EICR Training and Ongoing CPD: How We Keep Our Engineers Up to Date

At Manchester Compliance Ltd, we believe that the quality of an EICR is only as good as the engineer carrying it out. That’s why we invest heavily in ongoing training and professional development for every member of our team.

Electrical regulations don’t stand still — and neither should the people responsible for inspecting, testing, and certifying electrical installations. In this article, we explain why ongoing training matters, what’s changing in 2026, and how we keep our engineers at the top of their game.

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Why Ongoing Training Matters for EICR Engineers

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is one of the most safety-critical tasks an electrician can perform. As a result, getting it wrong can mean missed hazards, incorrect coding, failed compliance — and ultimately, putting people at risk.

Furthermore, the electrical industry changes constantly:

• BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) is updated regularly with new amendments
• New technologies like battery storage systems, EV chargers, and smart home installations create new inspection challenges
• Government regulations around landlord compliance and fire safety continue to tighten
• Coding standards and observation requirements evolve with each amendment

Consequently, an engineer who qualified five years ago but hasn’t kept up to date may not be aware of current requirements. That’s a risk to the property, the occupants, and the contractor’s professional standing.

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What Qualifications Do EICR Engineers Need?

In order to carry out an EICR, an electrician must hold:

• A Level 3 Certificate in Inspection and Testing — such as City & Guilds 2391-52 or equivalent
• Current BS 7671 qualification — the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (currently BS 7671:2018)
• Registration with an approved scheme — such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA
• Documented CPD (Continuing Professional Development) — evidence of ongoing learning

However, qualifications alone aren’t enough. The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) now makes it clear that engineers must demonstrate ongoing competence — not just rely on a certificate earned years ago.

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The October 2026 Deadline: What’s Changing

Two major changes are converging in October 2026 that every EICR engineer needs to be prepared for:

1. Updated EAS Competency Requirements

Firstly, the updated Electrotechnical Assessment Specification raises the bar for anyone carrying out periodic inspection and testing. Specifically, by October 2026, every individual conducting EICRs must demonstrate:

• A recognised Level 3 qualification in inspection and testing
• At least two years’ practical experience specifically in periodic inspection and testing
• Documented CPD showing their knowledge is current with the latest BS 7671 amendments

In other words, it is no longer sufficient for a business to simply “have a tester.” Instead, each individual must meet these criteria independently.

2. BS 7671 Amendment 4

Secondly, Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018 was announced in January 2026 and becomes mandatory from 15 October 2026 when the current regulations are withdrawn.

In particular, this amendment introduces five major new areas:

• Battery energy storage systems — increasingly common in domestic and commercial properties
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) installations — a growing area in commercial buildings
• Functional earthing for ICT systems — critical for modern office and data installations
• Low-voltage generators — backup power systems that EICR testers will increasingly encounter
• Energy efficiency design frameworks — a new consideration for electrical installations

Therefore, EICR engineers need to be able to recognise compliant vs non-compliant installations for all of these new areas — even if they don’t install them themselves.

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CPD Requirements: What NICEIC Expects

Since 2020, the EAS has required all electrotechnical certification bodies — including NICEIC — to ensure their certified businesses are completing and recording CPD.

As a result, here are the key points every NICEIC-registered contractor should know:

• CPD evidence is checked at every annual assessment — you must show documented evidence for every person who undertakes electrotechnical work in your business
• From March 2025, businesses that can’t show CPD records at assessment are given just 30 days to provide them
• The EAS recommends a minimum of 10 hours of CPD per year, though there’s no fixed requirement — what matters is that you’re doing it and recording it
• All team members must have CPD records, not just the qualified supervisor or principal duty holder

What Counts as CPD?

Importantly, CPD doesn’t have to mean expensive classroom courses. For example, qualifying activities include:

• Attending training courses and webinars
• Reading technical publications and regulation updates
• Completing e-learning modules
• Attending trade shows and industry events
• Calling the NICEIC Technical Helpline with queries
• Internal team training sessions and toolbox talks
• Manufacturer product training

Above all, the key is to record what you did, when you did it, and what you learned. In addition, NICEIC provides a CPD record template to make this straightforward.

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How We Keep Our Engineers Up to Date at Manchester Compliance

At Manchester Compliance Ltd, ongoing training isn’t an afterthought — it’s built into how we operate. For instance, here’s what we do:

• Regular BS 7671 update training — every engineer completes amendment training as soon as updates are published
• Internal technical sessions — we run regular team sessions covering common EICR findings, coding queries, and best practice
• External CPD courses — our engineers attend accredited training throughout the year
• Manufacturer training — hands-on sessions with products like consumer units, RCBOs, AFDDs, and fire-rated downlights
• Peer review and quality checks — certificates are reviewed internally before being issued to clients
• Documented CPD records — every engineer maintains a full CPD log, ready for NICEIC assessment at any time

As a result, this investment in training means our clients — whether landlords, letting agents, or homeowners — can trust that every EICR we issue is accurate, thorough, and fully compliant with current standards.

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What This Means for Landlords and Property Managers

When you book an EICR, you’re trusting the engineer to identify every hazard, code every observation correctly, and produce a report that stands up to scrutiny from local authorities and insurers.

With this in mind, here are questions worth asking your electrical contractor:

• Are your engineers qualified to the current edition of BS 7671?
• Do they hold a Level 3 Inspection and Testing qualification?
• Can you provide evidence of ongoing CPD?
• Are you registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or another approved scheme?
• Are you prepared for the October 2026 EAS and Amendment 4 changes?

Ultimately, if the answer to any of these is unclear, it may be worth reconsidering who carries out your electrical inspections.

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Book With Confidence

At Manchester Compliance Ltd, every engineer on our team is fully qualified, NICEIC-registered, and committed to ongoing professional development. We don’t cut corners on training because we don’t cut corners on safety.

We serve Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Wigan, and surrounding areas.

Published February 2026 by Manchester Compliance Ltd — NICEIC Approved Contractor serving Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the North West.