How to Check a Trade Registration or Qualification
How to verify that a tradesperson's registration, membership or qualification is genuine and current, and what to do if it cannot be confirmed.
Some jobs legally or practically require a registered professional. Others do not, but a recognised qualification or membership still tells you something. Whichever applies, a claim is only worth anything if it can be checked, and checking is usually quick.
Which jobs actually need registration?
In England and Wales, some work has to be carried out by someone competent and, in certain cases, registered. The most common examples are:
- Gas appliances and gas pipework, which must be done by a professional on the relevant gas register.
- Electrical work in homes, much of which must comply with Building Regulations, either by using a registered competent person or by involving building control.
- Some heating and hot water work, such as certain boiler installations or unvented systems.
- Work involving asbestos in certain circumstances.
Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and details change, so check gov.uk or the relevant trade body for your situation. Our article on gas and electrical work explains the general picture.
Types of claim you may hear
Different words mean different things:
- Registered, meaning listed on an official or scheme register, often required to carry out specific regulated work.
- Member of a trade body, meaning they belong to an association that may have its own standards and complaint process.
- Qualified, meaning they hold a certificate or diploma from a training provider.
- Accredited or approved, which depends entirely on who is doing the accrediting.
Ask which one they mean, then check the right place.
How to check
- Ask for the registration or membership number and the exact scheme name. A real professional will have it to hand.
- Go to the scheme's own website. Search for it directly instead of using a link from the provider's message. Most major registers have an online search.
- Match the details. Check the name, business name, address and the types of work they are registered for. A gas engineer may be listed for some appliances and not others.
- Check the date or status. Registrations can lapse or be suspended.
- Ask to see the card or certificate in person when they arrive, and compare it with what you found.
What to do if you cannot confirm it
- Do not simply accept "it is in the post" or "the website is down".
- Ask them to send a clear photo of the card and the number again.
- If you still cannot confirm it for regulated work, do not proceed. Regulated work done by an unregistered person can cause safety risks and can create problems when you sell or insure the property.
Insurance is a separate check
Registration does not prove insurance. For larger work, ask for a copy of the public liability policy and check the cover dates. Our article on questions to ask before hiring lists how to bring it up.
Qualifications that are less clear-cut
Many trades, such as painting, plastering or general building, have no single mandatory register. In that case:
- Ask about relevant training or apprenticeships.
- Ask for photos or addresses of recent work of the same type.
- Check whether they belong to a reputable trade body and verify membership with it.
- Lean on reviews from completed jobs.
Certificates you should receive
After regulated work, you should generally receive written paperwork, such as a safety record or installation certificate, and building control may be notified by the registered professional. Ask in advance what you will receive and when. Keep every certificate safely, because you may need them if you sell your home or make an insurance claim.
Verified profiles versus registrations
A platform identity check, like the ID verification on Compito, confirms who someone is. It does not replace checking a trade register for regulated work. Read what a verified profile does and does not tell you.
Common mistakes
- Trusting a logo on a van or a website badge without checking.
- Accepting a number without checking whose name it is under.
- Assuming that registration for one type of work covers everything.
- Forgetting to ask for the certificate afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Is a trade body membership the same as being registered?
No. Membership of a trade association shows they have joined it. Registration on an official or scheme register is usually what the law or building rules refer to for regulated work.
Can I check a registration by phone?
Many schemes offer a phone line as well as an online search. Use contact details taken from the scheme's own website, not from the provider.
What if my provider says they do not need to be registered?
Look up the rules for your type of job on gov.uk or ask the relevant trade body. If you are not sure, ask the provider how the work will be certified and get that answer in writing.