What’s the Difference Between Our Domestic Electrician Routes?
If you’re considering a career in electrics, you’ve probably come across several “domestic installer” training options — each offering a slightly different pathway. It can be confusing to work out which course suits your goals, experience, and long-term ambitions.
This guide breaks down Elec Training’s domestic electrician r outes, explains what makes each one unique, and helps you decide which course fits your next step.
The Domestic Electrician Route Explained
At Elec Training, every domestic course route is built around recognised City & Guilds qualifications and real, hands-on practical training. Whether you’re new to the trade or already working in an associated field, these routes provide a solid foundation for safe and competent domestic electrical work.
Before choosing, it’s worth understanding the structure of the electrical training system and what each qualification leads to. You can learn more about how health and safety law underpins all training through Law – Lesson 5, which introduces the key legal responsibilities electricians must follow when working in residential environments.
- Domestic Electrician Course
Duration: 15 days (3 weeks, Monday–Friday)
Best for: Tradespeople or confident beginners looking to work as domestic installers.
This intensive course focuses on building essential skills and qualifications for safe domestic electrical work. You’ll earn:
- C&G 2393 – Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings
- C&G 2382 – 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
- C&G 2392 – Fundamental Inspection, Testing and Initial Verification
You’ll spend time in both the classroom and the workshop, covering theory and practical training. By the end, you’ll be able to carry out m inor works such as replacing sockets, lighting circuits, and consumer units safely and compliantly.
If your long-term goal is to sign off your own notifiable work, you can later progress to the Experience Course, Level 3 Inspection & Testing, and NVQ Level 3 (2357) qualifications.
The Reporting – Lesson 4 resource highlights the importance of documentation and accurate reporting — skills you’ll start developing on this route through testing and verification modules.
- Domestic Electrician Course +
Duration: 20 days (4 weeks, Monday–Friday)
Best for: Learners who want to carry out Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) or periodic inspections.
This route includes everything in the standard Domestic Electrician Course plus an additional week dedicated to Level 3 Inspection, Testing, and Periodic Reporting.
You’ll gain:
- C&G 2393 – Building Regulations
- C&G 2382 – 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
- EAL 603/2625/6 – Level 3 Inspection, Testing, Certification, and Reporting
By the end, you’ll be qualified to conduct EICRs, which are legally required in the private rental sector every five years.
This course emphasises hands-on practical learning, ensuring you’re confident in testing p rocedures, fault-finding, and completing inspection reports.
The Law – Lesson 6 unit covers how legal updates influence building standards and inspection responsibilities — essential context for those planning to work with landlords, letting agents, or housing associations.
- Domestic Electrician Package
Duration: 20 days (4 weeks, Monday–Friday)
Best for: Complete beginners or career changers.
The Domestic Electrician Package starts with the 15-day foundation course but adds an Experience Week — a full week dedicated to practical, real-world installation scenarios.
You’ll gain:
- C&G 2393 – Building Regulations
- C&G 2382 – 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
- C&G 2392 – Fundamental Inspection, Testing, and Initial Verification
During your Experience Week, you’ll:
- Wire mock flats from scratch (first fix to final testing).
- Replace and upgrade consumer units.
- Apply testing procedures under realistic conditions.
- Learn how to quote, estimate, and market your services.
This route is ideal if you’ve never worked in electrics before and want structured, confidence-building experience before entering the field.
The Reporting – Lesson 5 module reinforces why recording results accurately and communicating findings clearly is vital once you begin working with clients.
Choosing the Right Route
Ask yourself a few simple questions before deciding:
- Are you starting from scratch or upskilling from another trade?
- Do you want to sign off notifiable work or focus on non-notifiable domestic jobs?
- Would you like to conduct EICRs or inspections for landlords?
