How to become an electrical contractor
Electrical work is one of the few trades where the law decides who may do the work and sign it off. If you want to run your own electrical business and issue Certificates of Compliance, here is the path.
Qualify as an electrician
It starts with a trade qualification: training (through an apprenticeship, learnership or college route) followed by the electrical trade test. Experience on real installations matters as much as the certificate.
Become a registered person
Under the Electrical Installation Regulations, only a registered person may test and certify electrical installations. There are three categories:
- Electrical tester for single phase: single-phase installations
- Installation electrician: single- and three-phase installations
- Master installation electrician: all installations, including specialised ones
You register with the Department of Employment and Labour after meeting the qualification and practical requirements for your category, including the installation rules exam.
Register the business as an electrical contractor
To do electrical installation work as a business, the business itself must be registered as an electrical contractor with the Department of Employment and Labour, and it must either be a registered person or employ one full time, have a fixed address and a phone, and renew its registration every year. A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) may only be issued by a registered person working for a registered electrical contractor.
Running it well
- Never sign a CoC for work you have not inspected and tested yourself. Your registration is on the line.
- Keep copies of every CoC and test report.
- Carry public liability insurance and register with COIDA when you employ staff.
- Solar and backup power installations are a growing market. Learn the requirements for them before you quote.
Show customers you are legit
Customers are learning to ask for proof. Put your registration on your quotes, and get a free verified BizBoost listing so homeowners can see you are a checked, registered business. Our guide for customers, how to check if an electrician is registered, tells them what to look for.
Common questions
Who can issue an electrical Certificate of Compliance in South Africa?
Only a registered person (electrical tester for single phase, installation electrician or master installation electrician) working for a registered electrical contractor, within the scope of their registration category.
What is a wireman's licence?
It is the common name for being a registered person under the Electrical Installation Regulations, which allows you to test and certify installations within your category.
Can I start an electrical business without being registered?
You cannot legally do electrical installation work or issue CoCs as a business unless the business is a registered electrical contractor employing a registered person.