Electrical Certificate of Compliance NZ: Complete Guide for Electricians (2026)
Every licensed electrician in New Zealand knows about Certificates of Compliance — but doing them wrong can mean fines, disciplinary action, and serious liability. This guide covers everything you need to know in 2026.
Quick Answer
A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is a legal document confirming that electrical work meets the requirements of the Electricity Act 1992 and AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules. Most electrical installation work in NZ requires one, and it must be issued within 20 working days of completing the work.
What Is a Certificate of Compliance?
A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is a legal declaration that electrical work has been carried out in accordance with:
- The Electricity Act 1992
- The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules
The person who certifies the work (the certifier) is legally responsible for confirming that the installation is safe and compliant. This is a significant responsibility — get it wrong and you're personally liable.
Who Can Issue a Certificate of Compliance?
Only a licensed certifier registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) can issue a CoC. The three classes that can certify are:
- Registered Electrician (with certifying endorsement) — can certify their own work on low-voltage installations
- Electrical Inspector — can inspect and certify others' work
- Electrical Engineer — for complex installations
Importantly, you can only certify work you're authorised to carry out. A registered electrician can't certify high-voltage work they're not licensed for, regardless of whether they did it well.
When Is a CoC Required?
A CoC is required whenever you carry out "prescribed electrical work." Under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, this includes:
| Work Type | CoC Required? |
|---|---|
| New installation or alteration to existing wiring | Yes |
| Adding circuits or sub-boards | Yes |
| Replacing switchboard or main fuse | Yes |
| Installing fixed appliances (heat pumps, HWC, ranges) | Yes |
| Replacing a like-for-like socket or switch (same circuit) | No (Safe situation) |
| Replacing a light fitting (like-for-like) | No (Safe situation) |
| Fault finding only (no prescribed work done) | No |
Types of Certificates
1. Certificate of Compliance (Standard)
The most common type. Issued when you complete prescribed electrical work on a low-voltage installation. You inspect and test the work yourself (or have an inspector do it), then issue the certificate.
2. Inspection and Test Certificate
Issued by an Electrical Inspector who has inspected and tested the work carried out by another electrician. Required when the certifying electrician is not the one who did the work, or for complex installations requiring independent sign-off.
3. Safe Situation Certificate
Used for legacy installations that don't fully comply with current wiring rules but are considered safe. Commonly used for older homes where bringing everything up to full AS/NZS 3000 compliance would be impractical.
Step-by-Step: Completing a CoC Correctly
Complete the electrical work
Carry out and supervise the prescribed electrical work.
Inspect and test
Visually inspect all wiring and test circuits per AS/NZS 3017. Record test results (insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity, RCD trip times).
Complete the CoC form
Fill in the EWRB-approved form with: installation address, scope of work, date completed, test results, your licence number, and your signature.
Give a copy to the owner
The property owner must receive a copy. For rental properties, both landlord and tenant should ideally have access.
Retain your copy
Keep records for at least 10 years. You'll need these if there's ever a dispute, insurance claim, or WorkSafe investigation.
Register with the lines company
For new connections or major alterations, notify the lines company (Vector, Powerco, etc.) before energising.
The 20 Working Day Rule
Under Regulation 64 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, you must issue the CoC within 20 working days of completing the work. This is a hard deadline — missing it is a breach of the regulations and can result in:
- Formal complaints to the EWRB
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Fines of up to $10,000 for individuals
In practice, issue the CoC as soon as the job is complete and tested. Don't let paperwork pile up.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Incomplete test results
Always record all required test values: insulation resistance (500V DC), earth continuity, polarity, loop impedance, and RCD trip times where applicable. Blank fields are red flags during audits.
Wrong scope description
Be specific. "General electrical work" won't cut it. Describe exactly what was installed or altered: "Install 3 x double GPOs and 1 x lighting circuit to new ensuite, including RCD protection."
Certifying work you didn't supervise
You can only certify prescribed electrical work you carried out or directly supervised. If an apprentice did the work unsupervised, you cannot lawfully certify it.
Not keeping copies
Keep signed copies for at least 10 years — ideally digitally. Paper copies get lost in floods, fires, and office moves.
Forgetting the 20-day deadline
Issue the CoC the same day you complete and test the work. Use job management software that prompts you when CoCs are outstanding.
Digital vs Paper CoCs
The EWRB accepts digital CoCs provided they meet the same requirements as paper versions. The key requirements are:
- Must contain all required information per the regulations
- Must be signed (electronic signatures are accepted)
- The owner must receive a legible copy
Digital CoCs are faster to issue, easier to store, and much easier to retrieve when you need them years later. If you're still handwriting CoCs, you're making more work for yourself.
CoCs and Insurance Claims
If an electrical fault causes a fire, flood, or injury, your CoC is the first document insurers and investigators will ask for. A missing or incomplete CoC doesn't just mean a compliance breach — it can void your insurance, expose you to personal liability, and result in criminal prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
This is why record-keeping isn't optional. It's self-protection.
What Happens if You Get It Wrong?
The EWRB has the power to:
- Issue a formal warning
- Impose conditions on your licence
- Suspend or cancel your registration
- Refer serious matters to the Electricity Commissioner or courts
Penalties under the Electricity Act 1992 for individuals can reach $10,000 per offence. For companies, up to $30,000.
The Bottom Line
Certificates of Compliance aren't paperwork for the sake of paperwork — they're your legal protection and your customer's proof that their installation is safe. Treat them seriously:
- Issue every CoC within 20 working days (ideally same day)
- Record all test results properly
- Keep copies for at least 10 years
- Only certify work you carried out or directly supervised
Track CoCs Automatically with TPT Electrician
TPT Electrician is job management software built specifically for NZ electricians. Generate Certificates of Compliance directly from completed jobs, get reminders before the 20-day deadline, and store every CoC digitally — searchable by job, address, or date.