Do Online Electrical Courses Count Toward Becoming an Electrician?

Structured blended approach: 

1. Complete electrical science and regulations theory online (flexible, self-paced) 

2. Attend mandatory in-person practical weeks (safe isolation, testing, installation techniques) 

3. Secure electrical employment or placement (supervised site work) 

4. Build NVQ portfolio through real workplace installations 

5. Complete AM2 practical assessment at NET centre 

6. Achieve Gold Card and full electrician status 

This model uses online delivery where it’s effective (theory) while ensuring practical competence is developed through supervised hands-on work. 

Remote Portfolio Submission 

Modern NVQ administration: E-portfolio systems like OneFile allow apprentices to upload evidence from their phones: 

• Photographs of completed installations 

• Videos of testing procedures 

• Written documentation and risk assessments 

• Supervisor sign-offs and witness statements 

This is legitimately online: The submission process is digital, making NVQ administration more efficient. But the crucial distinction: the work being documented must still be real, on actual sites, under supervision. You’re using online tools to submit evidence of practical work, not replacing practical work with online simulation. 

What Online Training Cannot Replace 

This is the critical section for anyone considering online-only routes. 

Cannot Prove Competence Under EAWR 

Regulation 16 requires both technical knowledge and experience. Online training might satisfy the knowledge component, but it categorically cannot provide the experience component. Legal competence to work unsupervised requires demonstrated ability to: 

• Assess electrical hazards in real environments with variables (existing installations, environmental factors, equipment conditions) 

• Safely isolate complex systems (multiple sources, interlinked circuits, potential for borrowed neutrals) 

• Perform testing sequences correctly (instrument selection, test lead verification, result interpretation) 

• Diagnose faults on unfamiliar installations (not pre-prepared training scenarios) 

Legal consequence: If an incident occurs, HSE investigations will examine competence. Online certificates alone will not satisfy the EAWR requirement for “experience necessary to prevent danger.” 

Cannot Replace Supervised Site Work 

The NVQ Level 3 requires extensive workplace evidence across diverse environments. Online learners have no workplace to generate this evidence. They cannot: 

• Document steel conduit installations they haven’t performed 

• Provide photos of three-phase panels they haven’t terminated 

• Show supervisor sign-offs from qualified electricians they haven’t worked under 

• Demonstrate progression from basic to complex tasks over time 

The career barrier: Without NVQ evidence, you cannot progress to AM2. Without AM2, you cannot get a Gold Card. Without a Gold Card, employers won’t hire you for electrical roles. This creates a closed loop where online-only learners are permanently stuck as “qualified” on paper but unemployable in practice. 

Cannot Prepare Adequately for AM2 

The AM2 practical assessment requires physical skills developed over hundreds of hours of supervised work: 

• Speed and efficiency in installation (timed tasks) 

• Muscle memory for testing sequences (prove-test-prove must be automatic) 

• Fault-finding under pressure (unfamiliar systems, limited time) 

• Professional work quality (neat terminations, secure fixings, cable management) 

Success data: Apprentices with 2-3 years of site experience typically pass AM2 first time (80-90% pass rate). Candidates attempting AM2 with minimal practical experience have much higher failure rates (40-60% fail first attempt). Online theory knowledge does not translate to physical competence. 

Cannot Satisfy CPS Requirements 

Competent Person Schemes require: 

• On-site assessment of actual completed work 

• Demonstration of practical testing competence 

• Verification of safe working practices 

• Evidence of genuine workplace experience 

NICEIC and NAPIT explicitly reject: Theory-only qualifications, online certificates without practical verification, candidates with no documented site experience, and NVQ claims without proper workplace evidence. 

Cannot Support Insurance Coverage 

Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance policies require electricians to be “qualified and competent” for the work they undertake. Insurers assess this through: 

• Recognised qualifications (NVQ Level 3, AM2) 

• Documented workplace experience 

• Competent Person Scheme membership 

• Evidence of continuing professional development 

Claims rejection risk: If an incident occurs and the insurer discovers the electrician holds only online theory certificates without NVQ/AM2, they may reject the claim. This leaves the individual personally liable for damages that could run into six or seven figures. 

