Questions and answers

2025 Registration Notice changes

Why was a new registration framework introduced?

Changes to the registration framework and the introduction of endorsed registration classes aim to:

• provide clearer career pathways for electrical workers
• reduce the risk of harm by making sure higher-risk work, and supervision of more than 2 people, is carried out by an appropriately trained electrical worker
• make the limits of work for each registration class easier for electrical workers and the public to understand.

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 2025 Registration Notice makes small changes. These changes correct errors and make the rules clearer for electrical workers.

How is the registration framework changing?

You may need a new endorsed registration class if you work in one of the following areas:

• Hazardous Areas.
• Mains Generation Parallel Systems.
• Medical Cardiac Protected Areas.
• Mining Operations.
• Supervise more than 2 people at one time.

You can test and certify any prescribed electrical work (PEW). This includes work you have done with others. You must comply with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and any 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
• you carry out work in a high-risk endorsed area
• you supervise more than 2 people at one time to carry out PEW (except if you are an Electrical Inspector), 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 the limits on testing and certifying work. These changes make the rules more practical to follow on the job. 

If you are an electrical worker covered by the 2025 Registration Notice, you may test or certify any prescribed electrical work you are authorised to do. You must comply with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and any relevant standards.

Endorsed registration classes

How do I get the new endorsed classes of registration?

You can apply through your EW portal.

You can use work experience to show that you meet endorsed class registration requirements. Some endorsed registration classes have optional training courses that the Board recognises. You can complete these courses to show you have the right knowledge, skills, experience and training.

Employer references can support your application. They should say what types of prescribed electrical work you have done, whether you are competent to do that work, and how many practical experience hours you have completed.

The Board may grant exemptions from some registration requirements if you have relevant work experience from an apprenticeship or earlier jobs. An exemption may reduce how long you need to hold your base registration class or the number of practical experience hours you must complete.

If the Board grants an exemption, it will be recorded in your registration class approval letter.

Information about how to apply, recognised courses, and the documentation you need to provide for each endorsed registration class is on our Endorsed class of registration page.

Endorsed class of registration

Do I need to hold the ‘base’ registration class as well as the ‘endorsed’ registration class?

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

How have the Endorsed Supervision registration class work limits changed?

Under the 2025 Registration Notice the endorsed Supervision registration class is required to supervise more than 2 persons at one time to carry out PEW (except if you are an Electrical Inspector). This includes supervision of trainees with Limited Certificates, people working under supervision, and licenced electrical workers working outside their limits.

This change was made to make sure supervised prescribed electrical work is done safely. It also makes sure the work has the right level of oversight so it meets the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the relevant standards.

You can only supervise work that you are authorised to carry out by the registration class(es) you hold. If you are supervising work in a high-risk endorsed area, you may also need to hold the appropriate endorsed registration class.

More information:

Supervision companion guide [PDF, 1 MB]

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 endorsed registration class that authorises you 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 (or are an Electrical Inspector).

Note: Electrician, EST, EAS and Electrical Installer registration classes continue to work under the 2019 Notice until they first renew their licence on or after 1 September 2026. This means these registration classes 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.

Contact us

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

Your practising licence 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?

For example: I am registered as an Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas); can I apply for registration as an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas)?

You must hold your new base registration class for 2 years before you can apply for an endorsed registration class in a higher risk work area.

The Board may grant an exemption to some registration requirements. This may reduce how long you need to hold your base registration class or the number of practical experience hours you must complete. You will need to provide information that shows your knowledge, training, skills and experience.

You continue to hold your current base registration class and endorsed registration class, so you can keep doing that PEW.

In the example above, any PEW carried out as an Electrical Inspector in a medical cardiac protected area would need to be done under supervision of an appropriately authorised and competent person until you hold Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas).

Are courses available for the new endorsed registration classes?

There are no mandatory courses for endorsed registration classes. You can also apply for any endorsed registration classes using relevant work experience.

You can choose to complete the following Board recognised courses to support your application for registration:

Mains Parallel General Systems

You need to complete both courses:

• Grid-connected PV Systems, Design and Install (Level 4) (Micro-Credential), and
• Grid-connected Battery Storage Systems, Design and Install (Level 4) (Micro-Credential).

Supervision

• Supervision of Prescribed Electrical Work (Micro-Credential).

Hazardous Areas

• New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Equipment in Explosive Atmospheres (Level 4).

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 connected to the grid do not generate electricity in parallel with the mains supply. This means they do not need a Mains Parallel Generation Systems endorsed registration class.

If other systems are used to generate electricity in parallel with the solar installation, the system may be a mains parallel generation system. Any PEW that involves installing a PV system is high risk work. It must be inspected by someone who is authorised to inspect high risk prescribed electrical work and holds the right endorsed registration class.

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 registration classes 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.

Under the 2025 Registration Notice limits of work, an Associated Tradesperson cannot carry out PEW on the mains at the point of entry of an Electrical Installation (as defined in the Electricity Act 1992). This applies to maintenance work.