Electricity (Prescribed Classes of Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2023
This notice is issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (“Board”) pursuant to sections 84, 85 and 86 of the Electricity Act 1992. The notice follows the approval of the Minister of Building and Construction under section 89 and prescribes classes of registration, the electrical work that each class is authorised to do, and minimum requirements and standards for registration for each class.
The development of this notice has been guided by the principles set out in section 87 of the Electricity Act 1992.
Issued at Wellington this 1st day of September 2023.
DUNCAN CONNOR, Registrar of the Electrical Workers Registration Board.
Notice
1. Title
This notice is the Electricity (Prescribed Classes of Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2023.
2. Commencement
This notice commences on 1 September 2024, with the exception of the following classes of registration set out in Schedule 1 of this notice:
Class of Registration (Schedule 1) | Commencement Date |
---|---|
Schedule 1, Items 2-5, 7-11, 13-17, 19-21, 23-26, 28-29, 32, 34-35, 37, 39, 41 (all classes of registration linked to another class of registration) | 1 September 2025 |
Schedule 1, Items 7 (Electrician), 19 (Electrical Installer), 23 (Electrical Service Technician), and 28 (Electrical Appliance Serviceperson) | 1 September 2026 |
The remainder of the notice | 1 September 2024 |
3. Interpretation
Terms used have the same meanings as those defined in either section 2 of the Electricity Act 1992, regulation 4 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, or section 5 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010, unless the context requires otherwise.
Definitions or acronyms not provided in the Electricity Act 1992, Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, or Electricity Industry Act 2010. |
PEW – means Prescribed Electrical Work as defined by the Electricity Act 1992 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. |
ESR – means the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. |
Authorised – means in relation to a person; holds a current practising licence issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board that approves the holder to carry out that PEW. |
Restoration of supply – means all PEW necessary to allow the safe reinstatement of a supply to an installation following a loss of supply due to a fault situation. This includes any work inside the Main Earth Neutral Switch Board on the consumers mains, including the fittings, but does not extend to sub-circuits and their protective devices. Sub-circuits may be isolated to allow for the safe restoration of supply. |
Facilitate – means assist or enable or allow a person to do something, to achieve a particular result. |
Assessment – means the application of correct practices and procedures to evaluate and determine the safety and compliance of something against the essential standards, principles and practices necessary to achieve an accurate conclusion. |
Medical cardiac protected area – means a patient treatment area that is classified as a cardiac-protected electrical area in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3003. |
Competent or competence – means, in relation to a person, can demonstrate at any time they have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience, training and qualification to carry out the work safely and in compliance with the legislation and work standards applied by the industry. |
Traction – means an electric system comprising of a network of conductors supplying electrical energy which is used for the propulsion of a vehicle that is required to be in continual contact with the system in order to operate. |
4. Classes of Registration
The classes of registration are those set out in Schedule 1 of this notice.
5. Prescribed Electrical Work
The prescribed electrical work that a person is authorised to do or assist in doing by virtue of being a registered person of that particular class and holding a current practising licence is set out in Schedule 1 of this notice.
6. Minimum Standards for Registration
The minimum standards that persons must meet in order to be registered as registered persons and to be issued with practising licences for each class of registration are those set out in Schedule 2 of this notice.
7. 2019 Notice Remains Partially in Force
Any references to the classifications set out in clause 9 in the 2019 notice remain in force until such time they are specifically revoked in this notice (see clauses 9 to 11 below), regardless of clause 8.
8. Revocation
The Electricity (Prescribed Classes of Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2019, New Zealand Gazette, 17 April 2019, Notice No. 2019-go1760(external link) and associated corrigendum New Zealand Gazette, 17 June 2019, Notice No. 2019-go2627(external link) are partially revoked (see clause 7).
9. Classifications for the Purpose of Clause 7
For the purposes of clause 7, the classifications are:
- Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed)
- Electrical Appliance Serviceperson
- Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed to Disconnect and Connect)
- Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining)
- Electrical Installer
- Electrical Service Technician
- Electrician
- Electrician (Endorsed Mining).
10. Transitional Provisions for Classes of Registration Being Revoked in 2025
- Before 1 September 2025, any person may be registered and issued with a practising licence for one of the relevant prescribed classes (2025) if the person met the minimum standards for the relevant class in the 2019 notice.
