What is NAPIT

Full definition

NAPIT — the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers — is a UKAS-accredited certification body and trade association operating across the building services and fabric sector in the United Kingdom. It is one of the UK's largest Government-approved bodies in its field and reports more than 20,000 members.

Unlike single-trade bodies such as NICEIC (electrical) or Gas Safe Register (gas), NAPIT operates across multiple disciplines under one membership umbrella. Its certification and Competent Person Schemes cover:

• Electrical installations
• Plumbing and heating
• Renewable energy technologies
• Ventilation and air conditioning
• Fire safety
• Building fabric (insulation, windows, solid walls)

NAPIT is designated by the Secretary of State as a Government-Authorised Competent Person Scheme operator for several parts of the Building Regulations, including Part P (electrical safety in dwellings) and provisions relating to combustion appliances and renewable systems. Member businesses enrolled in the relevant scheme may self-certify completed notifiable work — issuing the required certificate to the homeowner and notifying the local authority on their behalf — rather than submitting a Building Notice before work begins.

NAPIT is also a TrustMark Scheme Provider, meaning that businesses approved under NAPIT schemes can appear in the TrustMark public register as Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme registrants, and an accredited certification body for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) in the renewables sector.

Why it matters (legal requirement and trust)

The Building Regulations set minimum standards for construction, alteration, and installation work in England and Wales. Certain categories of work — including most fixed electrical wiring in dwellings, replacement windows, and the installation of heating appliances — are notifiable, meaning they require third-party verification or local authority oversight. NAPIT membership provides the legal route for multi-trade contractors to self-certify across several of these categories from a single body.

For building owners and facilities managers, instructing a NAPIT-registered contractor provides documentary evidence of compliance with the Building Regulations — the Competent Person Certificate issued on completion is a legal document. This documentation is important for insurance, resale, and mortgage purposes.

How membership and certification work

Businesses apply to NAPIT for membership under the relevant scheme or schemes. The process includes:

1. Application and competency evidence: The applicant provides evidence of qualifications, insurance, and experience appropriate to the trade.
2. Technical assessment: NAPIT assessors inspect recent work and review test or commissioning records for technical compliance.
3. Ongoing surveillance: Members are subject to regular monitoring visits; non-compliant work can result in suspension or removal from the scheme.
4. Self-certification rights: Once enrolled, the business can issue the statutory certificate (for example, an Electrical Installation Certificate for Part P work) and notify the local authority on the homeowner's behalf.

Consumers can verify a contractor's NAPIT membership via the public register at napit.org.uk.

Difference from NICEIC

Dimension	NAPIT	NICEIC
Trade scope	Multi-trade: electrical, plumbing, heating, renewables, ventilation, fire, building fabric	Primarily electrical installation contracting
Membership	20,000+ members	One of the largest single-trade electrical bodies in the UK
UKAS accreditation	Yes	Yes
TrustMark Scheme Provider	Yes	Yes
MCS certification body	Yes	Not directly
Regulatory focus	Multiple Building Regulations parts	Primarily Part P (electrical)

Related terms

NICEIC, Gas Safe Register, TrustMark.