Trade Cards & Qualifications: What You Need
A qualification, a scheme registration and a site-access card do different jobs. Buying one does not automatically satisfy the other two.
Know which requirement you are meeting
| Item | What it establishes | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Trade qualification | Training or assessed competence for its stated scope | Automatically register a business or grant every work category |
| Gas Safe registration | The registered gas-work route and relevant categories | Cover appliances or work outside those categories |
| Competent-person scheme | Self-certification of specified building work in its authorised scope | Replace competence or cover every jurisdiction |
| Site-access/occupation card | Evidence the client or site expects for that role | An unrestricted licence to carry out regulated work |
Buy the missing requirement, not another badge
For a real job, send the client the qualifications and registration you already hold. If something is missing, get the exact card, occupation or scheme scope named before paying for a course.
For a new service, establish the qualification, assessed work and registration route together. A course advertised as “suitable for electricians” is not proof your own experience meets the entry requirements.
The government scheme list identifies authorised work types. The Gas Safe and electrical scheme guides explain the relevant distinctions.
Updated 29 October 2026 · Report a factual error