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Competent Person Schemes
Competent person schemes (CPS) were introduced by the Government to allow individuals and businesses to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations, as an alternative to notification to the local authority or using an approved inspector.
The principles of the self-certification process are built upon allowing experienced/competent persons operating in their field to certify themselves that their work complies with the building regulations. The Communities and Local Government website has produced a detailed guide to help you to identify the work carried out by a competent person scheme installer.
Click here for more information about competent person schemes related to building services engineering:
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Heat-producing gas appliances (combustion appliances oil or solid fuel)
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Electrical safety in dwellings
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Plumbing, heating systems and hot water service systems (non dwellings)
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Heating systems and hote water service systems (dwellings)
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Ventilation and air conditioning (non-dwellings)
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Ventilation and air conditioning (dwellings)
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Ventilation and air conditioning (commercial kitchens)
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Lighting systems, electric heating systems and associated controls
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Sanitary conveniences, washing facilities or bathrooms in a dwelling
Competent person schemes reduce the need to notify and incur costs from the local authority in the act of inspecting works carried out, and assist local authorities with the enforcement of the building regulations, which has already resulted in a number of prosecutions and fines (£16,000 in one case alone).
Becoming a member of a CPS
The Building Regulations Competent Person Schemes have set minimum technical competence requirements for each type of work where scheme membership is available. You will need to be able to demonstrate that your skills meet these minimum requirements.
The requirements are published in the Minimum Competence Requirements for Work Undertaken through Competence Person Schemes Approved Under Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations (England and Wales).
Green Deal and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a quality assurance mark for low carbon technology installers and products. It is linked to financial incentives available from the Government under its Green Deal initiative to increase the energy efficiency of UK homes and encourage consumers, businesses and communities to change they way they use and generate energy.
The MCS has set minimum competence requirements for installers who want to become MCS certified. You can find these in the MCS Microgeneration Installer Standards.
Where there is a technology or a type of work that is common to both competent person schemes and the MCS, the competence requirements are the same for both.
If you are considering training with the aim of joining a competent person scheme or becoming MCS certified, click here to find details of training courses whose content has been assessed and confirmed as enabling installers to meet the minimum competence requirements for either or both of these schemes.
Please note:
1. It is not a mandatory requirement to complete any training or achieve a qualification/course certificate in order to be able to demonstrate the competence required for competent person scheme membership or MCS installer certification. However, completing relevant training and achieving a qualification/course certificate is often the preferred route to demonstrating competence.
2. Completion of any training or achievement of a qualification/course certificate listed on this website does not guarantee you membership of a Building Regulations Competent Person Scheme or MCS installer certification. Both schemes have management and quality control requirements and will need a satisfactory completed installation assessment before membership or certification can be given.
For more information
The Communities and Local Governmentment website has compiled a list of current existing competent person schemes - for more information visit the link below:
