Electrician

Click on the class you are currently registered for to find out how to upgrade to Electrician.

If your registration class is not listed, you cannot upgrade to Electrician from your class.

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson – Registration requirements

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

Experience Pathway

  • Pass the Electricians Theory coursework and written examination;
  • Pass the Electricians Regulations coursework and written examination;
  • Complete the Electricians stage 1, 2 and 3 practical assessments and
  • Complete 3 and a half years (7000 hours) practical training/experience in the work of an Electrician that is satisfactory to the Board.

IMPORTANT: Your New Zealand work experience MUST be completed while holding an Electrician Trainee Limited Certificate.

Trainee Limited Certificates

Registration class

Electrician

Minimum amount of work experience required

3.5 years (7000 hours)

Required work experience

All electrical work (except work in a mining operation) and includes:

  • At least 1 year (2000 hours) of experience of wiring installation within buildings
  • Installing and connecting high and low voltage single phase and multiphase cables (overhead /underground) and associated fittings
  • Installing electrical wiring and equipment in commercial and domestic buildings
  • Installing Switchboards
  • Installing lighting and power outlets and appliances
  • Earthing /bonding
  • Fault-finding
  • Testing
  • Certification

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson – Required documents

You must provide the following documents in your application.

Certified proof of identity

  • A certified copy of the front and back of your current New Zealand Driver’s Licence; or
  • A certified copy of your Passport biographic page

*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.

The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.

Work history references from Board approved supervisor

You must provide detailed references of your work experience.

Your references must:

  • Detail the prescribed electrical work experience that you have completed
    Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation;
  • Include the start and end dates of employment for each company;
  • Contain sufficient experience in the area you seek registration;
  • Be on company letterhead;
  • Be signed and dated by your Board approved supervisor on your file; and
  • Contain email contact details for your supervisor.

Passport quality photo

  • A photo that meets the criteria for your ID card:
    • A face, head and shoulders shot, looking directly at the camera and less than 6 months old;
    • Plain, light coloured background;
    • No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses OR headwear that obscures your face;
    • 3:4 – width to height ratio, in full colour;
    • Between 50KB and 5MB in size (or printed image for paper applications); and
    • Saved in .jpg or .jpeg format.
  • Check that your photo meets the requirements here:
    Online photo checker – New Zealand passports

Payment details

You can pay for your application by credit or debit card. All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system must be made by credit card.

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson Endorsed – Registration requirements

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

Experience Pathway

  • Pass the Electricians Theory coursework and written examination;
  • Pass the Electricians Regulations coursework and written examination;
  • Complete the Electricians stage 1, 2 and 3 practical assessments;
  • Complete 3 and a half years (7000 hours) practical training/experience in the work of an Electrician that is satisfactory to the Board.

IMPORTANT: Your New Zealand work experience MUST be completed while holding an Electrician Trainee Limited Certificate.

Trainee Limited Certificates

Registration class

Electrician

Minimum amount of work experience required

3.5 years (7000 hours)

Required work experience

All electrical work (except work in a mining operation) and includes:

  • At least 1 year (2000 hours) of experience of wiring installation within buildings
  • Installing and connecting high and low voltage single phase and multiphase cables (overhead /underground) and associated fittings
  • Installing electrical wiring and equipment in commercial and domestic buildings
  • Installing Switchboards
  • Installing lighting and power outlets and appliances
  • Earthing /bonding
  • Fault-finding
  • Testing
  • Certification

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson Endorsed – Required documents

You must provide the following documents in your application.

Certified proof of identity

  • A certified copy of the front and back of your current New Zealand Driver’s Licence; or
  • A certified copy of your Passport biographic page

*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.

The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.

Work history references from Board approved supervisor

You must provide detailed references of your work experience.

Your references must:

  • Detail the prescribed electrical work experience that you have completed
    Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation;
  • Include the start and end dates of employment for each company;
  • Contain sufficient experience in the area you seek registration;
  • Be on company letterhead;
  • Be signed and dated by your Board approved supervisor on your file; and
  • Contain email contact details for your supervisor.

Passport quality photo

  • A photo that meets the criteria for your ID card:
    • A face, head and shoulders shot, looking directly at the camera and less than 6 months old;
    • Plain, light coloured background;
    • No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses OR headwear that obscures your face;
    • 3:4 – width to height ratio, in full colour;
    • Between 50KB and 5MB in size (or printed image for paper applications); and
    • Saved in .jpg or .jpeg format.
  • Check that your photo meets the requirements here:
    Online photo checker – New Zealand passports

Payment details

You can pay for your application by credit or debit card. All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system must be made by credit card.

Electrical Service Technician – Registration requirements

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

Experience Pathway

  • Pass the Electricians Theory coursework and written examination;
  • Pass the Electricians Regulations coursework and written examination;
  • Complete the Electricians stage 2 and 3 practical assessments;
  • Complete 3 years (6000 hours) practical training/experience in the work of an Electrician that is satisfactory to the Board.

IMPORTANT: Your New Zealand work experience MUST be completed while holding an Electrician Trainee Limited Certificate.

Trainee Limited Certificates

Registration class

Electrician

Minimum amount of work experience required

3 years (6000 hours)

Required work experience

All electrical work (except work in a mining operation) and includes:

  • At least 1 year (2000 hours) of experience of wiring installation within buildings
  • Installing and connecting high and low voltage single phase and multiphase cables (overhead /underground) and associated fittings
  • Installing electrical wiring and equipment in commercial and domestic buildings
  • Installing Switchboards
  • Installing lighting and power outlets and appliances
  • Earthing /bonding
  • Fault-finding
  • Testing
  • Certification

Electrical Service Technician – Required documents

You must provide the following documents in your application.

