Electricity (Prescribed Requirements for Competence Programmes) Notice 2019

This notice is issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board pursuant to section 85 of the Electricity Act 1992, after the approval of the Minister of Building and Construction under section 89 and prescribes requirements for competence programmes for applicants and holders of certain licences under the Act.

Issued at Wellington this 17th day of April 2019.

DUNCAN CONNOR, Registrar of the Electrical Workers Registration Board.

Notice

1. Title

This notice is the Electricity (Prescribed Requirements for Competence Programmes) Notice 2019.

2. Commencement

This notice commences 6 months from the date in which it is notified in the New Zealand Gazette.

3. Competence Programme Requirements – all classes of licence

Applicants for all classes of practising licence (including renewal) must comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 1 of this notice.

4. Competence Programme Requirements – all licensed persons not involved in high voltage installation

All persons not involved in high voltage installation must comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 2A of this notice.

5. Competence Programme Requirements – all licensed persons involved in high voltage installation

All persons involved in high voltage installation must comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 2B of this notice.

6. Revocation

The prescribed requirements relating to the completion of competence programmes in response of persons applying for practising licenses or applying for renewals of practising licenses notice number 45 dated 27 April 2017 is revoked.

Schedule 1

Competence Programme Requirements – all classes of licence

clause 4, section 85

Registration Class	Competence Programme Requirement
All classes of Licence	Applicants for all classes of practising licence (including the renewal of practising licences) must have completed a Competence Programme as set out in this notice. Applicants for all classes of practising licence (including the renewal of practising licences) must have completed a Competence Programme within a period of two years immediately before the date of each application. Competence Programme is made up of Board approved courses of instruction in: electrical safety; and basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. A Professional Development Programme constitutes a Competence Programme if it contains a Board approved course of instruction in electrical safety; and basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Subject material for the electrical safety aspect of Competence Programmes and Professional Development Programme is set out in Schedule 2 of this notice. Subject material for the basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation aspect of Competence Programmes or a Professional Development Programme is instruction in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and must be provided so as to achieve the CPRL2 requirements of the New Zealand Resuscitation Council. First aid instruction must be provided in accordance with material published by either the New Zealand Red Cross or St John New Zealand. Provided that is the case, the subject material of those courses of instruction will be deemed to be approved by the Board.

Registration Class

Competence Programme Requirement

All classes of Licence

Applicants for all classes of practising licence (including the renewal of practising licences) must have completed a Competence Programme as set out in this notice.

Applicants for all classes of practising licence (including the renewal of practising licences) must have completed a Competence Programme within a period of two years immediately before the date of each application. Competence Programme is made up of Board approved courses of instruction in:

electrical safety; and
basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

A Professional Development Programme constitutes a Competence Programme if it contains a Board approved course of instruction in

electrical safety; and
basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Subject material for the electrical safety aspect of Competence Programmes and Professional Development Programme is set out in Schedule 2 of this notice.

Subject material for the basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation aspect of Competence Programmes or a Professional Development Programme is instruction in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and must be provided so as to achieve the CPRL2 requirements of the New Zealand Resuscitation Council. First aid instruction must be provided in accordance with material published by either the New Zealand Red Cross or St John New Zealand. Provided that is the case, the subject material of those courses of instruction will be deemed to be approved by the Board.

Schedule 2A

Competence Programme Requirements – all licensed persons not involved in high voltage installation

