how-to
How to Check What NAPIT Approved Means for Electricians
Last Updated: October 29, 2026
Quick Summary
Being napit approved means the electrician is registered with a government-approved competent person scheme, so they can self-certify notifiable electrical work. You should confirm their registration number on the live NAPIT register and check the scope of work covers your job.
- Ask for the full company name and NAPIT registration number in writing before booking.
- Search the official register by registration number first, as name searches can return near-matches.
- Check the scope field, as registration for domestic work may not cover commercial or specialist categories.
- A registered electrician typically holds a Level 3 technical qualification and wiring regulations certificate.
- Assessment is a snapshot of competence, which is why the complaints process and insurance-backed guarantee exist.
Table of Contents
- What NAPIT Approved Actually Means
- How to Run a NAPIT Registered Electrician Check
- NAPIT Approved Electrician Qualifications and Assessment
- NAPIT vs NICEIC: How the Schemes Compare
- Part P, Notifiable Work and Your Electrical Installation Certificate
- A Homeowner Checklist Before and After Hiring
- What to Do If an Electrician's Status or Work Is Disputed
- Get Your Rewiring Quote from a NAPIT-Approved Team
- Frequently Asked Questions
What NAPIT Approved Actually Means
At Project Rewire, our team operates as a NAPIT-approved contractor. This guide explains what that means and how to verify it.
How to Run a NAPIT Registered Electrician Check
Ask any electrician for their registration number, then confirm it directly through the scheme's online register rather than relying on a logo on a van.
Here's the practical sequence:
- Request the full company name and NAPIT registration number in writing
- Search the official NAPIT register for that exact business name
- Confirm the registration is current, not lapsed or suspended
- Check the scope of work covers what you're asking them to do
- Ask for their public liability insurance certificate
What the Register Actually Shows You
That scope field is the part most homeowners skip. A business may be registered for domestic electrical installation work but not for, say, commercial work or certain specialist categories. If your job falls outside the listed scope, the self-certification route does not apply and you may need building control involvement instead.
When the Search Returns Nothing
A common mistake is accepting a screenshot or a certificate photo. Those go stale. The live register is the only source that reflects current status.
Questions to Ask on the Phone
Before you book, a short call can confirm most of what the register cannot tell you:
- Which registration number will appear on the certificate?
- Who will actually carry out the work, and are they directly employed or subcontracted?
- Will the notifiable work be self-certified through the scheme, and what certificate will I receive?
- What is the process if I am unhappy with the work?
Once you've confirmed the credentials, it's reasonable to look at what guarantees sit behind the registration. You can explore Project Rewire's home rewiring services in Glasgow and Paisley, including pricing, the 10 year guarantee and other electrical services.
NAPIT Approved Electrician Qualifications and Assessment
NAPIT approved electrician qualifications rest on two pillars: recognised electrical qualifications and a practical assessment of real work. Registration isn't granted on paperwork alone.
Qualifications a NAPIT-Registered Electrician Holds
A registered electrician typically holds a Level 3 technical qualification in electrical installation, the current edition wiring regulations certificate, and inspection and testing qualifications. They must also hold appropriate public liability insurance and prove they work to the relevant British Standards.
What the Assessment and Inspection Involve
What most guides miss is that assessment is a snapshot. It confirms competence at the point of review, not the quality of every job since. That gap is why the complaints process and insurance-backed guarantee exist.
NAPIT vs NICEIC: How the Schemes Compare
| Feature | NAPIT | NICEIC |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme type | Government-approved competent person scheme | Government-approved competent person scheme |
| Public register | Yes | Yes |
| Self-certifies notifiable work | Yes | Yes |
| Ongoing reassessment | Yes | Yes |
| Complaints route | Yes | Yes |
Watch out: don't let a familiar logo end the conversation. Verify the specific business, not the scheme brand.
Part P, Notifiable Work and Your Electrical Installation Certificate
After the work, you should receive an electrical installation certificate or, for minor work, a minor electrical installation works certificate. Keep these with your property documents.
What Approval Does and Does Not Guarantee
The Scottish rules on certification and landlord duties differ from England's Part P regime, and if you own or let property here it's worth understanding how those duties apply. You can read the guide to the October 2026 EICR qualification changes for the details on Scottish landlord obligations and what to check when booking an EICR.
A Homeowner Checklist Before and After Hiring
Use this checklist to protect yourself at both ends of the job.
Before hiring:
- Confirm the registration number on the live scheme register
- Check the scope of work covers your job
- Request the public liability insurance certificate
- Get a written quote with a clear scope
- Ask who will actually do the work and their qualifications
After the work:
- Receive the correct certificate for the work done
- Confirm the certificate matches the actual installation
- File certificates with property documents
- Note the insurance-backed guarantee terms
- Keep the scheme's complaints contact on file
What to Do If an Electrician's Status or Work Is Disputed
A common mistake is waiting too long. Most schemes have time limits on complaints, so act while the paperwork is fresh. If the electrician's registration has lapsed, that's a separate issue worth reporting to the scheme directly.
Get Your Rewiring Quote from a NAPIT-Approved Team
Verifying approval is the first step. Getting the right team to do the work is the second, and it's where most homeowners spend the most time worrying.
At Project Rewire, we're a NAPIT-approved contractor with over a decade of experience and fully qualified electrical engineers specialising in domestic rewiring. Every rewiring job we complete comes with a 10 year guarantee.
You can get a quote for a full house rewire or explore our home rewiring service in Glasgow and Paisley before you commit. Contact us to discuss your home's electrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean if an electrician is NAPIT approved?
It means the electrician is a NAPIT approved contractor, as Project Rewire is.
How can I check whether an electrician is registered with NAPIT?
Ask the electrician for their registration number and confirm it directly through the scheme's online register rather than relying on a logo.
Is NAPIT better than NICEIC?
The individual electrician's scope of work, experience and track record matter more than the scheme name.
What certificates should a NAPIT-registered electrician provide after electrical work?
Ask for a written certificate for any electrical work carried out and keep it with your property documents.
