Next steps: getting started as a heat pump installer
Updated 30 January 2025
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-training-grant-for-heat-pumps/next-steps-getting-started-as-a-heat-pump-installer
Congratulations on completing your training! This document provides some information which may help you get started as a Heat Pump Installer.
Competent Persons Schemes
If you received the Heat Training Grant, you should now have the training you need to join a Competent Persons Scheme.
Joining a scheme means you will be able to self-certify that your heat pump installations comply with building regulations (in England and Wales). This avoids the need for the heat pump to be inspected by building control.
If you are already a member of one of these schemes for another technology (for example for oil or solid fuels), you should check with them if you need to update your membership to include heat pumps.
| Company Name | Website | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| APHC | https://aphc.co.uk/certification-schemes/competent-person-scheme/ | 0121 711 5030 |
| (Certsure trading as) NICEIC | https://niceic.com/for-the-trades/professional-standards/schemes/competent-person-register/ | 0333 015 6625 |
| OFTEC | https://www.oftec.org/technicians/areas-of-registration/renewables-mcs-registration | 01473 626 298 |
| NAPIT | https://www.napit.org.uk/join-us/heating-membership/ | 0345 543 0330 |
Competent Person Schemes will also give you the option to add MCS certification to your membership.
Microgeneration Scheme (MCS)
MCS is a quality assurance scheme for small-scale renewable energy technologies, including heat pumps. MCS sets and maintains standards – for heat pumps these standards are MIS 3005-I for installation and MIS 3005-D for design – and provides consumer protections. Government Schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) require installers to be MCS certified.
How to become MCS certified
1. Choose a certification body: see the MCS list of certification bodies
2. Follow the certification body’s instructions to apply for the MCS scheme.
3. Provide all necessary paperwork, pay membership fees and pass required assessments to become MCS certified.
4. Once you’ve become MCS certified, your details will be registered onto the MCS installer database used by consumers to find MCS certified installers: Find An Installer - MCS
5. When you’re a certified installer, you will need to register your installations in the MCS Installations Database (MID), which comes at a fee.
For any questions and/or to learn more about the process, contact the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk on 0333 103 8130 or hello@mcscertified.com
Further support
Get a funded heat pump to install in your own home
Start at Home gives you hands-on experience of installing a heat pump in a low-pressure environment, by enabling you to install your first heat pump in your own home. This practical experience could help you build your confidence and credibility before installing for customers, so you can speak knowledgeably about the technology.
Start at Home schemes are run by heat pump manufacturers, suppliers and umbrella schemes. Through Start at Home, you can receive a heat pump plus support to install it in your own home, all funded through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. All Start at Home schemes include help with heat loss calculations, system design and commissioning. Some also offer extra perks, such as store credit or cash to cover additional equipment or labour time.
You can find a scheme that’s right for you here: Start at Home
MCS ‘Umbrella Schemes’
‘Umbrella schemes’ are operated by MCS certified installers who typically complete the design and commissioning of a new system but subcontract all, or elements of, the installation of the system. The installer operating the umbrella scheme is required to comply with MCS Standards and Scheme Requirements.
If you’re not yet ready to become MCS certified, working as a subcontractor to an MCS certified installer operating an umbrella scheme may be an option to consider. It could help you to assess demand within the sector, gain valuable experience and work towards achieving MCS certification for your own business.
You should consider the below factors when choosing an umbrella scheme operator to work with:
1. Check that the operator is an MCS certified installer via Find An Installer - MCS
2. The technology types that they offer are relevant to you
3. Where they are based in relation to your location, and what areas they operate in
4. Pricing structures and fees of working with the umbrella scheme operator
5. What training, guidance and technical support they can offer you for your chosen technology