Being pushed out of NICEIC after 15 years if I don't take 2391 exam.

SparkyArmadillo · Tuesday at 4:53 PM

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of the any of the governing bodies trying to insist on further training or face removal. I've been an approved contractor with the NICEIC for 15 years running my own business. Each year I am assessed for installation work and EICRs for both domestic and commercial sector.

I do not hold my 2391 but always operated within the guidelines, and undertook EICRs as a "Competent person". Year on year the NICEIC has assessed our ability to perform EICR, as well as installation work. Jan this year, several months after our last annual assessment, I have been notified that if I do not hold the 2391 I will be removed from the private rented scheme, and furthermore I must have my 2391 by my next assessment to continue on the NICEC scheme as an approved contractor. (Only 3 years ago, I was approached by the NICEIC to apply to be one of their assessors!).

Has anyone experienced this with NICEIC? My biggest issues with this, is if the NICEIC can start asking for an extra qualification at any point what to stop them asking for another qualification next month?

Much of our work, comes from undertaking EICR reports for estate agents, so if they remove us from the scheme the effect will be hugely devestating to the business.

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

HappyHippyDad · Tuesday at 5:26 PM

SparkyArmadillo said:
Hello,

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of the any of the governing bodies trying to insist on further training or face removal. I've been an approved contractor with the NICEIC for 15 years running my own business. Each year I am assessed for installation work and EICRs for both domestic and commercial sector.

I do not hold my 2391 but always operated within the guidelines, and undertook EICRs as a "Competent person". Year on year the NICEIC has assessed our ability to perform EICR, as well as installation work. Jan this year, several months after our last annual assessment, I have been notified that if I do not hold the 2391 I will be removed from the private rented scheme, and furthermore I must have my 2391 by my next assessment to continue on the NICEC scheme as an approved contractor. (Only 3 years ago, I was approached by the NICEIC to apply to be one of their assessors!).

Has anyone experienced this with NICEIC? My biggest issues with this, is if the NICEIC can start asking for an extra qualification at any point what to stop them asking for another qualification next month?

Much of our work, comes from undertaking EICR reports for estate agents, so if they remove us from the scheme the effect will be hugely devestating to the business.

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

Wow.. That's new!

I expect this will affect many people.

However, I would turn their attention to page 25 of the EAS minimum requirements, which (in it's confusing way) appears to say if you have been a QS within the last 2 years, this is acceptable. I'm sure they can twist and turn the words around to mean what they like though.

Alternatively, move to Napit, again quoting the above when you register with them.

PS... Are you actually focusing on EICR's here? Are you saying they will not let you carry out any notifiable work, or just not do EICR's? The reason I ask is that I've just realised the 2391 is the inspection and testing exam as opposed to the 2365.

SparkyArmadillo · Tuesday at 6:03 PM

HappyHippyDad said:
Wow.. That's new!

I expect this will affect many people.

However, I would turn their attention to page 25 of the EAS minimum requirements, which (in it's confusing way) appears to say if you have been a QS within the last 2 years, this is acceptable. I'm sure they can twist and turn the words around to mean what they like though.

Alternatively, move to Napit, again quoting the above when you register with them.

PS... Are you actually focusing on EICR's here? Are you saying they will not let you carry out any notifiable work, or just not do EICR's? The reason I ask is that I've just realised the 2391 is the inspection and testing exam as opposed to the 2365.

Hi,

I read the EAS earlier and I believe the section you referred too (at least as I interpretted it) is talking about new appliants for QS can be accepted if the have held a similiar role within the last 2 years but they will till require a mandatory qualification according to table 4.11 (which is the 2391 testing and inspection).

Back in November 2024 - the NICEIC told me that the new rules would not be retrospective. However since Jan 2025 the NICEIC has they changed their mind, and their view is the 2391 is compulsory.

If I don't do the 2391, I will no longer be able to do EICR for private rented properties under the PRS scheme - that will be effective immediately. I can still notify install work, but if I haven't got the 2391 by the time I sit my next assessment I would be removed from the NICEIC altogether.

I can't fathom why I have been assessed as an Approved contractor, and passed year on year only to be told I haven't met their requirements.

UNG · Tuesday at 6:20 PM

SparkyArmadillo said:
Hi,

I read the EAS earlier and I believe the section you referred too (at least as I interpretted it) is talking about new appliants for QS can be accepted if the have held a similiar role within the last 2 years but they will till require a mandatory qualification according to table 4.11 (which is the 2391 testing and inspection).

Back in November 2024 - the NICEIC told me that the new rules would not be retrospective. However since Jan 2025 the NICEIC has they changed their mind, and their view is the 2391 is compulsory.

If I don't do the 2391, I will no longer be able to do EICR for private rented properties under the PRS scheme - that will be effective immediately. I can still notify install work, but if I haven't got the 2391 by the time I sit my next assessment I would be removed from the NICEIC altogether.

I can't fathom why I have been assessed as an Approved contractor, and passed year on year only to be told I haven't met their requirements.

I'm sure the EAS document required a CPD schedule be implemented to bring those who did not meet the new requirements a grace period to obtain the required training / exam certs to meet the updated requirements

It may be that the accreditation body UKAS has audited Certsure for their ongoing accreditation and this qualification requirement change has come about because of that

mainline · Tuesday at 6:31 PM

SparkyArmadillo said:
Hello,

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of the any of the governing bodies trying to insist on further training or face removal. I've been an approved contractor with the NICEIC for 15 years running my own business. Each year I am assessed for installation work and EICRs for both domestic and commercial sector.

I do not hold my 2391 but always operated within the guidelines, and undertook EICRs as a "Competent person". Year on year the NICEIC has assessed our ability to perform EICR, as well as installation work. Jan this year, several months after our last annual assessment, I have been notified that if I do not hold the 2391 I will be removed from the private rented scheme, and furthermore I must have my 2391 by my next assessment to continue on the NICEC scheme as an approved contractor. (Only 3 years ago, I was approached by the NICEIC to apply to be one of their assessors!).

Has anyone experienced this with NICEIC? My biggest issues with this, is if the NICEIC can start asking for an extra qualification at any point what to stop them asking for another qualification next month?

Much of our work, comes from undertaking EICR reports for estate agents, so if they remove us from the scheme the effect will be hugely devestating to the business.

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

My guess is you will end up having to do the course, I've no doubt that Napit will be the same as the schemes have started to clean up a bit in the last few years.

Probably due to the amount of complaints they get regarding Eicrs in general.