Regulations
Part P Electrical Regulations Explained
A practical guide to Part P in England: what it means, which electrical work needs notifying, how self-certification works and how it differs from the Wiring Regulations.
Part P at a glance
Electrical safety in homes
Part P ≠ BS 7671
Part P is a Building Regulations requirement. BS 7671 is the electrical installation standard.
01
What is Part P?
Part P is the part of the Building Regulations in England that deals with electrical safety in homes. Its aim is straightforward: electrical installations should be designed and installed so people are protected from fire and injury.
It applies to electrical installation work in and around dwellings. That can include the house or flat itself, some shared areas of blocks of flats, and electrical supplies to gardens, garages and other outbuildings where they are connected to the dwelling.
Part P is not a qualification and it is not an electrician's card. It is a Building Regulations requirement.
The easiest way to think about Part P
Part P sets the legal safety requirement for electrical installation work in homes in England. BS 7671 provides the detailed electrical standard commonly used to design, install, inspect and test that work.
02
Where does Part P apply?
This guide focuses on England. The other UK nations have their own building-control systems or guidance, so England's notification rules should not be copied across the whole UK.
England
Approved Document P supports the Building Regulations requirement for electrical safety in dwellings. The notification rules explained in this guide are the England rules.
Wales
Wales has its own Approved Document P and Building Regulations guidance. Do not assume England's list of notifiable work is identical in Wales.
Scotland
Scotland uses the Building (Scotland) Regulations and Scottish Building Standards Technical Handbooks rather than England's Part P notification system.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own Building Regulations, administered through district councils. England's Part P notification rules should not be applied there by default.
03
What electrical work does Part P cover?
In England, Part P covers low-voltage and extra-low-voltage electrical installations within its scope. For most people, that means electrical installation work in a house or flat and connected areas around it.
Common examples
In and around a home
- Electrical installations inside houses and flats
- Fixed outside lighting supplied from the dwelling
- Electrical supplies to sheds and detached garages
- Garden electrical equipment supplied from the dwelling
- Some common and shared areas in blocks of flats
Key distinction
Covered does not always mean notifiable
A job can fall within Part P but still be non-notifiable. Notification is only required for the categories set out in the Building Regulations. The safety requirement still matters either way.
04
What electrical work is notifiable under Part P?
In England, the current notification rules focus on three main types of electrical installation work.
For example, adding a completely new circuit from the consumer unit for sockets, lighting or another fixed electrical load.
Replacing the consumer unit is specifically listed as notifiable work.
Additions or alterations to an existing circuit are notifiable when they are within the defined special-location area around a bath or shower, or in a room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.
What does “special location” mean here?
For notification purposes, Approved Document P uses a defined area around a bath or shower. It also includes rooms containing a swimming pool or sauna heater. Electricians should check the current Approved Document P when deciding whether a particular job is notifiable.
05
What electrical work is non-notifiable?
In England, electrical work that does not fall into the notifiable categories above is generally non-notifiable. That includes many everyday additions, alterations, replacements and repairs.
Replacements and repairs
Routine replacements, repairs and maintenance are generally non-notifiable unless the job itself includes work that falls into a notifiable category.
Changes to existing circuits
Many additions or alterations to an existing circuit outside the defined special locations are non-notifiable.
Built-in equipment
Approved Document P gives the example of fitting a built-in cooker as non-notifiable where no new cooker circuit is required.
Existing supply points
Connecting equipment such as an electric gate to an existing isolator can be non-notifiable; installing a new circuit to supply it would be notifiable.
Non-notifiable does not mean “no rules”
The work still needs to comply with the relevant Building Regulations safety requirements. It should also be properly inspected, tested and documented as appropriate for the work carried out.
06
Do electricians need to be “Part P registered”?
You will often hear people say that an electrician is “Part P registered”. Strictly speaking, Part P is a Building Regulations requirement — it is not a membership card or qualification.
Registered with a self-certification scheme
An electrician registered with an authorised scheme can self-certify the types of work covered by their registration instead of using a separate Building Control approval route for each job.
Not registered with a scheme
Scheme membership is voluntary. A person carrying out notifiable work may need to use Building Control or another permitted certification route rather than self-certifying through a scheme.
NICEIC or NAPIT membership is not what makes somebody an electrician
Scheme registration is about demonstrating competence and gaining a self-certification route for covered Building Regulations work. Qualifications, experience and competence are separate questions.
07
How do competent person schemes work?
Government guidance now commonly refers to these as self-certification schemes. They allow approved installers to certify certain types of Building Regulations work themselves.
The scheme checks that the person or business meets its competence and membership requirements for the work covered.
The work still has to comply with the Building Regulations and relevant electrical safety requirements.
For work covered by the registration, the installer can use the scheme route instead of arranging separate Building Control approval.