Cannot Provide EICR/Commercial Testing Competence 

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) require: 

• C&G 2391-52 qualification (or equivalent experience) 

• Practical testing competence across unfamiliar installations 

• Ability to identify defects, assess risk, and code observations correctly 

• Understanding of installation methods, historical regulations, and special locations 

Online learning limitation: While you can study EICR theory online, the competence to conduct and certify testing requires extensive hands-on experience. Landlord EICRs and commercial periodic inspections carry legal liability – inspectors must demonstrate genuine competence, not just certificate collection. 

Safety, Liability, and Insurance Implications 

The consequences of working based on online-only training extend beyond employability. 

HSE Prosecution Risk 

Case example 1: Retail company fined £1 million after electrician suffered 15% burns from inadequate isolation planning and competence verification on complex three-phase systems. Investigation revealed insufficient practical experience for the task. 

Case example 2: Electrical contractor prosecuted following severe shock injury when incorrect wiring was installed. HSE found the individual lacked competence for the work undertaken, despite holding theory qualifications. 

Common factor: In both cases, technical knowledge (regulations, theory) was present, but practical experience and demonstrated competence were lacking. Online certificates would not have prevented these incidents or satisfied HSE investigators. 

Insurance Claim Rejection 

Policy requirements: Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance for electrical work requires proof that the person undertaking work is “qualified and competent.” 

What insurers accept: NVQ Level 3, AM2, Competent Person Scheme membership, demonstrated workplace experience, continuing professional development. 

What insurers reject: Theory-only qualifications, online certificates without practical verification, DIY or uncertified work, individuals operating beyond their demonstrated competence. 

Real consequence: If a fire, shock injury, or property damage occurs and the insurer discovers the electrician was “qualified” only through online courses without NVQ/AM2, they will reject the claim. The individual becomes personally liable for all damages, medical costs, and legal fees. 

Risk to Homeowners and Property 

The competence gap: Someone who has studied electrical theory online but never performed supervised practical work poses genuine risk: 

• Safe isolation procedures (prove-test-prove) may be understood theoretically but performed incorrectly in practice 

• Testing sequences may be incomplete or inaccurate, missing dangerous faults 

• Installation quality may not meet BS 7671 requirements despite theory knowledge 

• Fault diagnosis may be inadequate, leading to dangerous conditions 

Property damage risk: Incorrect electrical work can lead to fires, shock hazards, equipment damage, and invalidated building insurance. Homeowners who hire online-trained “electricians” may discover their insurance is void if issues arise. 

Comparative Outcomes: Online-Only vs Proper Qualification Routes 

The employment and earnings data clearly shows the difference in outcomes. 

Traditional Apprenticeship Route 

Pathway: 3-4 year apprenticeship with employer, combining work-based learning with college attendance, leading to NVQ Level 3 + AM2. 

Outcomes: 

• 80-90% employment rate post-qualification 

• Starting salary: £32,000-£38,000 (PAYE) 

• ECS Gold Card eligibility immediate 

• Clear progression to Approved Electrician (£42,000-£55,000) 

• Access to commercial, industrial, and specialist roles 

• JIB grading and wage structure applies 

Employer acceptance: Universally recognised across the industry. Apprentice-trained electricians are the preferred hire for major contractors. 

Blended Learning (Proper Structured Route) 

Pathway: Online theory components + mandatory in-person practicals + workplace placement for NVQ + AM2 assessment. 

Outcomes: 

• Good employment rates (70-80%) if placements secured 

• Starting salary: £30,000-£36,000 

• Gold Card achievable 

• Faster than full apprenticeship (18 months to 3 years) 

• Suitable for career changers and adult learners 

Employer acceptance: Recognised if properly structured with genuine NVQ evidence and AM2 pass. Some employers prefer apprentice route but accept well-qualified blended learners with good references. 

Online-Only Route 

Pathway: Remote study of Level 2, Level 3 theory, 18th Edition, no practical verification, no workplace experience, no NVQ, no AM2. 

Outcomes: 

• Very low employment rates as electricians (<10%) 

• Those who find work typically start as labourers or mates (£18,000-£24,000) 

• No Gold Card eligibility (maximum Trainee card) 

• Require full retraining to achieve NVQ + AM2 

• High frustration and sense of mis-selling 

Employer acceptance: Rejected for electrician roles. Sometimes accepted as electrical labourer or mate with expectation of retraining from scratch.