Here’s a quick summary:
| Course Route | Ideal For | Includes EICR Training | Hands-On Experience | Progression Path |
| Domestic Electrician Course | Confident beginners / tradespeople | No | Yes | Level 3 NVQ & Inspection Testing |
| Domestic Electrician Course + | Experienced learners / inspection work | Yes | Yes | NVQ 2357, CPS registration |
| Domestic Electrician Package | Complete beginners / career changers | No | Yes (Experience Week) | Progress to Inspection Testing |
If you’re unsure, our team can guide you based on your goals and existing experience — helping you choose the right route towards domestic or professional-level electrician work.
What About Periodic Inspections?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal report assessing the safety of a property’s wiring. It’s not a certificate, and you don’t need to be Part P registered to complete one, but you must be qualified and competent.
For electricians new to inspection work, we strongly recommend completing a Level 3 Inspection and Testing qualification before taking on any EICRs independently.
Whichever route you take, every domestic training pathway at Elec Training is designed to give you the technical knowledge, practical experience, and confidence to work safely and professionally in real homes.
To explore course dates, details, or progression options, visit https://elec.training/
and start planning your electrical career today.
FAQs
What’s the main difference between the Domestic Electrician Course, Course +, and Package?
The Domestic Electrician Course is the entry-level Level 2 Diploma (C&G 2365-02) focusing on basic installations for beginners. Course + is the advanced Level 3 Diploma (C&G 2365-03) building on Level 2 for deeper skills. The Package is an integrated pathway combining Levels 2 and 3 with NVQ Level 3 (C&G 2357), including guaranteed placements for full qualification, differing by providing complete progression from beginner to qualified status.
Which domestic electrician route is best for complete beginners?
The Domestic Electrician Course (Level 2 Diploma – C&G 2365-02) is best for complete beginners, requiring no prior experience and providing foundational hands-on skills in electrical installations for domestic work.
Do any of the courses include EICR (inspection and testing) training?
No, the core domestic courses do not include EICR training. It is available as a separate add-on course, C&G 2391-52 Inspection & Testing, which focuses on EICR for single/three-phase systems and can be integrated into progression paths.
How long does each domestic route take to complete?
The Domestic Electrician Course (Level 2) takes 1-2 years. Course + (Level 3) takes 1-2 years following Level 2. The Package (Levels 2 + 3 + NVQ) takes 2-4 years overall, with fast-track options reducing to 2-3 years via work experience.
What qualifications will I earn after finishing each course?
After the Domestic Electrician Course: City & Guilds 2365-02 Level 2 Diploma. After Course +: City & Guilds 2365-03 Level 3 Diploma. After the Package: Levels 2 and 3 Diplomas plus NVQ Level 3 C&G 2357, leading to AM2 assessment and ECS Gold Card.
Can I progress to NVQ Level 3 or Part P registration after completing a domestic course?
Yes, after the Domestic Electrician Course or Course +, you can progress to NVQ Level 3 (C&G 2357) with guaranteed work placements. For Part P registration, complete the full pathway including NVQ, 18th Edition, and Inspection & Testing, then join a Competent Person Scheme.
Is hands-on practical training included in all domestic electrician routes?
Yes, hands-on practical training is included in all routes, conducted in state-of-the-art workshops at the Wolverhampton facility, with small class sizes for personalized support.
Do I need prior electrical experience before enrolling?
No, prior electrical experience is not required; the courses are designed for beginners and career changers, with no prerequisites beyond basic Maths/English GCSEs recommended.
Will I be able to sign off notifiable work once I finish the course?
No, completing the courses alone does not allow full sign-off of notifiable work. Full qualification requires NVQ Level 3, AM2 assessment, 18th Edition certification, and registration with a Competent Person Scheme for Part P self-certification.
How can I decide which domestic electrician route best best fits my goals?
Assess your experience level (beginners start with Level 2), career goals (domestic focus vs. broader), time commitment (standalone vs. full package), and desired qualifications (basic diploma vs. full NVQ/Gold Card). The Package suits those aiming for complete qualification and self-employment, while individual courses allow modular progression. Contact Elec Training for personalized advice based on your background.
