How to check a gas engineer is registered
Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card, front and back, before any work starts. You can also check their 7-digit licence number online or by phone.
- A few quick questions
- No obligation
Anyone working on gas appliances, pipework, flues or meters for pay must be on the Gas Safe Register. Checking takes a couple of minutes, and it is worth doing before anyone touches your boiler.
How to check an engineer
Step 1
Ask to see their ID card
Ask before work starts. A Gas Safe Digital ID card on a phone is as valid as a physical card.
Step 2
Read the front
Look for a photo, start and expiry dates, a 7-digit licence number, a security hologram and the business name.
Step 3
Read the back
It lists the appliances and gas types the engineer is qualified for. Make sure boilers and your type of gas are there.
Step 4
Check the licence number
Use the online Check an Engineer tool, or call Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500.
Step 5
Scan the QR code on a digital card
A Gas Safe Digital ID card has a QR code you can scan to verify it.
What to look for on the card
- A photo that looks like the person at your door
- Start and expiry dates that cover today
- A 7-digit licence number that matches the register
- A security hologram
- The business name
- Your appliance, such as a boiler, listed on the back
- The right gas type, natural gas or LPG, listed on the back
Why the check matters
By law, gas work may only be carried out by a business that is a member of a class of persons approved by HSE. Pretending to be one is an offence.
Gas Safe Register keeps the register of businesses and engineers competent to do gas work in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey. It has done so under an agreement with HSE since 1 April 2009.
Checking an engineer
Do
- Check the card before work starts
- Look at both the front and the back
- Check the licence number online or by phone
- Report illegal gas work to Gas Safe Register
Don't
- Let anyone start without showing a card
- Accept a card that does not list your appliance
- Assume a business name alone proves anything
- Skip the check because they were recommended
Questions about gas engineer checks
Is a phone ID as good as a card?
Yes. A Gas Safe Digital ID card on a phone is as valid as a physical card, and it has a QR code you can scan to verify it.
How often are cards renewed?
Cards are renewed every year, so check the expiry date on the front. Engineers must also renew their qualifications every five years.
Who can I call to check a licence number?
Call Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500, or use the online Check an Engineer tool with the 7-digit licence number.
What if I think the work is illegal?
Stop the work and report it to Gas Safe Register. Do not use an appliance you think is unsafe.
Jobs like this
Example images of the style of work, not photos of our jobs.
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Where we work
Aylesbury and the areas around it. Every postcode listed is in our area.
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