hold an endorsed registration class now?

You need to hold the correct endorsed registration classes if:

• you are an Electrical Inspector, Electrical Engineer, Distribution Line Mechanic, Transmission Line Mechanic, Traction Line Mechanic, Cable Jointer or Substation Maintainer; and
• you carry out work in a high-risk endorsed area or supervise more than 2 persons at one time to carry out PEW; and
• you have renewed, or are renewing, your licence on or after 1 September 2024.

What changes have been made to testing and certifying PEW?

Changes have been made to testing and/or certifying work limits, so the requirements are more practical to implement on the job. The limit on testing and/or certifying your ‘own work’ has been removed.

An electrical worker working under the 2025 Registration notice may test and/or certify any PEW that they are authorised to in accordance with their obligations under the ESR 2010 and relevant standards.

Endorsed registration classes

How do I get the new endorsed classes of registration?

You can apply through your EW portal. Information about how to apply and the documentation you need to provide can be found on our website here:

Endorsed class of registration

To get experience towards registration in a higher-risk endorsed registration class with practical experience hours, you will need to get a Limited Certificate for that class and find a supervisor authorised and competent to carry out that type of prescribed electrical work (PEW) to supervise you.&;

The Mains Parallel Generation Systems (MPGS) and Supervision endorsed registration classes do not require evidence of practical experience hours, so a Limited Certificate isn’t required. For these classes, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and training can be demonstrated through work experience or for MPGS you can choose to complete the 2 Board recognised micro-credentials. Employer references can be used to support your application and should include the type of PEW you have experience doing and whether you are competent in doing it.

I hold an endorsed registration class; do I also need to separately hold the ‘base’ registration class?

Yes. For example, an Electrician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) registration class holder must also hold an Electrician registration class and a practising licence.

How have the Endorsed Supervision registration class work limits changed?

Under the 2025 Registration Notice requirements have been adjusted so that an endorsed supervision registration class is required to supervise more than 2 persons at one time to carry out PEW. &;This includes supervision of trainees with limited certificates, people working under supervision, and licenced electrical workers working outside their limits. For more information, read the Supervision Companion Guide on the EWRB website.

Supervision Companion Guide [PDF, 1 MB]

The Board made this change to ensure PEW carried out under supervision is done so safety and with appropriate oversight to ensure compliance with the ESR 2010 and relevant standards.

Note: There is no endorsed supervision class of registration for Electrical Inspectors. Electrical Inspectors can supervise more than two people at one time without needing to hold an endorsed class.&;

Do I need to hold a Mains Parallel Generation Systems endorsed registration class to work on solar installations?

It depends. Not all solar installations are connected as a Mains Parallel Generation System. A Mains Parallel Generation System is defined in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 under regulation 4, and refers to fittings that:

1. are used or intended for use by any person in, or in connection with, the generation of electricity for that person’s use; and
2. are capable of supplying electricity to fittings that, at the same time, are supplied with electricity from other systems of electrical supply.

Solar installations, or photovoltaic (PV) arrays, that are not grid connected are not generating electricity in parallel with the mains supply for the installation so do not require a Mains Parallel Generation Systems endorsed class.

If other systems are in place to generate electricity in parallel with the solar installation, it could be considered a mains parallel generation system. Any PEW that includes the installation of a PV system is considered high-risk work though and must be inspected by a person authorised to inspect high-risk PEW holding the appropriate endorsed registration class.

If I gain an endorsed registration class, will I get a new licence and registration number?

Your practitioner ID number (which starts with EW-) will stay the same. You will receive a new registration number for any new registration classes you gain.

If I hold an endorsed registration class, will this be applied to all my future registration classes?

Example: I am registered as an Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas); can I apply to be registered as an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas)?

No – you will need to hold the new registration class for a period of 2 years before you can gain the endorsed class of registration. You may simultaneously hold your previous registration class with the endorsed class to keep doing that work if required.

In this example you would need to hold the Electrical Inspector registration class for 2 years before you could apply to become an Electrical inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas). You could continue to hold your registration as an Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected areas) and be registered as an Electrical Inspector at the same time. Any PEW carried out by the Electrical Inspector in a medical cardiac protected area would need to be done under supervision.

Are courses available for the new endorsed registration classes?

Optional courses are available to support applications for electrical workers applying for an endorsed registration class to work on mains parallel generation systems and in hazardous areas. &;

Courses for endorsed supervision registration classes are being developed by Waihanga Ara Rau and will be available in the coming months.&;

You can also apply for endorsed registration classes through the experience pathway using your work experience.

The Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed to Disconnect and Connect) (EASQ) registration class is revoked. What does this mean?

The Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (EAS) and EASQ are merging into a single class. The limits of work for the EAS registration class will be extended to include disconnection and reconnection from 1 September 2026.

If you currently hold the EASQ registration class, you can continue to work as usual. Once the new EAS work limits commence, we will help you to transfer to the EAS registration class.

You can no longer apply to become an EASQ or make a booking to sit the examination.

Can an Associated Tradesperson registration class carry out mains work on an electrical installation?

No. Associated Tradespersons are not authorised to carry out any general or high-risk PEW, or any PEW on “works” — which includes the connection or disconnection of the mains at the point of supply. The new limits of work prevent an Associated Tradesperson from carrying out PEW on the mains at the point of entry of an Electrical Installation (as defined in the Electricity Act 1992) for the purposes of maintenance.

I want to supervise someone with an endorsed registration class. Do I need to hold that endorsed registration class AND the endorsed supervision registration class as well?

It depends on your registration class, what notice you are working under, and how many people you are supervising to carry out PEW.

If you are working under the 2023 or 2025 Notice you:

• must hold the applicable endorsed registration class to carry out PEW in a higher risk endorsed work area
• can only supervise more than 2 people at one time to carry out PEW if you hold the endorsed supervision registration class (unless you are an Electrical Inspector, as this class can supervise any number of persons).

Note: Electrician, EST, EAS and Electrical Installer registration classes continue to work under the 2019 Notice until they first renew their licence after 1 September 2026 so – this means they do not need to hold an endorsed registration class for higher risk work areas or to supervise other persons yet.

If you need help to understand what registration classes you need to hold, please contact us.

Has the introduction of endorsed registration classes “disadvantaged” registered Electrical Workers by changing the traditional hierarchy within the industry?

For example, holding the Electrical Inspector registration class means that a registered Electrician holding an endorsed registration class would be able to carry out prescribed electrical work in a high-risk area that the inspector is no longer able to do.

The Board introduced the new registration framework to recognise the unique risks in some working environments. The changes to registration aim to ensure that electrical workers demonstrate they have the knowledge and experience to work in endorsed areas safely - which supports the industry to respond to rapidly evolving demands and new regulations.

Electrical Inspectors may supervise more than 2 persons carrying out PEW without holding an endorsed supervision registration class – this reflects their extensive experience, skills and knowledge in the industry. All other classes of registration are required to also hold an additional an endorsed registration class to supervise more than 2 workers.