What is Gas Safe Register

Full definition

Gas Safe Register is the official statutory register for gas engineers operating in Great Britain, the Isle of Man, and Guernsey. It is appointed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the single approved body under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Under Regulation 3 of those Regulations, no person may carry out gas fitting work unless they are competent to do so and are a member of an approved class of persons designated by the HSE. Gas Safe Register is that approved class. The register replaced the former CORGI scheme in April 2009 after the HSE retendered the contract for the approved body.

The register covers all gas types: natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and gas in caravans and boats. Every registered engineer receives a photo ID card carrying their licence number, the expiry date, and the specific gas appliance categories they are qualified to work on — for example, central heating systems, gas fires, cookers, or landlord safety checks.

Why it matters (legal requirement and trust)

Working on a gas appliance without Gas Safe registration is a criminal offence under the 1998 Regulations, carrying a potential fine or imprisonment. For landlords, the obligation is particularly direct: the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require that gas appliances and flues in rented properties be inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and that tenants receive a copy of the resulting gas safety record within 28 days of the check.

For homeowners and facilities managers, using an unregistered engineer may invalidate buildings insurance, void appliance warranties, and create personal liability in the event of an accident. The ID card provides verifiable, third-party confirmation of competence that no self-declared qualification or website badge can replicate.

How registration works

Registration operates at the business level. A gas fitting business applies to Gas Safe Register, demonstrates that each engineer holds the relevant Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) qualification for their appliance categories, and pays the applicable annual fee. Upon successful assessment, the business is listed on the public register and each qualified engineer receives a personal ID card.

Engineers must maintain their ACS qualifications, which require reassessment every five years. If a new appliance category is added to an engineer's scope of work, the relevant ACS assessment must be passed before the card is updated.

Members of the public can check any engineer's registration in real time by entering the licence number or business name on the Gas Safe Register website, or by calling 0800 408 5500. The free check confirms whether the card is current and which appliances the engineer is qualified to work on.

Difference from general trade accreditation schemes

Dimension	Gas Safe Register	TrustMark
Legal basis	Statutory — Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998	Non-statutory — Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme
Mandatory for work	Yes — criminal offence to work without registration	No — required only for certain government grant schemes
Appointed by	Health and Safety Executive (HSE)	Department for Business and Trade
Scope	Gas work only	156+ home trade service types
Verification	ID card; public register online or by phone	Public directory at trustmark.org.uk
Predecessor	CORGI (replaced April 2009)	Not applicable

Related terms

NICEIC, NAPIT, TrustMark.