What does an electrician need in South Africa?
Under the Electrical Installation Regulations of 2009, every user or lessor of an electrical installation must hold a valid certificate of compliance with a test report, and a registered person issues it. The regulations also cover additions and a change of ownership. Each point links to the gazetted text.
By Horn Dev. Background, not legal advice. Last checked 24 Oct 2026. How we check our pages.
What applies, and where it comes from.
Every point quotes its source and shows when we last checked it. If a source has changed, the source wins, and we want to know.
Who can issue a certificate
A certificate is issued by a registered person: someone registered as an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician. The certificate carries a unique number from the chief inspector.
The source says: The regulations define a certificate of compliance as a certificate with a unique number obtainable from the chief inspector (or a person the chief inspector appoints) and issued by a registered person, and define a registered person as one registered as an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician.
Source: Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, regulation 1 · checked 24 Oct 2026
The certificate itself
Regulation 7(1) requires the user or lessor to hold a valid certificate of compliance for the installation, accompanied by a test report.
The source says: Regulation 7(1) of the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009 requires every user or lessor of an electrical installation to have a valid certificate of compliance, accompanied by a test report, for that installation.
Source: Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009 (Government Notice R. 242, Government Gazette 31975, 6 March 2009) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Additions and alterations
Where an installation already has a certificate and something is added or altered, a certificate is required for at least the addition or alteration.
The source says: Regulation 7(4) requires that where an addition or alteration is made to an electrical installation for which a certificate of compliance was previously issued, a certificate is obtained for at least the addition or alteration.
Source: Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, regulation 7(4) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Selling a property
The user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate is older than two years, subject to the Act. This is why sellers and agents ask for a fresh certificate.
The source says: Regulation 7(5) provides that, subject to section 10(4) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate of compliance is older than two years.
Source: Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, regulation 7(5) · checked 24 Oct 2026
What to put in front of customers.
- Your registration category and number, only if you hold them
- A plain explanation of when a certificate is needed
- What you supply with a certificate, such as the test report
- The work you do: fault finding, new installations, additions, solar or backup power
Check with
- The Department of Employment and Labour, for the current regulations and registration
- The gazetted text we quote
Asked most often.
Who can sign an electrical certificate of compliance?
The regulations define a registered person as someone registered as an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician. Commentary on who may sign off solar work varies, so confirm the current rule with the Department.
Do I need a new certificate when I add a circuit?
The regulations require a certificate for at least the addition or alteration where the installation already has one. Check the current text before you quote.
How old can a certificate be when a house is sold?
Regulation 7(5) says the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate is older than two years, subject to section 10(4) of the Act. These are the 2009 regulations as gazetted, so check for amendments.
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