Part P Building Regulations 2026: What Every Electrician Needs to Know

Part P Building Regulations 2026: What Every Electrician Needs to Know

Part P of the Building Regulations requires that all notifiable electrical work in dwellings in England and Wales is either carried out by a registered competent person or approved by local building control. In 2026, Part P certification through a competent person scheme remains essential for any electrician doing domestic work. The Part P course at LTS costs £250 inc. VAT and takes one day.

Key Facts

• Applies to: Dwellings in England and Wales (houses, flats, maisonettes)
• Requirement: Notifiable work must be done by a registered electrician or approved by building control
• Course at LTS: £250 inc. VAT — 1 day
• Competent person schemes: NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA
• Penalty for non-compliance: Up to £5,000 fine
• Important change: Part P is no longer a standalone route to the Gold Card (since December 2025)

What Is Notifiable Work?

Notifiable work is electrical work that must be reported to building control or self-certified by a registered electrician. The distinction between notifiable and non-notifiable work is one of the most important things for electricians to understand.

Notifiable Work (Must Be Certified)

Non-Notifiable Work (Still Must Comply with BS 7671)

• Replacing accessories (sockets, switches, light fittings) on a like-for-like basis
• Replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit
• Re-fixing or replacing enclosures of existing installations
• Adding fused spurs to existing circuits (outside kitchens and bathrooms)

Even non-notifiable work must comply with BS 7671 (the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations). The distinction is about notification and certification, not about whether the work needs to meet safety standards.

How to Become Part P Certified

Step 1: Complete the Part P Course

The Part P course at LTS costs £250 inc. VAT and takes one day. It covers:

• Part P Building Regulations scope and requirements
• Notifiable vs non-notifiable work
• Competent person scheme requirements
• Certification and documentation
• Building control notification procedures

Prerequisite: Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation (recommended) or equivalent experience.

Step 2: Register with a Competent Person Scheme

After completing Part P training, you need to register with a government-approved competent person scheme:

Registration allows you to self-certify notifiable electrical work, which means you can issue Building Regulations compliance certificates directly without involving local building control. This is faster and cheaper for your customers.

Step 3: Maintain Your Registration

Competent person scheme registration requires:

• Annual fee payment
• Periodic assessment visits (typically annually)
• Current qualifications (18th Edition, relevant NVQ)
• Public liability insurance (minimum £2 million)
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)

Part P and Amendment 4

BS 7671 Amendment 4 publishes on 15 April 2026 and introduces changes that affect domestic installations, including new requirements for battery energy storage systems and expanded AFDD guidance. After October 2026, your 18th Edition certificate must reflect Amendment 4 knowledge to maintain competent person scheme registration.

Common Part P Mistakes

• Not certifying notifiable work — the most common and most serious mistake. Every notifiable job must have a Building Regulations compliance certificate.
• Confusing the kitchen boundary — all electrical work in a room containing a kitchen sink and cooking facilities is notifiable, even if the work is on the opposite side of the room.
• Forgetting outdoor work — garden lighting, outbuilding supplies, and external sockets are all notifiable.
• Incomplete documentation — every notifiable job requires a BS 7671 electrical installation certificate or minor works certificate, plus the building regulations notification.
• Not notifying within 30 days — self-certified work must be registered with the local authority within 30 days of completion.
• Assuming replacement is non-notifiable — a consumer unit replacement is always notifiable, even if it is a like-for-like swap.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Part P non-compliance can have serious consequences:

• Fine up to £5,000 — local authorities can prosecute under the Building Act 1984
• Enforcement notice — requiring the work to be inspected, tested, and corrected
• Home insurance implications — non-compliant electrical work can invalidate a homeowner's insurance
• Property sale complications — solicitors check for electrical compliance certificates during conveyancing; missing certificates delay or prevent sales
• Professional consequences — complaints to your competent person scheme can result in investigation, additional assessments, or removal from the scheme

Part P and the Gold Card

Important: As of December 2025, Part P Building Regulations qualifications are no longer accepted as a standalone route to the ECS Gold Card. To obtain a Gold Card, applicants must hold NVQ-based qualifications through the 2346, 2357, or 2347 routes. See our Gold Card requirements guide for full details.

Part P remains a valuable qualification for domestic electricians and is effectively required for anyone doing notifiable domestic work. It complements your Gold Card rather than replacing any part of it.

Next Steps

If you need Part P certification or want to understand how it fits into your overall qualification pathway, book a free consultation with an LTS course advisor.

LTS is a City & Guilds accredited training centre in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, close to M25 Junction 25. We have trained over 5,000 students with a 4.9/5 rating. Call us on 01992 413 503 or email hello@learntradeskills.co.uk.