Newcastle 18th Edition Courses

Why Newcastle Electricians Are Prioritising the 18th Edition Right Now

If you are an electrician based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham or anywhere across the North East, there has never been a better time to get your 18th Edition qualification in place — or to make sure the one you hold is current.

Amendment 4 of BS 7671 came into force in 2026, updating the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations and introducing changes that every practising electrician needs to understand. The current qualification is the City & Guilds 2382-26, which supersedes the previous 2382-22. If you are still working from Amendment 3 or earlier, your knowledge of the regulations is no longer current.

Newcastle’s construction pipeline is one of the most active in the North East. Major schemes including the Forth Yards development at Pottery Lane — delivering over 500 new homes — the £330 million Quay West waterfront regeneration, the Northumbria University campus expansion and the ongoing Northumberland Street public realm transformation are all generating sustained demand for qualified electrical contractors and installers across the city and region. On every one of those sites, compliance with the current edition of BS 7671 is not optional.

What Is the City & Guilds 2382-26?

The City & Guilds 2382-26 is the Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. It is the industry-standard qualification that demonstrates a working knowledge of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations and is required by most employers, contracting companies and certification bodies operating across the UK.

The qualification is relevant to a wide range of roles in the electrical sector, including:

• Electricians and electrical installers
• Electrical contractors and designers
• Inspection and testing engineers
• Electrical engineers and project managers
• Builders, surveyors and construction professionals with an electrical responsibilities
• Anyone working in domestic or commercial electrical installation

No prior electrical qualifications are required, though candidates working in the industry will find the content more straightforward to apply.

What Does Amendment 4 Change?

BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 introduces updates across several areas of the regulations. If you qualified under an earlier amendment, it is important to understand what has changed. The 2382-26 course and exam are fully aligned with Amendment 4, so everything you study and are assessed on reflects the current standard.

Key areas updated by Amendment 4 include requirements relating to protective measures, wiring systems, special installations and locations, and the prosumer installations chapter introduced in Amendment 2. The exam tests your ability to navigate the updated regulations and apply them to real installation scenarios.

How the Course Works

Our City & Guilds 2382-26 course is delivered entirely online, meaning you study at your own pace from home or on the go — no need to take time off work to attend classroom sessions in advance of the exam.

Once you have worked through the course material and feel ready, you sit the City & Guilds exam at our Newcastle exam centre at Collingwood Street, NE1 1JF. The centre is in the heart of Grainger Town, just 200 metres from Newcastle Central Station and within easy reach of the Central Metro Station and Monument Metro Station — straightforward to reach from anywhere across Tyneside, Wearside and the wider North East.

The exam itself is the City & Guilds 2382-26 assessment: a 60-question multiple-choice paper sat under open-book conditions, meaning you can use your copy of BS 7671 during the test. Results are typically available on the day.

Who Should Take This Course in Newcastle?

Electricians upgrading from 2382-22 or earlier If you hold a previous version of the 18th Edition qualification, the 2382-22 or earlier, you will need the 2382-26 to demonstrate compliance with Amendment 4. Many employers and certification bodies are already requesting the updated qualification.

New entrants to the electrical industry If you are working towards a career in electrical installation across Newcastle and the North East, the 2382-26 is one of the first qualifications you will need. It provides the regulatory foundation for all further electrical training and assessment.

Contractors working on major Newcastle schemes With large-scale residential, commercial and infrastructure projects active across the city, electrical contractors working on sites in Newcastle, Gateshead and the surrounding region need up-to-date compliance knowledge. The 2382-26 is the standard the industry works to.

Building trades with electrical responsibilities Builders, plumbers, heating engineers and other trades who carry out notifiable electrical work — particularly in domestic settings — benefit from holding the 18th Edition qualification and understanding what BS 7671 requires.

Why Study Online and Sit the Exam in Newcastle?

For electricians and electrical professionals based across the North East, travelling to a training centre in another city for a multi-day course is often impractical. Our approach gives you the flexibility to study online around your existing work commitments, then sit the exam at a convenient Newcastle city centre location on a date that suits you.

The Collingwood Street exam centre is easy to reach by rail, Metro or bus. Newcastle Central Station is on your doorstep, with direct services from Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough, Hexham and beyond. Whether you are based in the city or commuting in from across the region, the location works.

Weekly exam dates are available, so you are not waiting weeks for the next available slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2382-26 the same as the 18th Edition? Yes. The City & Guilds 2382-26 is the current qualification for the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, updated to reflect BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. It supersedes the 2382-22 which was aligned to Amendment 3.

Do I need to attend any classroom sessions? No. The course is delivered fully online. You study in your own time and then attend the Newcastle exam centre for the City & Guilds assessment.

Can I use my BS 7671 book in the exam? Yes. The 2382-26 is an open-book examination. You may bring your copy of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 into the exam room. Knowing how to navigate the book quickly is an important part of exam preparation.

How long does the exam take? The City & Guilds 2382-26 exam is 120 minutes. It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.

What do I do once I pass? On passing the exam you will receive the City & Guilds Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. This can be used to support JIB Gold Card applications, ECS card applications, and is accepted by NICEIC, NAPIT and other certification bodies.

I already have the 2382-22 — do I need to resit? Amendment 4 has introduced changes to the regulations. While your existing qualification remains on your record, many employers and scheme operators are now expecting the current 2382-26. We recommend upgrading to stay current.

Areas Served Across the North East

Our Newcastle exam centre is the most convenient option for electricians and electrical professionals travelling from across the region, including:

Newcastle city centre, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough, Hexham, Cramlington, Blyth, Morpeth, South Shields, North Shields, Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Washington, Chester-le-Street, Stanley and the wider Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland areas.

Book Your 18th Edition Exam in Newcastle

If you are based in Newcastle or anywhere across the North East and need to complete your City & Guilds 2382-26, we offer a straightforward route — study online at your own pace, then sit the exam at our Newcastle city centre exam centre at Collingwood Street, NE1 1JF.

Weekly dates are available. Check availability or get in touch to book your place.