Become an Approved Plumber
There are three basic requirements to become an Approved Plumber.
You must hold a plumbing related qualification recognised by the Scheme.
You must hold a certificate of Water Regulations Knowledge.
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 |
NVQ level 3 Heating and ventilation (domestic installation) | 100/3376/2 |
NVQ level 3 Heating and ventilation (Industrial and Commercial Installation) | 100/3376/2 |
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 |
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating | 600/1122/1 |
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Warm Air Appliances) | 600/1124/5 |
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances) | 600/1134/8 |
NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Heating | 600/1473/8 |
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 |
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 |
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 | |
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) | |
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.
Scope
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.
Application
If you meet the above requirements, you can download the application form to join the scheme click here.