How to become an EV charger installer in the UK

Who can install EV chargers?

EV charging is an add-on for electricians. It is not a separate trade for beginners. City & Guilds describes its 2921-34 award as a short supplementary course for competent electricians who already meet the entry requirements set out in the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification. Its launch material says plainly that these qualifications are not for beginners and that only qualified, practising electricians should take them.

So the real route runs through a full electrical qualification first: an apprenticeship or adult route to a Level 3 NVQ, the AM2, then experience on the tools. Once you can design and install radial power circuits with confidence, the EV award adds the charger side: earthing choices, protection, load, smart functions and handover.

The City & Guilds 2921 and EAL qualifications

City & Guilds runs the 2921 suite. The 2921-34 Level 3 Award covers design and installation of domestic and small commercial charge points, has 15 guided learning hours and is assessed by an online multiple-choice test. For bigger sites there are 2921-32, which covers design and quality assurance of largescale installations, and 2921-33, which covers installation and maintenance of largescale installations.

EAL offers the Level 3 Award in the Requirements for the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points (603/3929/9). It also offers a Level 3 Technical Specialist award in installing EV charging equipment, approved for Free Courses for Jobs funding in England from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2028. LCL Awards and SQA run versions too. The IET's EAS qualifications guide lists all of these.

BS 7671, the IET code and the law

Section 722 of BS 7671 covers EV charging installations. The IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, 5th Edition, sits alongside it. The IET calls it government-recommended, and it is aligned with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 and ENA Engineering Recommendation G12/4. EV courses expect you to bring both books to the exam.

The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 apply in Great Britain to private charge points rated at up to 50 kW and installed after 30 June 2022. Those units need smart functions, default off-peak charging times, cyber security and minimum safety provisions. In England, Part S of the Building Regulations requires new homes and some other buildings to have charge points of at least Mode 3 and 7 kW.

Grants and typical work

To claim OZEV chargepoint grants you must be an OZEV authorised installer. You apply through an online form, and OZEV sends a letter once you are authorised. Five grant schemes run until 31 March 2027, covering renters and flat owners, households with on-street parking, residential landlords and two workplace schemes. You can only fit eligible models, and you cannot charge the customer the grant before the claim. The staff and fleets grant, the commercial landlord grant and the landlord infrastructure grant are closing in 2026.

The daily work is mostly home wallbox installs: survey, supply check, earthing arrangement, cable run, testing and DNO notification. Commercial work means car parks, workplaces and depots. The largescale qualifications cover rapid charging sites, which bring heavier supplies and more design work.

Pay

United Kingdom (25th to 75th percentile)

£33,100–51,300

London

£36,200–56,100

South East

£34,600–53,600

Scotland

£34,600–53,600

North West

£32,000–49,600

Wales

£31,000–48,100

JIB Electrician to Approved Electrician (37.5 hr week)

£35,841–39,156

GBP a year, before tax. Ranges are modelled from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, April 2026 (provisional), adjusted to 2026 with a wage index. Regional figures are estimates. The JIB row comes from the official JIB National Standard Rates from 5 January 2026 (£18.38 and £20.08 an hour), annualised at 37.5 hours over 52 weeks. Overtime, self-employment and commercial rapid-charger work all push pay up. Refer to the Renewables & Solar salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

Qualified electrician statusEV awards are short courses for electricians who already meet the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification entry requirements. Training providers check your certificates before you can book.
Level 3 EV charging awardFor example City & Guilds 2921-34, the EAL Level 3 Award (603/3929/9) or the EAL Technical Specialist award. The 2921-32 and 2921-33 awards are for largescale sites.
BS 7671 Section 722This is the wiring regulations section for EV charging installations. Expect to bring a copy of BS 7671 to the assessment.
IET Code of Practice, 5th EditionThis is the government-recommended guide to EV charging equipment installation. It covers planning, earthing, fire safety and DNO notification.
OZEV authorisation for grant workOnly OZEV authorised installers can claim the chargepoint grants. You apply online and OZEV confirms by letter.

Across the UK

England	Part S of the Building Regulations, in force from 15 June 2022, requires charge points at certain new homes and buildings. They must be at least Mode 3 and 7 kW and installed to BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice.
Great Britain	The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 cover private charge points rated at up to 50 kW and installed after 30 June 2022. The units must have smart functions and default off-peak charging times.
Wales	City & Guilds offers the 2921 awards in Wales and tells learners to look on the Qualifications in Wales website for funding.

How to get there

FirstTrain as an electricianComplete an apprenticeship or an adult route to a Level 3 electrical qualification.
After qualifyingPass the AM2 and get experienceBuild confidence in designing and installing radial power circuits, inspection and testing.
Once competentTake a Level 3 EV awardCity & Guilds 2921-34 or an EAL equivalent. These are short courses assessed by an online multiple-choice test.
OptionalApply for OZEV authorisationNeeded only if you want to claim chargepoint grants for customers.
LaterMove into largescale workCity & Guilds 2921-32 and 2921-33 cover design, installation and maintenance of largescale charging sites.

Questions people ask

Can I install EV chargers without being an electrician?

The recognised EV awards are built for qualified, practising electricians. City & Guilds says its 2921 qualifications are not for beginners, and providers ask for proof of electrical qualifications before you book.

How long does the EV charger course take?

The City & Guilds 2921-34 has 15 guided learning hours and 19 hours total qualification time. NICEIC runs its EAL-assessed Level 3 Award as a one-day classroom course.

How much does the EV course cost?

NAPIT lists its EAL Level 3 EV charging course from £260 plus VAT. City & Guilds charges its qualification fee to the training centre, so the course price you pay will be higher than the exam fee.

Do I need to be OZEV authorised?

Only if you want to claim government chargepoint grants for customers. You apply online, OZEV confirms by letter, and you must fit only eligible models and keep claim evidence such as photos and serial numbers.

Are EV charger grants still available?

Yes. Five OZEV schemes run until 31 March 2027, covering renters and flat owners, on-street parking households, residential landlords and workplaces. The staff and fleets and commercial landlord grants are closing in 2026.

How do you become an EV charger installer in the UK?