clause 5, section 85

The following subject material must be included in the electrical safety aspect of the Competence Programme or a Professional Development Programme for the respective practising licence classes where any person applying for a practising licence is engaged either full time or part time on low voltage electrical installations designed and constructed to AS/NZS 3000 and on electrical appliances that are supplied from such installations:
Electrical Inspector Option One and Two	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The installation, operation and testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining)	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The installation, operation, and testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards And in relation to the Endorsement: The requirements of AS/NZS 3007 The safety principles that apply to mining The performance of safety functions required for mining activities and mining electrical equipment
Electrician	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The installation, operation and testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrician (Endorsed Mining)	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The installation, operation and testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards And in relation to the Endorsement: The requirements of AS/NZS 3007 The safety principles that apply to mining The performance of safety functions required for mining activities and mining electrical equipment
Electrical Engineer Option One and Two	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The installation, operation and testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Installer Option One and Two	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The installation, operation and testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Service Technician	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Operation and operational testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing requirements in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3760 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed to Disconnect and Connect)	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Operation and operational testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing requirements in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3760 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Appliance Serviceperson	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 The purpose, usage and operational testing of residual current devices Prospective short circuit currents Testing requirements in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Associated Tradesperson	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Operation and operational testing of residual current devices (RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD) Prospective short circuit currents Testing requirements in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3760 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Traction Line Mechanic	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Distribution Line Mechanic	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed)	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Cable Jointer	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Substation Maintainer	Supervision Earthing requirements as listed in AS/NZS 3000 Testing and certification as listed in AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3760 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards

Schedule 2B

Competence Programme Requirements – all licensed persons involved in high voltage installation

clause 6, section 85

The following subject material must be included in the electrical safety aspect of the Competence Programme for the respective practising licence classes where any person applying for a practising licence is engaged either full or part time on works or high voltage electrical installations or on high voltage plant and equipment supplied from works or such installations:
Electrical Inspector	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Mining)	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Inspection of electrical fittings installed by others An update on changes to regulations and/or standards and And in relation to the Endorsement: The requirements of AS/NZ 3007 The safety principles that apply to mining The performance of safety functions required for mining activities and mining electrical equipment
Electrician	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrician (Endorsed Mining)	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards And in relation to the Endorsement: The requirements of AS/NZ 3007 The safety principles that apply to mining The performance of safety functions required for mining activities and mining electrical equipment
Electrical Engineer	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Installer	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Electrical Service Technician	Supervision Prospective short circuit currents Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations The installation, operation and testing of electrical protection equipment, including current and voltage transformers Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Transmission Line Mechanic	Supervision Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Traction Line Mechanic	Supervision Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Distribution Line Mechanic	Supervision Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed)	Supervision Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Cable Jointer	Supervision Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards
Substation Maintainer	Supervision Electrical safe distances and their application as listed in ECP 34 Earthing requirements as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the use of bonding and equipotential zones to comply with Regulation 8 of those regulations Testing and certification as listed in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 An update on changes to regulations and/or standards

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. Concurrent with the publication of this notice the Board published a notice prescribing the classes of registration for electrical workers including limits of work in respect of each class and requirements/standards for registration (“Electricity (Prescribed Classes of Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2019”).

The Electricity (Prescribed Classes of Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2019 (New Zealand Gazette, 17 April 2019, Notice No. 2019-go1760(external link)) creates new classes of registration and changes some of the existing classes of registration. To align with those changes it is necessary that the requirements relating to the completion of Competence Programmes be amended.

This Gazette notice does not change the Competence Programme requirements. It only establishes the Competence Programme requirements for the new or changed classes of registration.

The requirements relating to the completion of Competence Programmes, in respect of persons applying for practising licences or applying for renewals of practising licences, come into force six months from the date that this notice is gazetted. These requirements are set out in the Schedules above.

A revocation to this notice was published on 1 September 2023, Notice (external link)No. 2023-sl4076(external link).

Corrigendum—Electricity (Prescribed Requirements for Competence Programmes) Notice 2019

In the notice with the above heading published in the New Zealand Gazette, 17 April 2019, Notice No. 2019-go1762(external link):

In clause 6, “Revocation”, replace the paragraph

“The prescribed requirements relating to the completion of competence programmes in response of persons applying for practising licenses or applying for renewals of practising licenses notice number 45 dated 27 April 2017 is revoked.”

with

“The notice titled “The Prescribed Requirements Relating to the Completion of Competence Programmes in Respect of Persons Applying for Practising Licences or Applying for Renewals of Practising Licences”, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 27 April 2017, Issue No. 45, Notice No. 2017-go1985(external link), is revoked.”

Issued at Wellington this 17th day of June 2019.

DUNCAN CONNOR, Registrar of the Electrical Workers Registration Board.