What qualification do you need to test and tag electrical appliances?

I often get asked “Who can test and tag appliances?”

The answer is usually fairly simple – they need to be a competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760.

The standard AS/NZS 3760 – Clause 1.4.4 states:

A competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760 is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks.

Contrary to common belief, a competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760 is not required to be a registered or licensed electrical practitioner.

The expectations of a “competent personA competent person is one who the responsible person ensures has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the required tasks. Source: AS/NZS 3760” include;

• being able to use the test equipment correctly
• understanding the dangers of electricity
• understanding of basic electrical principles and circuit protection
• understand the design differences between Class 1 & 2 appliances
• understand the application and requirements of AS/NZS 3760

These requirements do vary between jurisdictions. In Queensland the technician must also hold a registered electrical contracting license.

See also: Test and Tag License Part 2