The customer receives the relevant certification and the Building Regulations notification is handled through the scheme process.
Competence requirements were updated in 2026
The government published an updated mandatory technical competence framework for self-certification schemes in July 2026. Anyone considering scheme registration should check the current requirements of the scheme they intend to join rather than relying on older forum posts or course adverts.
08
Certificates, testing and Building Control
A Building Regulations compliance certificate and an electrical installation certificate are related to the same job, but they serve different purposes.
Electrical work should be inspected and tested as appropriate. Electrical certificates or reports record details of the installation and work carried out.
For notifiable work, a permitted certification route is used to show compliance with the Building Regulations. Registered installers can handle this through their scheme for work within their registration.
Where self-certification is not being used, Building Control can be involved. Approved Document P also provides for registered third-party certification in the circumstances set out in the rules.
Do not confuse notification with electrical testing
A job being non-notifiable does not remove the need to carry out the electrical work safely or to inspect, test and provide the appropriate electrical documentation for the work.
09
Part P vs BS 7671: what is the difference?
They are closely connected, which is why they are often mixed up. But they do different jobs.
Part P
Building Regulations requirement
Part P sets the requirement to make reasonable provision for electrical safety in dwellings in England. It also sits within the Building Regulations notification and certification system.
BS 7671
Electrical installation standard
BS 7671 contains the detailed requirements used by the electrical industry for the design, installation and verification of electrical installations. It is commonly known as the Wiring Regulations or 18th Edition.
Want to understand the Wiring Regulations in more detail? Read our 18th Edition guide.
10
What does Part P mean for someone becoming an electrician?
If you want to work in domestic electrical installation, understanding Part P is important — but learning Part P on its own does not make you a qualified electrician.
Build the electrical foundation
Your main route should develop proper installation knowledge, practical ability, inspection and testing skills and workplace competence.
Understand domestic rules
Learn where Part P applies, which jobs need notification and how the certification routes work in the area where you intend to work.
Consider scheme registration later
If your work will include notifiable domestic jobs, self-certification scheme membership may become commercially useful once you meet the scheme's competence requirements.
Part P is one part of becoming competent in domestic work
If you are starting from scratch, begin with the full training and qualification route rather than searching for a short “Part P course” as a substitute for becoming properly trained.
If you are still planning your route, start with How to Become an Electrician or our Electrical Apprenticeships guide.
11
Frequently asked questions
What is Part P in simple terms?
Part P is the part of the Building Regulations in England that deals with electrical safety in homes. It requires reasonable provision to protect people from fire and injury caused by electrical installations.
Does Part P apply to all electrical work in a home?
Electrical installation work within the scope of Part P must comply with its safety requirement, but not every job has to be notified to Building Control. England has a smaller list of notifiable work, including new circuits, replacement consumer units and certain work in special locations.
What electrical work is notifiable under Part P in England?
The current Approved Document P identifies three main categories: installing a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, and additions or alterations to existing circuits within a defined special location such as the relevant zones around a bath or shower, or a room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.
Is changing a socket or light fitting notifiable?
Normally not in England if it is a replacement, repair or maintenance job and does not involve work that falls into one of the notifiable categories. The work must still be safe and comply with the applicable requirements.
Do I have to join NICEIC or NAPIT to carry out domestic electrical work?
No. Membership of an authorised self-certification scheme is voluntary. Scheme membership gives an installer a route to self-certify certain Building Regulations work. Other routes, including Building Control and registered third-party certification where available, can also be used.
Is Part P the same as the 18th Edition?
No. Part P is part of the Building Regulations in England. BS 7671, commonly called the Wiring Regulations or 18th Edition, is the technical standard used for electrical installation work. They are closely connected but they are not the same thing.
Does Part P apply in Scotland?
Not in the same way. Scotland uses its own Building (Scotland) Regulations and Building Standards Technical Handbooks. Electricians working there should follow the Scottish system rather than assuming England's Part P notification rules apply.
Does Part P apply in Wales?
Wales has its own Approved Document P and its own Building Regulations guidance. The general aim is electrical safety in dwellings, but the notification rules are not identical to England, so Welsh guidance should be checked for work carried out in Wales.
Source and accuracy
This guide was reviewed against current official Building Regulations guidance on 16 August 2026. The detailed notification rules in this article are for England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own guidance or building-control systems. Always check the current official rules for the location and type of work involved.
Electrical Guides
Continue learning
Regulations
18th Edition Wiring Regulations
Understand what BS 7671 is, who needs the qualification and how it fits into electrical work.
Qualifications
Inspection & Testing Qualifications
Learn how inspection and testing qualifications fit into an electrician's progression.
Careers
How to Become an Electrician
See the recognised routes into the electrical industry and how the main qualifications fit together.