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Electrical10 Jul 2026

EICR fixed-wire testing: NHS and private care home frequency difference clarified

The IET has confirmed that care homes operating under CQC registration should treat their EICR cycle as a maximum of five years, irrespective of building age or tenure type.

Why this matters

Many operators are unknowingly running on outdated EICRs issued when the building was a domestic property. This creates a material risk if an incident occurs.

What to do
  • 1Check the issue date on your current EICR if it is more than five years old, commission a new one immediately.
  • 2Confirm that the inspector is registered with a competent persons scheme (e.g. NICEIC, NAPIT).
  • 3Store the EICR and any associated remediation certificates in your compliance evidence file.
Primary source
IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) Inspection & Testing
View source
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