Registration class changes

The Electrical Workers Registration Board introduced a new registration framework for electrical workers in New Zealand, which commenced on 1 September 2024.

These changes affect registration requirements, work limits, and career pathways across registration classes.

Endorsed registration classes

Under new requirements, you may need to hold an endorsed registration class if you carry out prescribed electrical work (PEW) in these endorsed areas:

  • Mining Operations
  • Medical Cardiac Protected Areas
  • Hazardous Areas
  • Mains Parallel Generation Systems
  • Supervision of more than 2 people at one time. Note: Electrical Inspectors can supervise anu number of people without this endorsed registration class. 

You can apply for endorsed registration classes using the streamlined process:

Applying for an endorsed registration class – streamlined process

Registration notices

The registration requirements and work limits for each registration class are set out in full in the following notices. 

2019 Registration Notice(external link) – New Zealand Gazette

2025 Registration Notice(external link) – New Zealand Gazette

Changes to registration classes

Below, you'll find a summary of what these changes mean for your registration class.

Electrical Inspector

Electrical Inspector registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

If you work in an area requiring an endorsed registration class, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024. You do not need to hold an endorsed supervision registration class to supervise more than 2 people at one time. 

Electrical Engineers with limits of work equivalent to an Electrician who have completed at least 3 years of practical experience can now apply for Electrical Inspector registration utilising that experience.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineer registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

If you work in an area requiring an endorsed registration class, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

Changes to registration requirements increased the required practical experience in PEW from 1 years to 2 years from 1 September 2024.

The recognised qualifications for registration as an Electrical Engineer have also been updated.

Electrician

Electrician registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2026. 

If you work in an area requiring an endorsed registration class, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2026.

From 1 September 2026, under the experience pathway, an Electrical Installer can apply for registration as an Electrician after being registered for 1 year and completing 1 year of practical experience as an Electrical Installer, and meeting the examination requirements.

Electrical Installer

Electrical Installer registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practicing Licence on or after 1 September 2026.

If you work in an area requiring an endorsed registration class, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2026.

Under the experience pathway to registration, the required practical experience PEW requirement will increase from 2 years to 3 years, from 1 September 2026.

From 1 September 2026, under the experience pathway, an Electrical Service Technician may apply for registration as an Electrical Installer after being registered for 1 year, completing 1 year of practical experience as an Electrical Service Technician, and meeting the examination requirements.

Electrical Service Technician

Electrical Service Technician registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practicing Licence on or after 1 September 2026.

If you work in an area requiring an endorsed registration class, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2026.

Under the experience pathway to registration, the required practical experience in PEW requirement will increase from 18 months to 2 years from 1 September 2026.

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (EAS) registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2026. 

If you work in an area requiring an endorsed registration class, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2026.

The limits of work for this class will expand to include the disconnection and reconnection of fittings that fixed wired appliances are connected to on 1 September 2026. The competency programme content for the EAS registration class will be expanded to cover disconnection and reconnection to ensure competency in expanded limit.

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed to Disconnect and Connect) – EASQ

This registration class has been revoked and can no longer be applied for.

Those who have already completed an EASQ course, can apply to sit the EAS exam. The EAS exam replaces the former EASQ exam.
 
Those who already hold the EASQ class will be transferred to the EAS registration class after 1 September 2026.

The limits of work for the EAS class will expand to include the disconnection and reconnection of fittings that fixed wired appliances are connected to on 1 September 2026.

Associated Tradesperson

Associated Tradesperson for Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) that hold a carpentry licence are limited to the disconnection or reconnection of fittings to or from a power supply provided that the electrical rating of the fitting is not greater than 250 volts and 16 amperes.

This change reduces the risk of accidental harm while providing for common trade activities such as disconnecting or connecting light fittings and socket outlets.

Transmission Line Mechanic

Transmission Line Mechanic registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practicing Licence on or after 1 September 2024. 

If you supervise more than 2 people at one time, you must hold the endorsed supervision class before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

Traction Line Mechanic

Traction Line Mechanic registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

If you supervise more than 2 people at one time or work in Mining Operations, you must hold the relevant endorsed class(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

Distribution Line Mechanic

Distribution Line Mechanic registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

If you supervise more than 2 people at one time, you must hold the endorsed supervision class before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

The limits of work for this class have expanded to include restoration of supply work. The competency programme content for the registration class will be expanded to cover restoration of supply to ensure competency in expanded limit. 

Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed)

This registration class has been revoked and can no longer be applied for. 

Those who hold Distribution Line Mechanic (endorsed) have been transferred over to Distribution Line Mechanic. The limits of work for this Distribution Line Mechanic have expanded to include restoration of supply work.

Substation Maintainer

Substation Maintainer registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

If you supervise more than 2 people at one time, you must apply for the endorsed supervision class before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.

Cable Jointer

Cable Jointer registration class holders continue operating under the limits of work defined in the 2019 Registration Notice until they apply to renew their Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024. 

If you supervise more than 2 people at one time, you must apply for the endorsed supervision class before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024.