Qualifications needed for Inspection and Testing

For many years the Inspection and Testing qualification to hold was the highly respected C&G 2391 qualification. This qualification is required in order to be a JIB approved electrician.

In 2013, C&G decided to break this qualification in two halves, namely C&G 2394 and C&G 2395. Needless to say that having two lots of exams to complete in order to gain what was previously a single qualification did not go down well within the industry. So, in 2017 C&G decided to go back on itself and bring the C&G 2391 back.

They did not do it in a simple way through. There are now four (!) different Inspection and Testing qualifications that you could go for.

These are:
- C&G 2391-50 Level 3 Award in Initial Verification of Electrical Installations.
This qualification will allow you to sign of your work (new installation work only) and as such, this is the minimum you will need in order to work as an electrician on your own.
- C&G 2391-51 Level 3 Award in Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations.
In order to be able to Inspect and Test existing electrical installations (Periodic Inspection), you will need this qualification under your belt.
- C&G 2391-52 Level 3 Award in Initial and Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations.
This combined qualification is the one to go for, as this is the one that will allow you to do both types of inspection and testing required.
- C&G 2392 Level 2 Fundamental Inspection and Testing qualification.
This qualification will teach you basic theoretical knowledge about inspection testing in general, but other than that it is worthless.

So, once again, the qualification to go for is the C&G 2391-52 Level 3 Award in Initial and Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations. This is what you need, forget about the rest.

As a holder of this qualification, you will demonstrate to your customers that you are a competent installer or tester, and are up to date with national requirements for the industry, which gives you the right to sign off the electrical certificates required by the BS 7671 and also by the Part P of the Building Regulations.

Inspection and testing always have been the hardest qualification to obtain so it is not surprising that the requirements are strict and must be met by anyone who wishes to undergo the examination process. It is not mandatory but it is usually required by the course provider that delegates should already hold the current C&G 2382-18 – BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition qualification.

Candidates are expected to have a working knowledge and understanding of electrical principles and wiring systems. They must also be conversant with current electrical installation practice. Generally speaking the inspection and testing qualifications are for electricians who have completed an apprenticeship, hold a current C&G 2382-18 BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition qualification, and have been working for a number of years gaining the experience needed to complete eider of the 2391 Inspection and Testing qualifications.