Certified proof of identity

  • A certified copy of the front and back of your current New Zealand Driver’s Licence; or
  • A certified copy of your Passport biographic page

*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.

The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.

Work history references from Board approved supervisor

You must provide detailed references of your work experience.

Your references must:

  • Detail the prescribed electrical work experience that you have completed
    Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation;
  • Include the start and end dates of employment for each company;
  • Contain sufficient experience in the area you seek registration;
  • Be on company letterhead;
  • Be signed and dated by your Board approved supervisor on your file; and
  • Contain email contact details for your supervisor.

Passport quality photo

  • A photo that meets the criteria for your ID card:
    • A face, head and shoulders shot, looking directly at the camera and less than 6 months old;
    • Plain, light coloured background;
    • No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses OR headwear that obscures your face;
    • 3:4 – width to height ratio, in full colour;
    • Between 50KB and 5MB in size (or printed image for paper applications); and
    • Saved in .jpg or .jpeg format.
  • Check that your photo meets the requirements here:
    Online photo checker – New Zealand passports

Payment details

You can pay for your application by credit or debit card. All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system must be made by credit card.

Electrical Installer – Registration requirements

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

Experience Pathway

  • Pass the Electricians Theory coursework and written examination;
  • Complete 2 and a half years (5000 hours) practical training/experience in the work of an Electrician that is satisfactory to the Board.

IMPORTANT: Your New Zealand work experience MUST be completed while holding an Electrician Trainee Limited Certificate.

Trainee Limited Certificates

Registration class

Electrician

Minimum amount of work experience required

2.5 years (5000 hours)

Required work experience

All electrical work (except work in a mining operation) and includes:

  • At least 1 year (2000 hours) of experience of wiring installation within buildings
  • Installing and connecting high and low voltage single phase and multiphase cables (overhead /underground) and associated fittings
  • Installing electrical wiring and equipment in commercial and domestic buildings
  • Installing Switchboards
  • Installing lighting and power outlets and appliances
  • Earthing /bonding
  • Fault-finding
  • Testing
  • Certification

Electrical Installer – Required documents

You must provide the following documents in your application.

Certified proof of identity

  • A certified copy of the front and back of your current New Zealand Driver’s Licence; or
  • A certified copy of your Passport biographic page

*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.

The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.

Work history references from Board approved supervisor

You must provide detailed references of your work experience.

Your references must:

  • Detail the prescribed electrical work experience that you have completed
    Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation;
  • Include the start and end dates of employment for each company;
  • Contain sufficient experience in the area you seek registration;
  • Be on company letterhead;
  • Be signed and dated by your Board approved supervisor on your file; and
  • Contain email contact details for your supervisor.

Passport quality photo

  • A photo that meets the criteria for your ID card:
    • A face, head and shoulders shot, looking directly at the camera and less than 6 months old;
    • Plain, light coloured background;
    • No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses OR headwear that obscures your face;
    • 3:4 – width to height ratio, in full colour;
    • Between 50KB and 5MB in size (or printed image for paper applications); and
    • Saved in .jpg or .jpeg format.
  • Check that your photo meets the requirements here:
    Online photo checker – New Zealand passports

Payment details

You can pay for your application by credit or debit card. All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system must be made by credit card.

Electrical Engineer – Registration requirements

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

Experience pathway

  • Pass the Electricians Theory coursework and written examination; and
  • Complete not less than 3 years (6000 hours) practical experience in carrying out Electrician prescribed electrical work that is satisfactory to the Board.

Registration class

Electrician

Minimum amount of work experience required

3 years (6000 hours)

Required work experience

All electrical work (except work in a mining operation) and includes:

  • At least 1 year (2000 hours) of experience of wiring installation within buildings
  • Installing and connecting high and low voltage single phase and multiphase cables (overhead /underground) and associated fittings
  • Installing electrical wiring and equipment in commercial and domestic buildings
  • Installing Switchboards
  • Installing lighting and power outlets and appliances
  • Earthing /bonding
  • Fault-finding
  • Testing
  • Certification

Electrical Engineer – Required documents

You must provide the following documents in your application.

Certified proof of identity

  • A certified copy of the front and back of your current New Zealand Driver’s Licence; or
  • A certified copy of your Passport biographic page.

*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.

The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.

*Certified: The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.

Work history references from supervisor/employer(s)

You must provide detailed references of your work history.

Your references must:

  • Detail the prescribed electrical work experience that you have completed covering 3 years (6000 hours) of work experience
    Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation;
  • Include the start and end dates of employment for each company;
  • Contain sufficient experience in the area you seek registration;
  • Be on company letterhead;
  • Be signed and dated by your employer; and
  • Contain email contact details for your referee.

Passport quality photo

  • A photo that meets the criteria for your ID card:
    • A face, head and shoulders shot, looking directly at the camera and less than 6 months old;
    • Plain, light coloured background;
    • No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses OR headwear that obscures your face;
    • 3:4 – width to height ratio, in full colour;
    • Between 50KB and 5MB in size (or printed image for paper applications); and
    • Saved in .jpg or .jpeg format.
  • Check that your photo meets the requirements here:
    Online photo checker – New Zealand passports

Payment details

You can pay for your application by credit or debit card. All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system must be made by credit card.

Application checklist

Application checklist

Information on certified documents

Certified documents

Before you apply

Have you completed the registration requirements?

You must complete the registration requirements before you apply.

Check the “Registration requirements” above to ensure you have completed all the requirements.

If you apply and you have not completed the requirements, your application will be declined and the application fee will not be refunded.

Apply now

Apply now(external link)

Application processing times

Application processing times

Helpful guide links

Guides