EIC vs EICR: Which Electrical Certificate Do You Need?

The EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) and the EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) are both defined in BS 7671:2018, the IET Wiring Regulations. They look similar, they both involve testing, and they both get filed away in a drawer. But they serve completely different purposes, and using the wrong one is a compliance problem.

This guide explains what each document is, when it is required, and how to decide which one you need. It is written for electricians who want a quick reference and for landlords and homeowners who need a straight answer.

What Is an EIC?

An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirms that new electrical work has been designed, constructed, inspected and tested in accordance with BS 7671. It is issued when the work is completed.

The EIC covers three distinct responsibilities:

• Design — confirming the installation was designed to meet the Wiring Regulations
• Construction — confirming it was built as designed
• Inspection and testing — confirming it was tested and found to comply

Each section can be signed by a different person if different people carried out the design, installation and testing. In practice, on most domestic jobs, one electrician does all three and signs all three sections.

The EIC includes a Schedule of Inspections (confirming what was visually checked) and a Schedule of Test Results (recording the measured values for insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, RCD operation times and so on).

When Is an EIC Required?

An EIC is required for all new electrical installations and for alterations or additions to existing installations that involve new circuits. Specifically:

• A complete new installation (new build, full rewire)
• An addition of one or more new circuits
• A consumer unit replacement (this creates new protective device arrangements and requires a full EIC)
• Any work that is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales

For minor works that do not involve a new circuit — adding a socket to an existing ring, replacing a light fitting, adding a fused spur — a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) is used instead. The MEIWC is a simpler document, but the testing requirements are the same.

What Is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) assesses the condition of an existing electrical installation. It does not certify new work. It reports on whether the existing installation is safe and identifies any defects, deterioration, or departures from the current edition of BS 7671.

The EICR records observations using classification codes: C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), and FI (further investigation required). The overall outcome is either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. For a detailed explanation of these codes, see the EICR inspection checklist guide.

An EICR also includes a recommended date for the next inspection, set by the inspector based on the type and condition of the installation.

When Is an EICR Required?

• Private rental properties in England — legally required before the start of a new tenancy and at least every 5 years, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
• Private rental properties in Scotland — required under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, with inspections at least every 5 years
• Change of use or occupancy — recommended when a property changes hands or changes use (e.g. residential to HMO)
• Periodic inspection — recommended at regular intervals for all properties. The IET recommends 10 years for domestic owner-occupied, 5 years for domestic rental, and 5 years (or less) for commercial
• After a suspected problem — if there are signs of electrical faults (tripping, burning smells, scorch marks), an EICR can identify the cause
• Insurance or mortgage requirements — some insurers and mortgage lenders require a current EICR

EIC vs EICR: Key Differences

Who Can Issue Each Certificate?

EIC

An EIC must be issued by a competent person. BS 7671 defines competency as having adequate education, training and practical skills for the work being certified. For notifiable work under Part P in England and Wales, the person issuing the EIC should be registered with a competent person scheme. If they are not, the work must be notified to Building Control, which will arrange its own inspection.

EICR

An EICR must be carried out by a skilled person who is competent in the inspection and testing of electrical installations. For rental properties in England, the regulations specify a "qualified and competent person." In practice, this means an electrician who holds a current inspection and testing qualification (such as the City & Guilds 2391 or 2394/2395, or the EAL equivalent) and is a member of a competent person scheme or other recognised body.

Common Scenarios

Full rewire

You need: EIC. A full rewire is new electrical work. The electrician issues an EIC on completion, covering the design, construction and testing of the entire new installation. If the work is notifiable under Part P, it must be done by a registered competent person or notified to Building Control.

Consumer unit (fuse board) replacement

You need: EIC. A consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P in England and Wales. It requires a full EIC, not a minor works certificate. The EIC covers the new consumer unit and the testing of all circuits connected to it.

New kitchen with new circuits

You need: EIC for the new electrical circuits (e.g. new cooker circuit, additional socket circuit). If the kitchen fit-out does not involve any new circuits or changes to the electrical installation, no electrical certificate is required for the kitchen work itself.

Adding sockets to an existing circuit

You need: Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). No new circuit is being created, so a full EIC is not required. The MEIWC covers the addition and the test results for the affected circuit.

Rental property periodic check

You need: EICR. This is a condition report on the existing installation. The inspector assesses the whole installation, classifies any defects, and gives an overall Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory outcome. In England, landlords are legally required to have this done at least every 5 years.

Buying a house

Recommended: EICR. There is no legal requirement for a homebuyer to get an EICR, but it is strongly recommended. A standard property survey does not include electrical testing. An EICR will identify any safety issues with the existing wiring before you move in.

After a rewire, when is the first EICR due?

The EIC issued at the end of a rewire acts as the baseline compliance document. The first EICR is then due at the interval recommended by the electrician who did the rewire. For a domestic property, this is typically 10 years. For a rental property, the legal maximum is 5 years regardless of when the rewire was done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I issue a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate instead of an EIC?

Only for minor works that do not involve a new circuit. Adding a socket to an existing circuit, replacing a light fitting, or adding a fused spur are minor works. A new circuit, a consumer unit change, or a rewire always requires a full EIC.

Does a new kitchen need an EIC or an EICR?

If the kitchen work involves new circuits (a new cooker circuit, additional ring final circuit for worktop sockets), you need an EIC for the new electrical work. If you are just replacing kitchen units and the existing wiring is untouched, no electrical certificate is needed for the kitchen fit itself, though the homeowner may want an EICR to check the condition of existing circuits.

Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords?

In England, yes. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to have an EICR carried out before the start of a new tenancy and at least every 5 years. Scotland has similar requirements under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Wales and Northern Ireland do not currently mandate EICRs by law, though they are strongly recommended.

Who can issue an EIC?

An EIC must be issued by a competent person. For notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations (England and Wales), the EIC must be issued by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or STROMA. If the electrician is not registered, the work must be notified to Building Control before it starts.

How long is an EICR valid for?

The inspector sets the recommended interval on the report, based on the type and condition of the installation. For domestic rental properties in England, the legal maximum is 5 years. For domestic owner-occupied properties, 10 years is a common recommendation. For commercial premises, 5 years is typical, though some environments (swimming pools, construction sites) may require shorter intervals.

Published March 2026. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to BS 7671:2018 (as amended), the IET Wiring Regulations, and the relevant legislation for your jurisdiction.

Published March 2026. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to the relevant standards and consult qualified professionals for definitive requirements.