Electrician

Registration New Zealand experience pathway

Registration requirements

To become an Electrician, you must complete the following requirements:

  • Pass the Electricians Theory coursework and written exam
  • Pass the Electricians Regulations coursework and written exam
  • Complete the Electricians stages 1, 2 and 3 practical assessments
  • Complete 4 years (8000 hours) practical training/experience in the work of an Electrician that is satisfactory to the Board.
  • 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

OR

  • Have held an Electrical Installer class of Registration for a period not less than one year and meet the first three requirements above.

Safety training

Competence Programme course

IMPORTANT: Your New Zealand work experience MUST be completed while holding an Electrician Trainee Limited Certificate.

Trainee Limited Certificate

Registration class

Electrician

Minimum amount of work experience required

4 years (8000 hours)

Required work 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.

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 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 4 years (8000 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

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.

Application checklist

Application checklist

Information on certified documents

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.

Important: If you apply and you have not completed the requirements, your application will be declined and the application fee will not be refunded.

Apply now

Apply now(external link)

Application processing times

Application processing times

Helpful guide links

Guides