Check the card, then check the register
Every engineer who does gas work for money in Great Britain must be on the Gas Safe Register by law. To check one, ask to see their Gas Safe ID card, read both sides, then look up their licence number on the official register at gassaferegister.co.uk. It takes about two minutes, and you can do it before they arrive or while they are on your doorstep.
The card proves who they are. The register proves the card is current. The back of the card, and the register entry, prove they are qualified for your particular job. You need all three.
Read the front of the card
The front of the ID card shows:
- A photo of the engineer. It should be the person standing in front of you, not a colleague or the boss.
- Their name.
- Their licence number. This is personal to the engineer.
- The business they work for, with its registration number.
- The start and expiry dates. An expired card is not valid.
- A security hologram, to make copies harder to pass off.
If the photo does not match, or the card looks altered or out of date, do not let the work start.
Read the back of the card
This is the part most people skip. The back of the card lists the categories of gas work the engineer is currently qualified to carry out. Gas Safe registration is not a blanket licence: an engineer can be registered for some appliances and not others.
| What you need done | What the back of the card should show |
|---|---|
| Boiler repair, service or replacement | Natural gas (or LPG, if that is your fuel) and central heating boilers |
| Gas hob or cooker fitting | Cookers |
| Gas fire installation or service | Gas fires |
| LPG boiler in a home off the gas grid | LPG, not just natural gas |
| Gas meter work | Meters |
| Landlord gas safety check (CP12) | Every appliance type in the property |
The wording on the card can differ slightly from this table, but the meaning should be clear. If your job is not listed, that engineer should not do it.
Look them up on the register
Even a genuine-looking card can be out of date or borrowed. Go to gassaferegister.co.uk and use the search to find an engineer or business. Then:
- Enter the engineer’s licence number from the card, or search for the business.
- Check the name and photo match the person and the card.
- Check the registration is current.
- Check the qualifications listed include the work you need, matching the back of the card.
- Check the business named is the one you are paying.
You can also search the register by postcode to find registered businesses near you.
Do this check before the visit if you can. Ask for the engineer’s name and licence number when you book, look them up, and then match the card at the door. If a different engineer turns up on the day, check that person too. It is the individual’s registration and qualifications that matter, not only the company’s.
Signs to walk away
- They cannot or will not show the card.
- They say they are “working under” someone else’s registration.
- The card says natural gas but your home runs on LPG.
- They offer a cash discount to skip the paperwork.
- They suggest a new boiler does not need registering.
Every new gas boiler should be registered with the local building control body, which the Gas Safe engineer usually does on your behalf. If you never receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate after an install, ask the engineer, and contact the Gas Safe Register if they do not sort it.
After the work
On a repair or boiler service, you should get a written record of what was checked or replaced. If an engineer finds a dangerous appliance, they may turn it off and label it. That is a legal safety duty, and you can ask them to explain the fault in writing.
If you think gas work in your home was done by someone who was not registered, or was done unsafely, report it to the Gas Safe Register. If you smell gas at any time, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
How City Boiler fits in
City Boiler is not an installer and is not Gas Safe registered itself. We connect you with independent local engineers who are, and you can check each one in the way described above. For typical prices before anyone visits, see boiler repair cost, and if a big repair is on the table, read repair or replace your boiler. More on what a repair visit involves is on the boiler repair page.
Common questions
Does every gas engineer have to be Gas Safe registered?
Yes. In Great Britain, anyone carrying out gas work for payment must by law be on the Gas Safe Register. The same register also applies in Northern Ireland.
What do I check on the back of a Gas Safe card?
The back lists the types of gas work the engineer is qualified to do, such as natural gas or LPG and the appliances covered, for example boilers or cookers. Make sure your job is listed, because registration alone does not cover every type of work.
What if the engineer will not show me their card?
Do not let them start. A registered engineer carries the card and should be happy to show it. If someone refuses, or the details do not match the register, find another engineer and report your concern to the Gas Safe Register.
Is City Boiler Gas Safe registered?
No. City Boiler is not an installer and does not carry out gas work. We connect you with independent local engineers who are Gas Safe registered, and you can check each one using the steps on this page.