Registering as an Electrical Worker for Electrical Work

Introduction

All workers engaged in electrical work on fixed electrical installations must be registered with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). The purpose is to ensure that such work is carried out only by qualified electrical workers. Electrical work means the work in relation to the installation, commissioning, inspection, testing, maintenance, modification or repair of a low-voltage or high-voltage fixed electrical installation and includes the supervision and certification of the work and the design of the installation. Examples of fixed electrical installations are distribution boards, wiring installations and lighting fittings, etc. that are fixed in premises. Persons engaged in work on portable electrical appliances, such as table lamps, television sets and refrigerators, etc., need not be registered.

Registration Requirements

There are five grades of certificates of registration. To be qualified, an applicant must possess appropriate qualifications, training and experience. Detailed requirements are shown in the Appendix.

How to Apply

For submissions in person or by mail:

1. Obtain appropriate application form(s):

   • New application/Change of grade of electrical work application -
     FORM 8 EMSD/EL/34 (08/2023) [PDF format (945KB)] and
     FORM 8(A) EMSD/EL/34A (08/2023) [PDF format (569KB)]
   • Renewal application -
     FORM 8 EMSD/EL/34 (08/2023) [PDF format (945KB)] only

   From:

   • Registration and Permit Office, EMSD, G/F, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong;
   • Telephone hotline: 1823 (for a fax copy);
   • Public Enquiry Services Centre of District Offices;
   • Government Forms web site: https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/forms/; or
   • EMSD website : www.emsd.gov.hk (select "Public Forms")

2. Complete the application form(s) according to the given instructions.

3. Submit the completed application form(s) together with supporting documents and an application fee in person or by mail to Registration and Permit Office, EMSD. Application fee is $475 for each new application/change of grade/ renewal or $340 for each replacement application (may be subject to periodic revision).

   Application fees are not refundable. Therefore, an applicant should not submit more than one application form at any one time.

Renewal applications must be made at least 1 month before and no earlier than 4 months before the expiry date. A certificate of registration for an electrical worker is normally valid for 3 years.

• Renewal Notice - Renewal of Certificate of Registration of Electrical Worker (REW) [PDF format (273KB)]

From 1 July 2021, the renewal of Registered Electrical Worker license can be applied online through "EMSD (Regulatory Services) Web Based Registration Services" and "iAM Smart +" by mobile phone or computer. Please read the guidelines and related requirements and information prior to using the services.

*Note: Renewal application submitted after the expiry date of the original registration will be treated as a new registration application, which will be assessed in accordance with the statutory requirements at the time of receiving such application. If the applicant cannot fulfill the registration requirements at that time (including recognized academic qualifications and electrical work experience), the application would be rejected regardless of the previous registration history of the applicant.

New Certificate of Registration of Electrical Worker

For applications submitted after 1 January 2010, EMSD would issue a new Certificate of Registration of Electrical Worker to replace the old one. The new certificate would include a photo of the registered electrical worker.

The EMSD also launched "Digital E&M Licences". Registered electrical workers (REW), competent persons under the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation can log into the mobile app of the EMSD "E&M Trade App" with their smartphones or other mobile devices to view their registration information and show their "Digital E&M Licences" to the public. The "Digital E&M Licences" service contains a dynamic QR code for anti-forgery purposes. Members of the public can scan the QR code to verify the registration information of the workers.

When electrical worker submits a registration application to EMSD (including new registration, registration renewal, change of registered grade, addition of permitted work type, and replacement of certificate), he has to submit a recent colour photograph and a copy of the HKID card with the application. The photograph would have same format as passport photograph with detail requirements as follows:

• Photograph should show full frontal face with clear facial features.
• Plain white background
• Size: 40mm (W) x 50mm (H)

When you take the photo, please do not wear head dress, and avoid heavy make-up or overly dark or overly light-coloured clothing.

The photograph will not be accepted if the applicant in the photograph is:

• Not centered
• Wearing a frame across eyes
• With hair across eyes or eyebrows
• Seen with flash reflection on face / glasses
• Wearing head dress
• With shadow
• Too light
• Too dark

Applicant can submit the photograph in hardcopy, or in the form of digital file . The acceptable file format of the digital photograph are as follows:

Documents / Information to be submitted together with the application form

In-person or by mail application check list

Enquiries

Registration and Permit Office, EMSD, G/F, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
(Operating hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. on Monday to Friday; closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays)

Appendix

Qualification Requirements for Registration as Electrical Workers for Different Grades of Electrical Work

Grade A Electrical Work

A Grade A applicant must have the qualifications and experience listed in EITHER (a), (b) OR (c):

1. 1. completed a registered contract of apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship Ordinance (Cap. 47) in the trade of electrical fitter or electrician and
   2. holds a craft certificate in electrical engineering issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education; and
   3. has at least one year of practical experience in electrical work.

2. has been employed as an electrical worker for at least five years, at least one year of which included practical experience in electrical work and

   1. holds a Certificate of the Electrician or Electrical Fitter Upgrading Course issued by the Electrical Industry Training Centre of the Vocational Training Council or an equivalent qualification; or
   2. passed an examination or trade test approved or set by the Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services.

3. has qualifications and experience that are equivalent to those required under either (a), or (b).

Grade B Electrical Work

A Grade B applicant must have the qualifications and experience listed in EITHER (a), (b) , (c) OR (d):

1. 1. has completed a registered contract of apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship Ordinance (Cap. 47) in the trade of electrical fitter, electrician or electrical engineering technician and
   2. holds a Higher Certificate in Electrical Engineering issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education or an equivalent qualification; and
   3. has at least two years of practical experience in electrical work.
2. holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering issued by Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education or an equivalent qualification and has been employed as an electrical worker for at least five years, at least two years of which included practical experience in electrical work.

3. has held, or qualified to hold, a Grade A certificate for at least five years and

   1. holds a Certificate in Electrical Engineering issued by Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education or an equivalent qualification and has at least three years of practical experience in electrical work; or
   2. has at least five years of practical experience in electrical work and has passed an examination or trade test approved or set by the Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services.

4. has qualifications and experience that are equivalent to those required under either (a), (b) or (c).

Grade C Electrical Work

A Grade C applicant must have the qualifications and experience listed in EITHER (a), (b) OR (c):

1. has obtained a degree in electrical engineering in a recognized university or an institution of tertiary education or an equivalent qualification and

   1. completed at least two years of post-graduate training in electrical engineering recognized by the Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services and has at least two years of subsequent practical experience in electrical work, or
   2. has at least six years of post-graduate practical experience in electrical engineering including at least one year of practical experience in electrical work.
2. 1. has held, or qualified to hold, a Grade B certificate for at least six years and
   2. has at least six years of practical experience in electrical work, and
   3. passed an examination or trade test approved or set by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services.

3. has qualifications and experience that are equivalent to those required under (a) or (b).

Grade R Electrical Work

A Grade R applicant must have special training and have at least four years of experience in the type, or similar type, of electrical work for which he is applying.

Grade H Electrical Work

A Grade H applicant must be qualified to hold a Grade B or Grade C certificate and have the qualifications and experience listed in EITHER (a) OR (b):

1. has completed a training course approved by the Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services for the design, installation, maintenance, testing or operation of high voltage electrical equipment and installations.

2. has at least one year of practical experience in the design, installation, maintenance, testing or operation of high voltage electrical equipment and installations.