What is Changing in October 2026?

From October 2026, the minimum qualifications required to carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report become formally standardised. To legally conduct an EICR, an electrician must hold all three of the following:

The three qualifications required from October 2026:

1.  Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (2365 or equivalent) - this is the core electrical trade qualification

2.  Inspection and Testing qualification (2391-52 or equivalent) - this is the specific EICR qualification

3.  Current 18th Edition certificate (BS 7671) - confirming the electrician is up to date with current wiring regulations

The most significant of the three is the 2391-52 Inspection and Testing qualification. This is a dedicated qualification specifically for electrical inspection and testing, it is not a standard part of an electrician's core training and must be completed separately. Many electricians who carry out EICRs have not completed this qualification, which is why the new requirement represents a meaningful change to the market.

The requirement to hold a current 18th Edition (BS 7671) certificate is also worth noting. BS 7671 is updated periodically and electricians must maintain a current certificate. Those working from an older edition may not be up to date with the current regulations against which an EICR is assessed.

Why Does This Change Matter?

EICRs have been a legal requirement for rental properties in England since 2020. Every private landlord must hold a valid EICR for each rental property, renewed every five years, and provide a copy to tenants and the local authority on request. The EICR must be carried out by a "qualified person" - but until now, what constitutes a qualified person has not been formally defined in statute.

The October 2026 change closes that gap. From that date, the qualification requirements are explicit and enforceable. An EICR carried out by an electrician who does not meet the new minimum requirements may not be considered valid - which has serious implications for landlords relying on those certificates for compliance.

For homeowners, the change matters because the quality of an EICR is only as good as the qualification of the person carrying it out. A thorough inspection by a properly qualified engineer identifies real issues. A cursory inspection by someone without the relevant qualification may miss problems that create genuine safety risks.

What this means practically

• Landlords should check that their current or next EICR is carried out by an electrician holding all three qualifications - particularly the 2391-52

• Homeowners commissioning an EICR before a property purchase should ask specifically about qualifications before booking

• Businesses with five-yearly commercial EICR obligations should verify their electrical contractor meets the new standard

• Any EICR carried out after October 2026 by an unqualified electrician may not be recognised as valid by insurers or local authorities

What a Proper EICR Actually Finds - A Recent Example from Crawley

We recently carried out an EICR on a commercial premises in Crawley. The inspection identified multiple unsatisfactory findings - exposed wiring, unsafe connections and electrical work that had been modified without proper certification at various points over the years.

None of these issues were visible without a thorough, systematic inspection. The property looked fine from the outside. The lights worked. The sockets functioned. But behind the surface, the installation had serious deficiencies that created a genuine safety risk for the occupants.

This is exactly the kind of inspection the new qualification requirements are designed to protect. A properly qualified engineer with the 2391-52 Inspection and Testing qualification carries out a systematic assessment using calibrated test equipment - not a visual check. The difference between a thorough EICR and a cursory one is significant, and the new minimum standards are designed to ensure a minimum level of competence across the industry.

How to Check if Your Electrician is Qualified to Carry Out an EICR

The simplest way to verify an electrician's qualifications before October 2026 and the only reliable way after is to check their registration with an accredited body such as NAPIT. NAPIT-registered electricians have their qualifications and scope of work verified and published on the NAPIT public register, which anyone can search.

When looking up an electrician on the NAPIT register, check for:

• Domestic electrical inspection - confirms qualification to carry out domestic EICRs

• Non-domestic electrical inspection - confirms qualification for commercial EICRs

• Current registration status - expired or lapsed registration means qualifications are not being maintained

You can also ask the electrician directly which qualifications they hold and request to see evidence. A qualified, confident electrician will have no hesitation in confirming their 2391-52 and current 18th Edition certification.

What to avoid

• Electricians who cannot confirm which qualifications they hold

• Certificates issued by unregistered or unverified inspectors

• Very low-cost EICRs that suggest a cursory rather than thorough inspection

• Any EICR offered by a general handyman or tradesperson without specific electrical qualifications

MS Electrical Solutions - Already Meeting the October 2026 Standard

MS Electrical Solutions already meets all three qualification requirements coming into force in October 2026. Mark Summerton holds:

• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation

• 2391-52 Inspection and Testing qualification - the specific EICR qualification

• Current 18th Edition (BS 7671) certification

MS Electrical Solutions is NAPIT accredited and registered for both domestic and non-domestic electrical inspection. You can verify this directly on the NAPIT public register at napit.org.uk- search for MS Electrical Solutions.

We carry out EICR inspections for homeowners, landlords and businesses across Surrey and West Sussex - including Horley, Crawley, Reigate, Redhill, Earlswood, Banstead, Epsom and surrounding areas. All inspections result in a formal written report with clear findings, and where remedial work is required we carry it out ourselves and re-certify.

Call 07508 224603 or contact us online to book an EICR in Surrey. We will always confirm our qualifications upfront.