- Any references to the relevant prescribed classes (2025) in the 2019 notice are revoked on 1 September 2025.
- From 1 September 2025 to be registered to perform the electrical work of one or more of the relevant prescribed classes (2025), a person must meet the requirements in this notice.
- For the purpose of this clause, relevant prescribed classes (2025) mean the following classes:
- Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed)
- Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed to Disconnect and Connect)
- Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining)
- Electrician (Endorsed Mining).
11. Transitional Provisions for Classes of Registration Being Revoked in 2026
- Before 1 September 2026, any person may be registered and issued with a practising licence for one of the relevant prescribed classes (2026) if the person met the minimum standards for the relevant class in the 2019 notice.
- Any references to the relevant prescribed classes (2026) in the 2019 notice are revoked on 1 September 2026.
- From 1 September 2026 to be registered to perform the electrical work of one or more of the relevant prescribed classes (2026), a person must meet the requirements in this notice.
- For the purpose of this clause, relevant prescribed classes (2026) mean the following classes:
- Electrical Appliance Serviceperson
- Electrical Installer
- Electrical Service Technician
- Electrician.
Schedule 1
Classes of registration designated by the Board under the Electricity Act 1992, section 84(1)(a) and the prescribed electrical Work specified by the Board for each class under the Electricity Act 1992, section 84(1)(b).
A person may concurrently hold registration in more than one class of registration.
Item | Class of Registration | Prescribed Electrical Work |
---|---|---|
1 | Electrical Inspector | (1) An Electrical Inspector may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
|
2 | Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining Operations) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Inspector may carry out, an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining Operations) may carry out all PEW in a mining operation, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining Operations) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
3 | Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Inspector may carry out, an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) may carry out all PEW in a hazardous area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
4 | Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Inspector may carry out, an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Areas) may carry out all PEW in a Medical Cardiac Protected Area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
5 | Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Inspector may carry out, an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) may carry out all PEW in Mains Parallel Generation Systems, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
6 | Electrician | (1) An Electrician may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
|
7 | Electrician (Endorsed Mining Operations) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrician may carry out, an Electrician (Endorsed Mining Operations) may carry out all PEW in a mining operation, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrician (Endorsed Mining Operations) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
8 | Electrician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrician may carry out, an Electrician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) may carry out all PEW in a hazardous area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
9 | Electrician (Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrician may carry out, an Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Areas) may carry out all PEW in a Medical Cardiac Protected Area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
10 | Electrician (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrician may carry out, an Electrician (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) may carry out all PEW in Mains Parallel Generation Systems, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrician (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
11 | Electrician (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding an Electrician (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
|
12 | Electrical Engineer | (1) An Electrical Engineer may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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13 | Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mining Operations) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Engineer may carry out, an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mining Operations) may carry out all PEW in a mining operation, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mining Operations) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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14 | Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Engineer may carry out, an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) may carry out all PEW in a hazardous area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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15 | Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Engineer may carry out, an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Areas) may carry out all PEW in a Medical Cardiac Protected Area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
16 | Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Engineer may carry out, an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) may carry out all PEW in Mains Parallel Generation Systems, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
17 | Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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18 | Electrical Installer | (1) An Electrical Installer may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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19 | Electrical Installer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Installer may carry out, an Electrical Installer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) may carry out all PEW in a hazardous area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Installer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
20 | Electrical Installer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Installer may carry out, an Electrical Installer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Areas) may carry out all PEW in a Medical Cardiac Protected Area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Installer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) class of registration does not permit a person to:
|
21 | Electrical Installer (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding an Electrical Installer (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
|
22 | Electrical Service Technician | (1) An Electrical Service Technician may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
|
23 | Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Mining Operations) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Service Technician may carry out, an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Mining Operations) may carry out low-risk PEW in a mining operation, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Mining Operations) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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24 | Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Service Technician may carry out, an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) may carry out low-risk PEW in a hazardous area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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25 | Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Service Technician may carry out, an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) may carry out low-risk PEW in a Medical Cardiac Protected Area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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26 | Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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27 | Electrical Appliance Serviceperson | (1) An Electrical Appliance Serviceperson may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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28 | Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson may carry out, an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) may carry out PEW in a Medical Cardiac Protected Area, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) An Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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29 | Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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30 | Associated Tradesperson | (1) An Associated Tradesperson may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on installations and appliances:
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31 | Transmission Line Mechanic | (1) A Transmission Line Mechanic may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on works:
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32 | Transmission Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding a Transmission Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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33 | Traction Line Mechanic | (1) A Traction Line Mechanic may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on installations, works and appliances:
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34 | Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Mining Operations) | (1) In addition to the prescribed work a Traction Line Mechanic may carry out, a Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Mining Operations) may carry out PEW in a mining operation, in accordance with the limits of their class of registration. (2) A Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Mining Operations) class of registration does not permit a person to:
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35 | Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding a Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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36 | Distribution Line Mechanic | (1) A Distribution Line Mechanic may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on installations, works and appliances:
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37 | Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding a Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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38 | Substation Maintainer | (1) A Substation Maintainer may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on installations, works and appliances:
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39 | Substation Maintainer (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding a Substation Maintainer (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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40 | Cable Jointer | (1) A Cable Jointer may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on installations and works:
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41 | Cable Jointer (Endorsed Supervision) | (1) A person holding a Cable Jointer (Endorsed Supervision) class of registration may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board:
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Schedule 2
For each class of registration, the minimum standards for registration prescribed by the Board under the Electricity Act 1992 section 85(1)(a).
