Electrical Engineer

To become an Electrical Engineer, you must complete the following requirements:

• Complete one of the below Electrical Engineer qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) qualification
  • National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) (Level 6)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Electrical)
  • 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 exam
• Complete the Electrician stages 1, 2 and 3 practical exams
• Complete the approved Safety training within the prescribed time frame
• Complete a Competence Programme course – this needs to be entered into our online system by your course provider and must be active and current at the time of applying for your Practising Licence
• Complete not less than 2 years (4000 hours) practical 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.

Trainee Limited Certificates

Registration class

Electrical Engineer

Minimum amount of work experience required

2 years (4000 hours)

Required work experience

• At least 12 months (2000 hours) of experience installing electrical wiring and equipment in domestic, commerical and/or industrial buildings
• Installing and connecting high- and/or low-voltage single-phase and multiphase cables and associated fittings
• Installing overhead and underground high- and/or low-voltage cabling
• Installing switchboards and protective devices, including residual current devices and circuit breakers
• Installing lighting, power outlets and fixed-wired appliances
• Earthing
• Fault-finding
• Testing and Certification

OR

Electrical work can be limited to a specific area of experience and expertise. 

This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Areas of work can include (but are not limited to):

• High- and medium-voltage power generation
• Transmission
• Distribution substations
• Protection
• Control systems.

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 Licence; or
• A certified copy of your current Passport biographic page.
• If you do not have a Passport or New Zealand Driver Licence, please refer to the Certified documents page on our website for more information. 

Certified documents

*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 covering 2 years (4000 hours)
• Include the start and end dates of employment for each company
• Include the number of hours, days, weeks, or months of work experience you have completed
• 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
• Contain email contact details for your supervisor.

Prescribed electrical work – New Zealand Legislation

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
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical), or
• New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electrical) (Level 6).

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

ID photo requirements

Check that your photo meets the requirements:

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.