Registration class changes

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 any 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 using 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 have increased the required practical experience in PEW from 1 year to 2 years.

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.

Under the stepped pathway, an Electrical Installer can apply for registration as an Electrician after being registered for 1 year, 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.

Changes to the registration requirements has increased the required practical experience in PEW from 2 years to 3 years.

Under the stepped 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.

Changes to registration requirements have increased the required practical experience in PEW from 18 months to 2 years.

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 have expanded to include the disconnection and reconnection of fittings that fixed wired appliances are connected to. You should only carry out this work if you are competent to do so. If you would like to develop skills in this area, contact a Board-approved training provider about training in disconnecting and reconnecting single-phase appliances to and from a power supply.

The competency programme content for the EAS registration class has been expanded to cover disconnection and reconnection to ensure competency.

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 when they apply to renew their practising licence on or after 1 September 2026.

The limits of work for the EAS class have expanded to include the disconnection and reconnection of fittings that fixed wired appliances are connected to.

Associated Tradesperson

An Associated Tradesperson who is a Licensed Building Practitioner holding a current Carpentry Licence is limited to carry out the disconnection and reconnection of fittings to or from a power supply provided that:

• the fitting is rated at no more than 250 volts and 16 amperes, and
• the work is required to directly facilitate the work associated with their trade.

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

Note: There is currently no Board approved examination for LBPs to become registered as an Associated Tradesperson.

An Associated Tradesperson who is registered and licensed as Plumber and/or Gasfitter is limited to carry out the maintenance of appliances associated with their trade, including the disconnection and reconnection of fittings to or from a power supply provided that:

• the fitting is rated at no more than 250 volts and 16 amperes, and
• the work is required for the maintenance of an appliance.

Associated Tradespersons must not work in endorsed areas.

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(es) before renewing your Practising Licence on or after 1 September 2024. You must not work in other endorsed areas.

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. You must not work in other endorsed areas.

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. You must not work in other endorsed areas.

The limits of work for this class have expanded to include restoration of supply work. The competency programme content for the registration class has been expanded to cover restoration of supply to ensure competency in these expanded limits.

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. You must not work in other endorsed areas.

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. You must not work in other endorsed areas.