A person may concurrently hold registration in more than one class of registration.
Class of Registration | Minimum Standards for Registration |
Electrical Inspector | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Inspector must have:
|
Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining Operations) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining Operations) must have:
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Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) must have:
|
Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) must have:
|
Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) must have:
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Electrician | Those seeking registration as an Electrician must have:
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Electrician (Endorsed Mining Operations) | Those seeking registration as an Electrician (Endorsed Mining Operations) must have:
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Electrician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) must have:
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Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) must have:
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Electrician (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) | Those seeking registration as an Electrician (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) must have:
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Electrician (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as an Electrician (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Electrical Engineer | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Engineer must hold:
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Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mining Operations) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mining Operations) must have:
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Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) must have:
|
Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Area) must have:
|
Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems) must have:
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Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Engineer (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Electrical Installer | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Installer must have:
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Electrical Installer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Installer (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) must have:
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Electrical Installer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Installer (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) must have:
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Electrical Installer (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Installer (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Electrical Service Technician | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Service Technician must have:
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Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Mining Operations) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Mining Operations) must have:
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Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Hazardous Areas) must have:
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Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) must have:
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Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Service Technician (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Electrical Appliance Serviceperson | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson must have:
|
Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Medical Cardiac Protected Areas) must have:
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Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Associated Tradesperson | Those seeking registration as an Associated Tradesperson must:
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Transmission Line Mechanic | Those seeking registration as a Transmission Line Mechanic must have:
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Transmission Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as a Transmission Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Traction Line Mechanic | Those seeking registration as a Traction Line Mechanic must have:
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Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Mining Operations) | Those seeking registration as a Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Mining Operations) must have:
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Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as a Traction Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Distribution Line Mechanic | Those seeking registration as a Distribution Line Mechanic must have:
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Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as a Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Substation Maintainer | Those seeking registration as a Substation Maintainer must have:
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Substation Maintainer (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as a Substation Maintainer (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Cable Jointer | Those seeking registration as a Cable Jointer must have:
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Cable Jointer (Endorsed Supervision) | Those seeking registration as a Cable Jointer (Endorsed Supervision) must have:
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Explanatory Note
This note is for explanatory purposes only.
The Electrical Workers Registration Board (“Board”) has responsibility for the registration and licensing of electrical workers. This notice sets out the classes of registration, the prescribed electrical work those classes are authorised to carry out when holding a practising licence and the minimum standard to obtain a registration in a particular class.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice the Board published a notice that prescribes requirements for competence programmes for applicants and holders of certain licences under the Electricity Act 1992 (“Electricity (Prescribed Requirements for Competence Programmes Notice 2023”).
Corrigendum—Electricity (Prescribed Classes of Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2023
In the notice with the above title, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 1 September 2023, Notice No. 2023-sl4075(external link), the item numbering for the classes of registration listed in row two of the table under “2. Commencement” is incorrect. The correct item numbering for row two is as follows:
Class of registration (Schedule 1) | Commencement date |
---|---|
Schedule 1, Items 6 (Electrician), 18 (Electrical Installer), 22 (Electrical Service Technician), and 27 (Electrical Appliance Serviceperson) | 1 September 2026 |
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. All other details remain the same.
DUNCAN CONNOR, Registrar of the Electrical Workers Registration Board.