An electrical certificate of compliance (COC) confirms that your electrical installation is safe and meets current SANS 10142-1:2020 requirements. But not every certificate handed to you is actually valid. Here’s how to check.
1. 1. Get a copy of the certificate
Start with the physical or scanned certificate. The original is a yellow, double-sided document. If you only have a copy of the front page, ask for the reverse side too.
2. Check that it’s filled out correctly
A valid certificate should have:
- A unique pre-printed registration number from the Department of Employment and Labour
- The property address, matching the property in question
- The date of issue
- The name, registration number, and contact details of the electrician or contractor who carried out the inspection
- Signed by both the registered person and the contractor
- Full test results on the reverse side
Missing signatures, a blank registration number, or an address that doesn’t match the property are all red flags. A certificate that’s incomplete in any of these areas isn’t valid, regardless of how official it looks.
3. Confirm it hasn’t expired
A COC has no fixed expiry date but it is a bit complicated. Two things can make an otherwise valid certificate unusable:
Age, for property transfers
If you’re selling, the certificate must be no older than two years at the time of transfer. Older than that, and a new inspection is required regardless of the installation’s condition.
Changes to the installation
Any electrical work carried out since the certificate was issued, such as a new circuit, solar installation, or added plugs or lights, means the original certificate no longer reflects the current state of the installation. Wear and tear on an aging installation can also affect whether it would still pass inspection today, even if the certificate itself hasn’t technically expired.
4. Verify the electrician’s registration
The certificate is only as valid as the person who issued it. Registered electricians fall into one of three categories, each with different limits on what they’re allowed to certify: Master Installation Electrician, Installation Electrician, or Electrical Tester for Single Phase. Not everyone is permitted to certify every type of installation.
To verify:
- Ask if the electrician’s has their Registered Electrical License or Registered Contractor License
- Ask if the electrician is registered with the Department of Employment and Labour
Note: Electricians/Contractors may be reluctant to email personal ID documents due to fraud risk. Most prefer to show their license or registration in person on-site instead, if requested.
Be wary of anyone offering a COC at an unusually low price, or without physically inspecting the property. A certificate issued without a proper inspection carries no legal weight, offers no protection if something goes wrong, and can affect an insurance claim down the line.
Still not sure if your certificate holds up?
For more on what a COC covers and how the inspection process works, read What is an Electrical Certificate of Compliance?