EICR vs EIC vs Minor Works: Which Certificate Do You Need?

An EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Minor Works Certificate all relate to electrical installations. They record different things. Choosing the right document starts with the work being carried out.

This guide explains the main differences, gives practical examples and looks at how electrical certification software can make the paperwork easier to manage.

At Certly, we aim to be the best electrical cert software around. For us, that means helping you complete certificates quicker and more simply, with less repetitive typing and less paperwork taking over your evenings and weekends.

The difference at a glance

Reference: IET model forms and their guidance.

What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report records the findings of an inspection and testing of an existing electrical installation. Its purpose is to assess condition within the agreed extent and limitations of the inspection.

It brings together the inspection findings, relevant test results and observations. It is a report on the installation’s condition, rather than a certificate declaring that new installation work has been completed.

For electricians handling these reports regularly, EICR software can help keep circuit schedules, readings and observations within one workflow.

When is an Electrical Installation Certificate used?

An Electrical Installation Certificate covers installation work and identifies the responsibilities for design, construction, inspection and testing. New installations and new circuits are common examples.

The certificate needs to describe the work it covers clearly. That helps the customer, another electrician or a reviewer understand what was installed and the scope of the certification.

An EICR is not a substitute for the appropriate certification of new work. The document should match the job, rather than whichever form is quickest to fill in.

Reference: IET Electrical Installation Certificate and guidance.

When can a Minor Works Certificate be used?

A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate is intended for qualifying additions and alterations that do not include a new circuit. The IET gives examples such as adding socket-outlets or lighting points to an existing circuit.

It cannot be used for a new circuit or for replacing a consumer unit or distribution board. A smaller document also does not remove the need for appropriate inspection and testing.

The electrician should select the correct certification for the actual work and record the relevant circuit details and results.

Reference: IET Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate and guidance.

What about remedial work after an EICR?

Keep the original condition report and the record of remedial work together. NICEIC explains that a new satisfactory report is not automatically required after remedial work: the contractor should provide appropriate certification confirming the required remedial work has been completed.

Which certificate is appropriate depends on what was done. Keeping that link clear makes the record easier to follow later.

Reference: NICEIC guidance on certificates and reports.

Making electrical certificates quicker and simpler to complete

The right form is the starting point. A sensible workflow helps with everything that follows.

• Record information while it is available. Keep relevant notes and results with the job rather than rebuilding the paperwork from memory later.
• Check reused details. Reusing information can reduce repetitive typing, but each document must reflect the actual installation and work.
• Review before issuing. Check the scope, results, observations and required declarations together.
• Keep the finished records organised. Make the report, certification and supporting information easy to find.

Electrical certification software should support that process. When comparing electrical certificate software, look at how easily it handles the documents you actually complete, not just how the finished PDF looks.

Why we’re aiming to be the best electrical certification software

We built Certly because completing certificates should be quicker and simpler. That is the standard we judge our software against: does it make the job easier for the person using it?

Our aim is to make Certly the best electrical certification software for electricians who want straightforward tools, less repetitive typing and more time back. Whether you complete one certificate or work through them every day, we want the paperwork to feel like a smaller part of the job.

That ambition applies to our EICR software and the wider certificate range. We want Certly to be the software you enjoy using because it helps you get the work finished.

More than EICRs: electrical certificate software for different jobs

Certly’s certificate library covers electrical installation and testing, EV charging, solar PV, fire, emergency lighting, ventilation and PAT. These are some of the certificates, reports and forms available:

• Electrical: EICR, Electrical Installation Certificate, Minor Works, Multiple Minor Works, Electrical Isolation Certificate, Electrical Danger Notification and Domestic Visual Condition Report.
• EV charging: EV Charging Installation Certificate.
• Solar PV: System Verification Certificate, Array Test Report, System Inspection Report and installation, commissioning and handover forms.
• Fire — Part 1: design, installation, commissioning, verification and acceptance certificates, alongside modification, device and servicing records.
• Domestic fire — Part 6: Design, Installation and Commissioning Certificate; Inspection and Servicing Certificate; Acceptance Certificate.
• Emergency lighting: Monthly Service Report, Periodic Inspection and Testing Certificate, completion certificates, compliance and device records.
• Fire extinguishers: Fire Extinguisher Service Report.
• Ventilation: Part F Ventilation Commissioning Sheet.
• PAT: In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

See the full Certly certificate range to find the documents for your work.

Simple to use. Optimised for mobile.

Electrical certification software needs to work where you do. We’ve optimised Certly for mobile use because completing certificates on a phone should feel straightforward, rather than like squeezing a desktop form onto a small screen.

We want you to spend more time recording the job and less time working out how to use the software. Clear layouts and a mobile-focused experience are part of making Certly a simple electrical certificate app for everyday work.

Certly is available on iPhone, iPad and Android, with desktop browser access when you want to work at a larger screen.

Looking for the quickest way to complete electrical certificates?

Our goal is to help you finish certs sooner, with less repetitive typing and a simpler route through the paperwork. If you’re searching for the fastest EICR software or the easiest electrical certification app, try Certly on the kind of job you normally complete.

See how it feels to enter the details, check the information and reach the finished document. We believe the best electrical certificate software earns its place by making that everyday process easier.

Customer service from real people

When you need help with Certly, you can speak to a real person. Email support@certly.co.uk or use the WhatsApp contact options on our website to message the team.

We want good customer service to be part of what makes Certly the best choice for your business. That means being approachable, listening to what you need and taking your feedback into the way we improve the software.

AI is in development

We’re also developing AI for Certly, with the aim of making certification simpler and reducing more of the admin around it. It is in development and is not available yet. We’ll share the specific capabilities and availability when they’re ready.

Our focus stays the same: useful improvements that help you get certificates completed, and a real team you can contact when you need support.

This is a general guide to document purposes. Certification decisions depend on the work and the applicable requirements of BS 7671.