Do I Need to Retake My 18th Edition Exam for Amendment 4?

If you already hold an 18th Edition qualification and you have heard that Amendment 4 to BS 7671 was published in April 2026, you may be asking yourself a very reasonable question: do I have to sit the exam all over again?

The short answer is no. But there is an important caveat — and understanding the difference between your qualification and your competence is what this article is all about.

Your existing qualification remains valid

If you already hold an 18th Edition (2382) qualification, you are not automatically forced to retake the full course when a new amendment appears. Your City & Guilds 2382-22 certificate does not expire or become invalid simply because the standard it relates to has been updated. Amendments to BS 7671 have never automatically invalidated existing certifications, and Amendment 4 is no different.

This is worth stating clearly because there is often unnecessary anxiety, and occasionally misleading information, circulating in the trade when a new amendment is published. Your certificate is still your certificate.

But your knowledge does need to be updated

Here is the distinction that matters: while your qualification remains valid, the standard you are expected to work to has changed.

Your existing qualification remains valid, but you will need to understand and apply the new Amendment 4 requirements to remain compliant when carrying out work under the updated regulations.

After 15 October 2026, the previous version — BS 7671:2018+A2:2022+A3:2024 — will be withdrawn, and BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 becomes the only recognised national standard. From that point, if you are designing, installing, inspecting, or certifying electrical work, you are expected to know and apply the updated regulations. Working to a withdrawn standard is not just a compliance risk — it is a professional liability.

The practical implication is straightforward: if you already hold the 18th Edition, you won't need to retake the full qualification, but you will need to update your knowledge to stay compliant with the latest wiring standards.

What does updating your knowledge actually involve?

Amendment 4 is not a minor tweak. It is the most significant update to BS 7671 since Amendment 2 in 2022, and it introduces genuinely new technical content that was not covered in your original qualification. The key areas include:

Stationary secondary batteries (new Chapter 57)

This is an entirely new chapter covering battery energy storage systems (BESS) in domestic, commercial, and industrial settings. It addresses thermal runaway risks, isolation requirements, location restrictions, ventilation, and documentation. This content did not exist in any previous version of BS 7671. If you install solar-plus-storage, home battery systems, or commercial energy storage, this chapter is essential reading — not optional.

Power over Ethernet (new Section on PoE)

For the first time, BS 7671 explicitly covers Power over Ethernet technology, which powers devices such as LED lighting, access control, and security cameras through data cabling. New requirements cover cable derating, protection, and load calculations.

Functional earthing for ICT systems

A new section clarifies requirements for earthing in information and communication technology environments — relevant to data centres, server rooms, and commercial fit-outs.

Revised Section 710: Medical Locations

The medical locations section has been substantially updated with stronger resilience, classification, and testing requirements. If you work on healthcare sites, this revision directly affects how you design and document installations.

None of this was in your original qualification. You need to know it to practise compliantly from October 2026 onwards.

What training options are available?

There are two routes, depending on your situation.

Option 1: Amendment 4 update course (most people)

If you already hold the 18th Edition qualification, Virtual College offer a workshop course covering the Amendment 4 changes. This is shorter and less expensive than sitting the full qualification again.

This focused update course covers the new and revised sections without repeating content you already know. They are the appropriate route for the vast majority of practising electricians who hold a current 18th Edition qualification.

Virtual College's Amendment 4 update course is delivered online, so you can fit it around your working schedule without taking time off site.

Option 2: Full 18th Edition course including Amendment 4 (new to the qualification)

If you do not yet hold an 18th Edition qualification at all, there is no shortcut — you need the full qualification. The good news is that from April 2026, the new 18th Edition course includes Amendment 4 content as standard. You will learn the most current version of the regulations from the outset, so there is no need to take a separate update course.

This route is also worth considering if your existing qualification is several years old and you feel your knowledge of the wider regulations — not just Amendment 4 — would benefit from a full refresh.

What will my competent person scheme expect?

This is the question that often cuts through the uncertainty. Whatever the technical position on qualifications, your scheme provider sets the practical requirements for continued membership.

From 15 October 2026, your business will need to demonstrate access to a copy of Amendment 4:2026 to maintain your NICEIC certification. NAPIT and other scheme providers are expected to take a similar position.

Beyond access to the Orange Book, most schemes will expect their certified businesses and individuals to demonstrate up-to-date working knowledge of the regulations. In practice, completing a recognised Amendment 4 update course and keeping a record of that CPD is the cleanest way to evidence competence if you are ever audited.

Check directly with your scheme provider if you are uncertain about their specific requirements. Do not rely on secondhand information from colleagues or online forums — go to the source.

A note on timing

One of the most common mistakes electricians make during a transition period is assuming there is plenty of time. The six months between April and October 2026 may feel comfortable, but consider what that actually means in practice:

• Training course places are limited and will fill up as October approaches
• Your scheme provider may carry out audits before October 2026 and expect evidence of updating
• Projects planned or started before October still need to comply with A4 once the transition period ends
• Getting your paperwork, templates, and certification documents updated takes time alongside your day job

The electricians who book update training in May and June 2026 are the ones who will not be scrambling in September.

Summary: what you need to do

• If you already hold the 18th Edition qualification (2382-18 or 2382-22), you only need an Amendment 4 update or CPD course rather than a full resit.
• If you do not yet hold the 18th Edition qualification, you will need to complete the full 18th Edition course with Amendment 4 content included.
• If you currently hold a 17th Edition or earlier qualification, you will need to complete the full 18th Edition course including Amendment 4.
• If you have already completed Amendment 4 update training, you should obtain the Orange Book and update your documentation accordingly. 

The bottom line

You do not need to retake your 18th Edition exam. What you do need to do is update your knowledge of the new and revised content in Amendment 4, and do so before 15 October 2026. A focused update course is the fastest, most cost-effective way to get there — and it is what your competent person scheme will expect to see evidence of.

Virtual College's Amendment 4 update course covers all the new content in a flexible, online format you can complete at your own pace.