How do I check an electrician is SELECT or NICEIC registered?
The short answer
Search the firm by name or postcode on the SELECT "Find a member" page or the NICEIC contractor search, then check that the company name, address and type of work match the person quoting you. If the firm is not listed, call the scheme to confirm before any work starts. A logo on a website or van is not proof on its own.
Key points
- SELECT is the trade association for electrical contractors in Scotland; NICEIC and NAPIT run UK-wide registers.
- Both SELECT and NICEIC let you search by postcode or company name for free.
- Check the exact company name and the type of work the firm is registered for.
- Scottish Government guidance for landlords names SELECT, NICEIC and NAPIT members as competent to inspect rented homes.
Why registration matters in Scotland
Anyone can call themselves an electrician. Membership of a recognised scheme means the business has been assessed on its work, its qualifications and its insurance, and that it is inspected regularly. If something goes wrong, the scheme usually has a complaints process and, in many cases, a guarantee that covers work if the firm stops trading.
In Scotland the main schemes are SELECT, the trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland, and NICEIC, which operates across the UK. NAPIT is a third option. Scottish Government guidance for private landlords names members of all three as competent to carry out electrical safety inspections in rented homes.
How to check SELECT membership
- Go to the SELECT website and open Find a member.
- Search by postcode, with a distance of 5 to 20 miles, or by company name.
- Use the Type of work filter if you need something specific. The options include periodic inspection and testing, fire alarm systems in dwellings, solar PV and electric vehicle charger installation.
- Check the company name and address in the result match the business on your quote.
When we built our table of the best electricians in Glasgow, SELECT membership was one of the three checks we made on every firm.
How to check NICEIC registration
- Go to the NICEIC website and use the find a contractor search.
- Enter your postcode or the business name.
- Look at the registration type. An Approved Contractor is assessed across a wider range of work than a Domestic Installer, which is fine for most home jobs.
- Make sure the trading name matches. Some firms trade under a different name from their registered company, so ask if they differ.
What to check on the day
- The person, not just the firm. Registration covers the business. Ask who will do the work and whether they are employed by the registered firm or subcontracted.
- The certificate. At the end of the job you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate, issued under the firm's registration.
- Insurance. Ask for proof of public liability insurance. Our tables flag firms where we could not verify it.
- Individual cards. Many electricians in Scotland also carry a grading card from the Scottish Joint Industry Board showing their qualification level. It is worth asking to see it.
Red flags
- A scheme logo on the website but no listing when you search. Some firms leave logos up after membership lapses.
- A company name that is close to, but not the same as, the listed member.
- Reluctance to give a written quote, a landline or a business address.
- A request for full payment in cash before work starts.
- An offer to "sign off" work done by someone else. A registered electrician should only certify work they have inspected and tested.
If you are hiring for a bigger job, read our guide to what a full rewire costs in Glasgow so you know what a fair quote looks like.
Questions
Is SELECT better than NICEIC?
Neither is better for a normal home job. SELECT is focused on Scotland and NICEIC covers the whole UK. What matters is that the firm is registered, is registered for the type of work you need, and has good reviews.
Do electricians in Scotland have to be registered?
There is no law that says every electrician must belong to a scheme. Landlords, however, must use a competent person for safety inspections, and Scottish Government guidance names SELECT, NICEIC and NAPIT members as meeting that standard.
What if my electrician is not on either register?
Ask which scheme they belong to and check it. If they belong to none, ask for evidence of qualifications and insurance, and think carefully about whether their work can be certified.
Can I check an electrician by phone?
Yes. Both SELECT and NICEIC have office numbers listed on their websites and can confirm whether a business is currently a member.
Sources
- SELECT: find a member (opens in a new tab)
- NICEIC (opens in a new tab)
- Scottish Government: electrical installations and appliances in private rented property (opens in a new tab)
This guide is general information about Glasgow and Scotland, checked on 3 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so confirm anything important with the organisation named before you act.
