The EICR Qualification Change Is Now In Force - What Actually Happens Next

The new EICR qualification requirements came into force today. If you've had an EICR carried out any time before now, here's exactly where you stand - and what's actually changed for anyone booking one from today onwards.

Does this affect an EICR I already have?

No. Your existing EICR remains fully valid. The new qualification requirement applies to who can carry out an inspection from today onwards - it doesn't retroactively invalidate anything completed under the previous rules. If your certificate was issued before 1 October 2026, nothing about its validity has changed. It still runs to its original expiry date, exactly as before.

So what's actually changed today?

From today, anyone carrying out a new EICR must hold the full set of required qualifications - including the 2391-52 Inspection and Testing certification specifically. Not every electrician currently offering EICRs meets this standard. If you're booking an inspection now, it's worth confirming your electrician actually holds it, since a report from someone who doesn't may not be considered valid going forward.

MS Electrical Solutions already meets all three required qualifications - this was in place well before today, not something rushed through at the deadline.

What if my EICR is due for renewal soon?

Nothing changes about your renewal timeline - still every five years, or before a new tenancy for rental properties. The only difference is that whoever carries out your next inspection needs to meet the standard that's now in force. Worth checking that before you book, rather than after the report's already been issued.

The wider picture

This sits alongside BS 7671 Amendment 4, the updated wiring regulations edition that also took effect this month. For most homeowners, Amendment 4 changes very little day to day - it mainly affects new solar, battery storage and certain commercial installations. Existing work isn't retroactively affected there either.

If you want the full detail on how the qualification change came about, our original guide covers it in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my existing EICR still valid now the rules have changed?
Yes. The new requirement applies to inspections carried out from 1 October 2026 onwards. It has no retroactive effect on certificates already issued.

Does MS Electrical Solutions meet the new qualification standard?
Yes, and has done since before the change came into force. You can verify this directly on the NAPIT public register.

Do I need to get a new EICR because of this change?
No, not because of this change specifically. Your existing certificate remains valid until its normal expiry date.