Become an Approved Plumber

There are three basic requirements to become an Approved Plumber.

  1. You must hold a plumbing related qualification recognised by the Scheme.

  2. You must hold a certificate of Water Regulations Knowledge.

  3. You must hold the relevant minimum level of liability insurance.

Qualifications

The following plumbing qualifications are recognised for membership. Each qualification needs to be supported by a Water Regulations Knowledge certificate unless the Plumbing Qualification certificate explicitly states it includes Water Regulations Knowledge.

Recognised plumbing related qualifications

The following plumbing / installation qualifications from the awarding bodies listed below are recognised for Approved Plumber membership.

City & Guilds
Level 2

Please note you will also require a Water Regulations Knowledge certificate - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

Level 2 NVQ Certificate. Mechanical Services Engineering (plumbing)

100/3284/8 (6089)

NVQ level 2 Heating and ventilation (domestic installation)

100/3375/0 (6088-01)

NVQ level 2 Heating and ventilation (industrial and commercial installation)

100/3375/0 (6088-02)

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

501/1981/3 (6189-11)

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

501/1981/3 (6189-57)

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

501/1981/3 (6189-74)

NVQ level 2 heating and ventilation

6008-01

Level 2 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing

6009

NVQ Level 2 Heating & Ventilating Installation (industrial and commercial)

6018-01

NVQ level 2 heating and ventilation installation

6018-02

Level 2 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing

Q1027228 (6019)

Level 3

Please note if Water Regulations Knowledge is not included within your qualification you will need have this separately for membership - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

Level 3 NVQ/SVQ Certificate. Mechanical Services Engineering (plumbing)

100/3285/X
(6089)

NVQ level 3 Heating and ventilation (domestic installation)

100/3376/2
(6088-05)

NVQ level 3 Heating and ventilation (Industrial and Commercial Installation)

100/3376/2
(6088-06)

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance (Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating and Wet Central Heating)

600/0905/6

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance (Water Heating & Wet Central Heating)

600/0914/7

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation & Maintenance (Water Heating & Wet Central Heating)

600/0918/4

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation (Water Heating & Wet Central Heating)

600/0919/6

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance (Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating and Wet Central Heating and Domestic Warm Air)

600/0921/4

Level 3 Diploma in Heating and Ventilating Industrial and Commercial Installation

600/1009/5

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heating & Ventilating Industrial and Commercial Installation

600/1009/5 (6188-30)

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating (Gas Fired Warm Air Appliances)

600/1116/6
(6189-42)

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

600/1122/1
(6189-31)

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Warm Air Appliances)

600/1124/5
(6189-32)

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)

600/1134/8
(6189-33)

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating

600/1473/8
(6189-41)

NVQ level 3 heating and ventilation

6008-03

Level 3 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing

6009

NVQ level 3 heating and ventilation installation

6018-03

Level 3 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing

Q1027228
(6019)

Others

Please note you will also require a Water Regulations Knowledge certificate - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

Marine Plumbing

248

Craft Certificate in Plumbing

596-1

Advanced Craft Certificate in Plumbing

596-2

Craft Certificate Heating & Ventilating Fitting

597-1

Advanced Craft Certificate Heating & Ventilating Fitting

597-2

Craft Certificate in Plumbing

603-1

Advanced Craft Certificate in Plumbing

603-2

Craft Certificate Heating & Ventilating Fitting

604-1

Advanced Craft Certificate Heating & Ventilating Fitting

604-2

BPEC

Please note if Water Regulations Knowledge is not included within your qualification you will need have this separately for membership - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

600/5270/3

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)

600/6284/8

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)

600/6286/1

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

600/6863/2

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating

600/6871/1

L3 Award in Hot & Cold Water Safe Systems and Sanitation (WaterSafe Experienced Worker Qualification)

600/9431/X

EAL

Please note if Water Regulations Knowledge is not included within your qualification you will need have this separately for membership - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

Level 2 NVQ Certificate. Mechanical Services Engineering (plumbing)

100/5649/X

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

501/1752/X

Level 3 NVQ/SVQ Certificate. Mechanical Services Engineering (plumbing)

100/5650/6

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation (Water Heating & Wet Central Heating)

600/1034/4

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance (Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating and Wet Central Heating and Domestic Warm Air)

600/1039/3

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance (Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating and Wet Central Heating)

600/1042/3

Level 3 Diploma in Heating and Ventilating Industrial and Commercial Installation

600/1163/4

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

600/1252/3

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating

600/1253/5

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating (Gas Fired Warm Air Appliances)

600/1451/9

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Warm Air Appliances)

600/1453/2

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)

600/1454/4

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)

600/1657/7

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance (Water Heating & Wet Central Heating)

600/1660/7

Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation & Maintenance (Water Heating & Wet Central Heating)

600/1661/9

FETAC

Please note if Water Regulations Knowledge is not included within your qualification you will need have this separately for membership - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

National Craft Certificate – Plumbing

N/A

Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate – Plumbing

N/A

LCL Awards

Please note if Water Regulations Knowledge is not included within your qualification you will need have this separately for membership - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification Title

Qualification code

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in the Installation & Maintenance of Plumbing & Heating Systems

603/7342/8

SQA

Please note if Water Regulations Knowledge is not included within your qualification you will need have this separately for membership - see Water Regulations Training.

