Can You Become an Electrician if You’re Colour-Blind? 

Short answer: yes—many do. But you’ll need to understand how colour vision is assessed in the trade, where it m atters most, and how to work safely and accurately without relying on colour alone. This guide from Elec Training explains the rules, the workarounds, and the training routes that keep your career options open—whether you’re starting out locally with Electrician Courses West-Bromwich or Electrician Courses Stafford, moving toward your electrical NVQ Level 3, or upskilling into low-carbon roles via our EV installation course. 

What colour blindness means in practice 

Colour vision deficiency (CVD) ranges from mild to severe and most commonly affects red–green discrimination. In real jobs this may crop up when: 

• Identifying legacy cable colours (e.g., red/black/green) versus modern harmonised colours (brown/blue/green-yellow). 

• Reading multi-core control cables and certain data/telecoms pairs that rely on colour codes. 

• Working with resistor colour bands (rare in installation work, common in electronics). 

• Picking out indicator LEDs (red/green/amber) on devices and panels. 

The key point: safe, compliant work doesn’t rely on colour alone. You’ll be trained to confirm identity by position, marking, and test results (continuity, polarity, impedance), not just by looking at the sheath. 

Industry requirements (plain-English version) 

The Joint Industry Board (JIB) sets medical standards for apprentices and graded electricians. For apprentices, JIB normally expects normal colour vision, evidenced by recognised tests such as Ishihara or CAD. If you don’t pass Ishihara, a pass on a CAD (Colour Assessment & Diagnosis) test can still demonstrate functional colour recognition for safe electrical work. 

What this means for you: 

• Don’t self-exclude. Many candidates who fail a simple Ishihara screening can still pass a CAD assessment that’s more job-relevant. 

• Be upfront, early. Tell us at application stage so we can advise on the most suitable test pathway and training plan. 

• Case-by-case support. At Elec Training we review individual results and the type of work you aim to do, then map a pathway toward competence without compromising safety. 

Where colour really matters—and how to de-risk it 

1) Legacy colours & mixed installations 
Older UK i nstalls use red (line), black (neutral), and solid green (earth). Modern installs use brown, blue, and green/yellow. On refurbishments or extensions, both may appear. 
Workaround: verify by testing (continuity/polarity), check terminal position, and apply clearly printed markers or sleeves before you reconnect. 

2) Multi-core and control wiring 
Some control cables use dense colour codes. 
Workaround: number ferrules or engraved markers; follow drawings that reference core numbers rather than colours; cross-check by ringer tests. 

3) Panel indications 
Reds, ambers, and greens can look similar with certain CVD. 
Workaround: choose devices with symbols/text or different flash patterns as well as colour; label pads; rely on the alarm code, not just lamp colour. 

4) Lighting & switching 
CPCs and switched lines must never be identified by colour alone. 
Workaround: sleeve correctly, prove dead, test every time, and record your results on the certs. 

Practical strategies that work on site 

• Test, don’t guess. Prove identity with your meter: continuity, polarity, and R1+R2 beat eyeballing any day. 

• Mark everything. Use numbered ferrules, printed heat-shrink, or tagged labels so you and the next person can read the same story. 

• Prefer high-contrast kit. Choose testers with large fonts/bar-graphs and devices whose terminals are physically keyed and clearly mould-marked (L/N/PE). 

• Adopt a consistent method. Same test sequence, same labelling convention, same photos for your portfolio and EIC/EICR evidence. 

• Use documentation. Good drawings, schedules, and certs reduce reliance on memory and colour; they also strengthen your NVQ evidence set. 

• Buddy checks for first-fix. On complex multi-core looms, a quick second set of eyes avoids mix-ups at the panel. 

Training routes that keep doors open 

1) Entry to work and your NVQ 

If you’re starting out, your aim is to build toward the electrical NVQ Level 3 (with AM2 at the end). That portfolio is evidence-based—photos, test sheets, risk assessments—not colour-matching exercises. Your assessor will care that the installation is safe, tested, and compliant, with the right identification in place. 

• Local starts: Electrician Courses West-Bromwich and Electrician Courses Stafford run small groups and guided p racticals so you can develop robust test-first habits. 

• On programme, we’ll help you standardise your labelling and test evidence so colour is never your only identifier. 

2) Choosing early specialisms 

If your colour vision is borderline on Ishihara but you pass CAD (or you simply prefer low-risk, structured wiring), consider roles where numbered identification is the norm: 

• EV charge points (domestic & small commercial). Devices have clearly marked terminals and manufacturer-specific step-by-steps; commissioning relies on test values and app readouts rather than colour judgement. Our EV installation course is a smart first upskill once you’re confident with inspection and testing. 

• Distribution & containment (tray, trunking, conduit). The work is about routes, supports, and correct terminations—inspection and torque values trump colour recognition. 

• Data cabling & smart tech with numbered pairs or labelled terminals; you’ll punch-down to standards and test with certifiers. 

3) Build your testing confidence 

Colour confusion reduces as your testing discipline increases. Consider adding (or preparing for) inspection and testing training as soon as you are comfortable with fundamentals. Being method-driven keeps you accurate whatever your colour vision looks like. 

Safety, compliance, and your rights 

• Safety first: Even with perfect vision, no electrician should rely on colour to prove identity on live or dead circuits. Colour is a hint; tests are the proof. 

• Workplace adjustments: Many employers are happy to make reasonable adjustments—for example, ensuring drawings reference core numbers, specifying kit with text/shape indicators, and agreeing team checks on certain tasks. 

• Be professional about it: Tell your supervisor how you prefer to mark and verify conductors. Clear method statements and consistent labelling help everyone—and look excellent in your NVQ portfolio. 

FAQ 

Will colour blindness stop me getting an apprenticeship? 
Not automatically. You’ll usually be asked to complete a colour vision assessment. If you don’t pass Ishihara, request a CAD test. We’ll advise on the best route based on your results. 

Can I still reach fully qualified status? 
Yes—provided you meet the JIB colour vision standard (typically via Ishihara or CAD), complete your NVQ Level 3, and pass AM2. Your evidence is about safe, correct work, not colour spotting. 

Which tasks are trickiest with CVD? 
Legacy cable colours, some multi-core control wiring, and panel indicators. All can be managed with numbered identification, good drawings, and test-led methods. 

What should I buy for my toolkit? 
A tester with a clear display and audible cues, a good label/ferrule kit, fine-tip markers, and a bright head-torch to improve contrast. That combination makes a big difference day-to-day. 

Your next steps with Elec Training 

• Ready to begin locally? Check upcoming intakes at Electrician Courses West-Bromwich or Electrician Courses Stafford. 

• Planning the full journey? Map out your electrical NVQ Level 3 milestone early so your on-site evidence and test sheets are portfolio-ready. 

• Looking to align with the EV boom? Add our EV installation course once you’re confident with inspection and testing—great for employability and future-proof skills. 

Colour blindness doesn’t have to short-circuit your ambition. Get the right assessment, adopt test-first working, label everything clearly, and choose training that builds your competence step by step. We’ll help you design a pathway that’s safe, compliant, and rewarding.