Have you got electrical experience but don’t have the formal qualification? Or maybe you have a different qualification or an overseas qualification and you’re looking to get recognition towards electrical registration in New Zealand.
Recognition New Zealand is a platform delivered by EarnLearn to manage the full RCC process. We evaluate prior learning, map it to unit standards, and award credits towards the New Zealand electrical trade qualification – reducing training duplication and helping your team move faster towards EWRB registration.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) formally evaluates your employee’s existing electrical skills, qualifications, and work experience. This process can reduce the amount of additional training required to achieve the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4) or the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4).
To achieve the full qualification, applicants generally need 4+ years electrical workplace experience, in line with EWRB expectations.
Applicants must be able to provide:
All evidence is reviewed in Step 1 to confirm eligibility and expected credit outcomes before moving to full assessment.
Check the entry criteria above to ensure you can supply relevant evidence.
To do this, download the Applicant Evidence Guide & Checklist. Read through this carefully and complete all sections as required. This document outlines the types of evidence that are required.
Apply to EarnLearn by making your online payment for Step 1 and completing the online form. You will upload your evidence as part of the application process.
In this first step, the assessor will do an initial evaluation of your application and evidence and give you an estimate of how many credits they believe we will be able to award. The assessor may contact you with questions as part of this process. There is a fee of $230 for this initial consultation. From this consultation you will know how much the full process and awarding of the unit standards and credits will cost. Allow 10 working days for this process.
You can then decide if you want to go ahead with the full assessment process, and if yes, you will need to pay the full fee. See below for an explanation of the bands and costs, which are based on numbers of credits.
When you have applied and paid for Step 2 the assessor will complete a full assessment of your portfolio of evidence to determine the final units and credits that can be awarded.
As part of the assessment process the assessor will contact you to arrange a time to have a competency discussion. This is where they will discuss the evidence you have provided and gain insight into your experience, knowledge, and skills.
The assessor will also contact your work referee/s to confirm the standard of your work.
Following the above steps, the assessor will make a decision and notify EarnLearn of this.
EarnLearn will notify you of the final outcome of the assessment and confirm which unit standards will be awarded.
If you are not happy with the assessment outcome you can appeal. You can find out about the appeals process here on the Assessment page.
The full assessment process will take up to 30 working days
On successful completion of this process, EarnLearn will report the relevant unit standards and credits to NZQA. These will then show on your Record of Achievement and EarnLearn will issue you a letter of confirmation.
If you are awarded the full qualification through the RCC process, EarnLearn will also ensure this is reported to NZQA and will issue you a certificate.
If you have achieved part of the qualification through the RCC process and wish to continue with training to complete the rest of the qualification, EarnLearn can enrol you as a trainee. To do this you need to be working in an electrical workplace and complete the enrolment forms which EarnLearn will send you. You will be allocated to an Account Manager who will to discuss and arrange the remaining training.
Initial Evaluation
Assessment Bands
Short answers to the most common questions about Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) for Electrical — who can apply, how it works, timeframes, and what happens next.
Electrical Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) is designed for people who already have electrical skills, training, or experience but don’t hold the full New Zealand qualification. It’s ideal for applicants with overseas qualifications, older NZ qualifications, or substantial on-the-job experience who want a recognised pathway toward electrical registration.
You’ll need evidence of your electrical training (overseas or NZ), work experience, and—where relevant—the licence or registration you worked under. You must also be based in New Zealand and able to provide two work referees. Applicants typically need around four years of practical industry experience to be eligible for the full qualification.
The RCC process has two steps.
Step 1: We complete an Initial Evaluation to estimate how many credits you may be awarded based on your evidence.
Step 2: You undergo a full assessment of your portfolio, including a competency discussion if required. Any approved credits are then added to your NZQA Record of Achievement.
It depends on your background. RCC recognises existing skills and knowledge, but if you still have gaps after assessment, you can enrol with EarnLearn as an apprentice to complete the remaining unit standards. To do this, you’ll need to be employed in an electrical workplace.
We accept a wide range of international and New Zealand qualifications, including City & Guilds, N3–N6 (South Africa), Certificate III (Australia), electrical/electronics diplomas, engineering degrees, military technical training, IMC qualifications, and automation/mechatronics qualifications. You can submit your documentation in Step 1 for confirmation.
Step 1 (Initial Evaluation) costs $230 incl. GST.
Step 2 costs vary depending on the number of credits you’re assessed against, ranging from $1,199–$5,999 incl. GST across six credit bands. After applying, you’ll receive a secure payment link, or you may request an invoice if preferred.
If you’ve checked your eligibility and gathered your evidence, you’re ready to begin the Electrical RCC application. Completing the online form lets our team review your background, confirm your fit for the programme, and guide you through the next steps. Start your application below and we’ll support you through the full assessment process.
Fill out the form and our team will be in touch to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you take the next step in growing your workforce.
0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT)
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm
If you’re overseas, please phone
+64 09 9051748
supportel@waiouru.earnlearn.ac.nz
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