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Part P: electrical work in homes

For electricians and anyone doing electrical work in dwellings.

The short version

Electrical work in homes must be designed and installed to protect people from shock and fire.
Some work must be notified to building control, or self-certified through a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT.
The customer should receive the right certificate for every job.
Which work is notifiable is not the same in England and Wales.

England and Wales

EnglandEngland reduced the list of notifiable electrical work in 2013. To be confirmed

WalesWales kept a wider list, so some work that isn't notifiable in England may be in Wales. To be confirmed

What to keep on record

Electrical installation certificate or minor works certificate
Building control or competent person scheme notification
Test results

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Official sources

Approved Document P: electrical safety, England (GOV.UK). Link checked 1 October 2026.

See all official documents for England and Wales.

Last reviewed: To be confirmed
This guide is general information in plain English, not advice for a specific job. Always check the official documents and any scheme requirements that apply to your work. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and can change.