The Electrical Workers Registration Board, established by statute in 1992, is responsible for the ongoing competency of over 30,000 registered electrical and electronic workers. It also promotes electrical and electronic safety to all New Zealanders. The Board consists of seven members, resident throughout New Zealand, appointed by the Minister of Energy. Five members are registered under the Act and two are suitably qualified members of the public not entitled to be registered.

The principal role of the Board is governance. It provides input into the direction and implementation of electricity legislation. The service provider for the Board is the Electrical Workers Licensing Group, Department of Building and Housing. The Board provides for the following:

conducts examinations
monitors training
receives and authorises registration of twelve classes of electrical and electronic workers
issues provisional licenses to those who meet requirements
ensures registered people maintain an adequate level of competency
exercises disciplinary powers
institutes prosecution when necessary under the Electricity Act 1992.

Public Board Meetings are held monthly and members and the Registrar are available for consultation within the industry and the public.

Assessments of documentation to obtain Registration in New Zealand

To obtain an assessment of work experience and qualifications a Registration application form must be completed and the associated fee of $70.52 received with your documents. Please send to the Electrical Workers Registration Board, PO Box 10156, Wellington, New Zealand.

All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system should be made by Credit Card. We accept Mastercard, Visa and American Express.

Limited Certificates

Limited certificates are issued to enable any person to assist in doing any prescribed electrical work for people who have satisfied the training and experience requirements for registration but are required to pass an examination(s) and/or assessment to gain Registration. Limited certificates will be offerred to applicants when proof of training and experience requirements have been received and approved. At this point you will be offerred a Limited Certificate and asked to apply on the Limited Certificate Application form.

Terms and conditions for the issuing of Limited Certificates

An applicant for registration who has had such an application assessed and is required to pass an examination(s) and/or assessment for registration will be issued with a limited certificate on satisfying;

(i) evidence that the applicant has satisfactorily completed instruction in safe working practices, testing, basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as approved by the Board, or will complete such instruction within three months of the issue of any limited certificate;

(ii) a statement from a person, who holds a current practising licence that authorises the person to supervise electrical work, which attests that the trainee will be supervised in accordance with the Supervision Procedures for Trainees issued by the Board and dated 31 March 2010;

(iii) an assurance that the applicant will work within the trainee limits as specified in regulation 93 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010;

(iv) an assurance that examination(s)/practical assessment(s) relevant to the class of registration to which the applicant is aspiring will be attempted through the duration of any limited certificate that may be issued.

Duration of limited certificates

The duration for limited certificates for All registration classes is 1 year.

Registration as an Electrical Worker

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 01 February 2012

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