The Gold Card is the ECS card for fully qualified UK electricians. This guide covers every qualification you need, how to apply, the benefits, and how long the journey takes.
Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 2,600+ UK electricians
Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
The short answer
The ECS Gold Card (Installation or Maintenance Electrician) requires a recognised Level 3 electrotechnical qualification — typically an NVQ Level 3 (such as the 2346 or 5357) plus the AM2, or the equivalent apprenticeship — together with the current 18th Edition (C&G 2382) and a pass in the ECS Health, Safety & Environmental Assessment. Once you hold these, you apply through the ECS with proof of qualifications.
2,600+
UK electricians
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
01 · Career Guide
The ECS Gold Card is the card for fully qualified electricians in the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme. It shows that you are a fully qualified electrician: you hold a Level 3 qualification, have passed the AM2 practical assessment and hold a current BS 7671 qualification.
In JIB grading terms, the standard gold Installation Electrician card matches the Electrician grade. Adding inspection and testing (the 2391) takes you to Approved Electrician, and further qualifications and experience lead to Technician.
JIB National Standard hourly rates, effective Monday 5 January 2026. These are minimums — many electricians earn above them.
| JIB grade | Transport provided | Own transport | London Zone (TP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | £22.70 | £23.87 | £25.47 |
| Approved Electrician | £20.08 | £21.19 | £22.48 |
| Electrician (incl. domestic) | £18.38 | £19.54 | £20.58 |
The gold card gets you to the Electrician grade. The step to Approved Electrician, which needs the 2391, is £1.70 an hour; the step from Electrician to Technician is £4.32 an hour, about £162 a week on a 37.5-hour week.
Free download · PDF
Every key change in the 2026 amendment on one page. AFDDs, TN-C-S protection, new schedule columns, model forms. Pinned on your van dash.
02 · Career Guide
Four things, all of which must be current when you apply:
| Requirement | What it proves |
|---|---|
| NVQ Level 3 | Electrotechnical installation — or an approved equivalent, such as the apprenticeship standard (with the AM2S) or an experienced worker route. |
| C&G 2382 | The Wiring Regulations exam. It must cover the edition that is current when you apply — BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. |
| AM2 | Practical assessment of installation, safe isolation, testing and fault finding. |
| ECS Health, Safety and Environmental | The assessment required for every ECS card type, whatever the grade. |
The 2391 is assessed against BS 7671 Part 6, Inspection and Testing — Chapter 64 covers initial verification. Regulation 643.1 sets the order: the tests of Regulations 643.2 to 643.6 are carried out in that order before the installation is energised, and the remainder once it is live.
| Reg | Test | What you have to show |
|---|---|---|
| 643.2 | Continuity of conductors | Protective and bonding conductors, plus live conductors on ring final circuits. |
| 643.3 | Insulation resistance | Live conductors to earth and between live conductors. A2:2022 added a second stage at 643.3.3 — a 250 V DC test after equipment is connected, minimum 1 MΩ. |
| 643.4 | SELV, PELV or electrical separation | Separation of circuits confirmed by insulation resistance measurement to Table 64. |
| 643.5 | Resistance of floors and walls | Only where Regulation 418.1, non-conducting location, is relied on — at least three measurements per relevant surface. |
| 643.6 | Polarity | Correct connections throughout. |
| 643.7 | Automatic disconnection of supply | Earth fault loop impedance measured and compared with Chapter 41; prospective fault current determined under 643.7.3.201. |
| 643.8 | Additional protection | RCD effectiveness verified with equipment to BS EN 61557-6. The note is explicit: regardless of RCD type, an alternating current test at rated residual operating current (IΔn), with a general non-delay type disconnecting in 300 ms maximum. |
| 643.9 | Check of phase sequence | Phase sequence maintained at all relevant points on polyphase circuits. |
| 643.10 | Functional testing | Switchgear and controlgear, drives, controls and interlocks, emergency switching off and stopping, insulation monitoring — plus the RCD test facility and, where an AFDD is fitted, its manual test facility. |
| 643.11 | Verification of voltage drop | Evaluated by measurement or calculation where needed to show compliance with Chapter 52. The note says it is not normally required at initial verification. |
Amendment 2 (2022) deleted Table 3A, so the old half-rated-current and five-times-rated-current RCD sequence is no longer an installation requirement in BS 7671. The 40 ms at 5× figure people still quote comes from the BS EN 61008 and 61009 product standards, not from Chapter 64. If your course notes predate A4, check this one before the exam.
03 · Career Guide
The AM2 is the practical assessment that proves you can carry out electrical installation work to a competent standard. It is a hands-on test that takes place at a NET (National Electrotechnical Training) centre over one to two days.
The assessment covers consumer unit installation, wiring circuits (ring final, radial, lighting), safe isolation, testing, and fault finding. You must demonstrate competence in all areas to pass. It is a one-off assessment: once passed, it stays valid for future card renewals.
For detailed preparation advice, see the AM2 exam tips guide.
04 · Career Guide
While the JIB does not specify a minimum number of years of experience for the Gold Card, the NVQ Level 3 is built on evidence from real work, so in practice it takes several years of training and site experience.
The typical path is a 3 to 4 year apprenticeship ending with the AM2 or AM2S. Many electricians then add the 2391 within a year or two to reach Approved Electrician.
05 · Career Guide
The application process is the same as for any ECS card:
In the app
19 certificate types, 70+ calculators, RAMS, quoting, invoicing, AI agents, and 46+ training courses — from £6.99/mo.
06 · Career Guide
07 · Career Guide
A few things that trip up Gold Card applicants:
08 · Career Guide
The Gold Card is achievable for any electrician who is willing to invest in their professional development. After it, the 2391 (and later a design qualification such as the 2396) are challenging but manageable alongside full-time work. The financial and career benefits make it one of the best investments you can make in your electrical career.
"Competence [for inspection and testing] is best shown by holding recognised inspection and testing qualifications and a current level 3 BS 7671 certificate."
— GN3 (10th Edition, aligned to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026), Chapter 1, Section 1.1
In the app
18th Edition Amendment 4:2026 is now live. Learn the compliance deadline, cable sizing changes, and installation updates you need to know.
Verified reviews from the UK App Store.
Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.
I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.
Real feedback from electricians and apprentices
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer
Sole Trader · DP Electrical
“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”
Nathan Perry
Electrician · NP Electrical Services
“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”
Jake Pizey
3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice
7-day free trial
Join 2,830+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for training, exam preparation, and career development. 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.
Start your free trialFrom £6.99/mo after the trial — no charge until day 8.
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Or download the app