Qualification title

Qualification code

MES: Domestic plumbing level 3 SVQ

G77H 23

SVQ Level 3 in plumbing

G9W9 23

SVQ 3 Domestic Plumbing and Heating at SCQF level 7

G9W9 23



Recognised Water Regulations Knowledge certificates

Water Regulations Knowledge certificates from the following organisations are recognised for Approved Plumber membership.

Awarding organisation

Qualification title

Dates accepted

From
To

Blue Flame

Knowledge of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (WR23-1)

12/6/23

11/6/26

AdSkills

AdSkills Water (Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws covering the UK & NI (WR1.4)

1/6/24

31/5/25

BPEC

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (WRWB)

12/6/23

11/6/26

Cert-ain Certification Ltd

Water Regulations (WR2)

1/4/23

31/3/26

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

Course in Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 for Plumbers

9/3/21

31/3/26

LCL Awards

Water Regulations (LCWR-23)

1/4/23

31/3/26

NICEIC

Water Regulations (YYYY/WR)*

*Year can be from 2023

12/6/23

11/6/26

ERS

Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (WREG)

1/11/23

31/10/26

Water Regs UK

Course in Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 for Plumbers

9/3/21

31/3/26

Historic awards

The following qualifications can be recognised provided they were issued within the dates detailed below.

Awarding organisation

Qualification title

Dates accepted

From
To

City and Guilds

Water Regulations & Unvented Hot Water Systems (3345)

-

31/1/2022

City & Guilds

Craft Certificate for Water Regulations for Building Services Personnel/Contractors

-

31/1/2022

Construction Skills

Certificate in Water Regulations knowledge

-

31/1/2022

UK Certification

Water Regulations

-

31/1/2022

Blueflame Certification

Certificate in Water Regulations knowledge

-

31/3/2023

BPEC Certification

Certificate in Water Regulations knowledge

-

31/3/2023

Cert-ain Certification Ltd

Certificate in Water Regulations knowledge (WR1)

-

31/3/2023

European Registration Scheme for Personnel Competence Ltd (ERS)

Water Supply Water Fittings (WRAS) Course

-

31/3/2023

LCL Awards (formerly Logic Certification)

Water Regulations Certificate (LCWR)

-

31/3/2023

NICEIC Certification

Water Regulations (WRAS)

-

31/3/2023

 



If you do not have a recognised certificate then the following providers may be able to offer training.

Providers of recognised Water Regulations Knowledge training for plumbing installers

The following providers offer full water regulations knowledge training.

Qualification Title

Certification / Training providers

Knowledge of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (WR23-1)

Blue Flame Certification - www.blueflamecertification.com/about/assessments/

Water Regulations (WR2)

Cert-ain Certification Ltd - cert-ain.com/water-regulations.html

Water Regulations (YYYY/WR)*

*Year can be from 2023

NICEIC - www.shop.niceic.com/water-regulations-course

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (WRWB)

BPEC - bpec.org.uk/qualification/water-regulationsbyelaws/

Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (WREG)

ERS - erscert.co.uk/courses/water/water-supply-water-fitting-regulations/

Water Regulations (LCWR-23)

LCL Awards - lclawards.co.uk/qualifications/sectors/plumbing/

Course in Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 for Plumbers

Water Regs UK - Tel: 01495 98 30 10 email: wiaps@waterregsuk.co.uk

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water - Tel: 01792 841572 email WaterRegulations@dwrcymru.com website: dwrcymru.com/en/help-advice/water-regulations/watersafe-plumbers

The full Water Regulations Knowledge certificate can be used, as part of the qualifications criteria for Approved Plumber membership.

These certificates can also be used for membership to the following sector schemes, External Services (Groundworkers), Catering Equipment Installers and Point of Use Installers.



Insurance requirements

For a company employing more than one person, the minimum required level of insurance required is £5m employer liability and £2m public liability. For sole traders, a minimum of £2m public liability insurance is required.

S​cope

The scope of work which an approved Plumber can issue certificates of compliance includes:

  • work on any plumbing system when installing, repairing or maintaining internal or external water fittings, including underground pipes within the geographical boundaries of WIAPS

Certified work is limited to those premises that are supplied or that are intended to be supplied by a water company or water supplier licensee.

Approved Plumbers are not approved to issue certificates of compliance for work on:

  • water company mains;

  • the water company communication pipe between the water company main and the customers supply pipe. E.g. upstream of the external stop tap;

  • excavations on the public highway;

  • the operation of or connection to a water undertakers’ outside stop valve;

  • work on waste pipes or drainage systems.

Membership fees

Membership of WIAPS as an approved plumber is currently free.

A​pplication

If you meet the above requirements, you can download the application form to join the scheme click here.



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