Electrical Engineer
Registration New Zealand experience pathway
Registration requirements
To become an Electrical Engineer, you must complete the following requirements:
Experience pathway
- Complete one of the below Electrical Engineer qualifications:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) qualification or
- National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) (Level 6), or
- New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Electrical); OR
- an equivalent Electrical Engineer qualification as determined by either the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority;
AND
- Pass the Electricians Regulations coursework and written examination;
- Complete the Electricians stage 1, 2 and 3 practical assessments;
- Complete the approved Safety training within the prescribed time frame
Safety training; - Complete a Competence programme course this needs to be entered into our online system by your course provider (must be active and current at the time of applying for your practising licence)
Competence programme course; and - Complete 2 years (4000 hours) practical training/experience in the work of an Electrical Engineer that is satisfactory to the Board.
IMPORTANT: Your New Zealand work experience MUST be completed while holding an Electrical Engineer Trainee Limited Certificate.
Registration class
Electrical Engineer
Minimum amount of work experience required
2 years (4000 hours)
Required work experience
All electrical work (except work in a mining operation) and includes:
- At least 9 months (1500 hours) of experience of wiring installation within buildings
- Installing and connecting high and low voltage single phase and multiphase cables (overhead /underground) and associated fittings
- Installing electrical wiring and equipment in commercial and domestic buildings
- Installing Switchboards
- Installing lighting and power outlets and appliances
- Earthing /bonding
- Fault-finding
- Testing
- Certification
2 years (4000 hours) of the work of an electrician above which must include at least 9 months (1500 hours) of installation wiring work.
OR
Electrical work can be limited to specific area of experience and expertise.
This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will need to have evidence of practical “hands on” work experience including at least 9 months (1500 hours) of installation wiring experience.
Areas of work can range (but not limited to) examples below:
- High and medium voltage power generation, transmission, distribution substations, protection, and control systems.
Required documents
You must provide the following documents in your application.
Certified proof of identity
- A certified copy of the front and back of your current New Zealand Driver’s Licence; or
- A certified copy of your Passport biographic page
*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.
The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.
Work history references from Board approved supervisor
You must provide detailed references of your work experience.
Your references must:
- Detail the prescribed electrical work experience that you have completed
Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation; - Include the start and end dates of employment for each company;
- Contain sufficient experience in the area you seek registration;
- Be on company letterhead;
- Be signed and dated by your Board approved supervisor on your file; and
- Contain email contact details for your supervisor
Electrical Engineer Qualification
A certified colour copy of your Electrical Engineer qualification official certificate (don’t submit original documents):
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) qualification or
- National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) (Level 6), or
- New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Electrical).
If your qualification is not listed above, you must have your Electrical Engineer qualification assessed by Engineering NZ or NZQA, and it must be NZQA Level 6 or higher to be accepted.
You must submit the equivalency statement in your registration application.
Only “Electrical” Engineer qualifications are accepted.
*Certified: Certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a Solicitor or NZ Court Registrar.
The official confirmation that the copies of your documents are identical to the original documents. The confirmation is issued by an authorised public authority or a Notary.
Passport quality photo
- A photo that meets the criteria for your ID card:
- A face, head and shoulders shot, looking directly at the camera and less than 6 months old;
- Plain, light coloured background;
- No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses OR headwear that obscures your face;
- 3:4 – width to height ratio, in full colour;
- Between 50KB and 5MB in size (or printed image for paper applications); and
- Saved in .jpg or .jpeg format.
- Check that your photo meets the requirements here:
Online photo checker – New Zealand passports
Payment details
You can pay for your application by credit or debit card. All payments made outside the New Zealand banking system must be made by credit card.
Application checklist
Information on certified documents
Before you apply
Have you completed the registration requirements?
You must complete the registration requirements before you apply.
Check the “Registration requirements” above to ensure you have completed all the requirements.
If you apply and you have not completed the requirements, your application will be declined and the application fee will not be refunded.