How to Check the Gas Safe Register — and Why You Must Do It

Gas Safe registration is not optional — it is a legal requirement. Every engineer who works on gas boilers, cookers, fires, or pipework in the UK must be on the Gas Safe Register. Unregistered gas work is illegal, dangerous, and invalidates your home insurance. As someone who has been on the register for years, I get asked regularly how to check up on an engineer. This guide gives you the full picture.

What Is the Gas Safe Register?

The Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI in 2009 as the official list of gas engineers who are qualified and licensed to work on gas appliances in the UK. It is backed by law under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Every gas engineer must be assessed and registered before they can legally carry out any gas work.

The register is maintained by LCCA Ltd under contract with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Checking it is free and takes under a minute. NK Gas Service & Repairs is registered under number 568305 — you are welcome to verify that at any time.

How to Check the Gas Safe Register

There are three ways to check:

1. Online Check (Quickest)

Go to gassaferegister.co.uk and use the "Find an engineer" or "Check an engineer" tool. Enter either the engineer's name or their Gas Safe licence number. The results will show whether they are currently registered, their company name, and the types of gas work they are qualified to carry out.

2. Call the Gas Safe Register

You can also call 0800 408 5500 (free from landlines). This is useful if you are not confident using the website or want to verify a card number verbally. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

3. Check the Engineer's ID Card on Arrival

Every Gas Safe registered engineer must carry a Gas Safe ID card. When they arrive at your door, ask to see it. Do not feel awkward about this — any legitimate engineer will expect it and be happy to show you. A genuine Gas Safe card will have:

• The Gas Safe flame logo on the front
• The engineer's photo, name, and registration number
• An expiry date (it needs to be renewed regularly)
• On the back: a list of the appliances and work they are qualified to do

That last point is important. An engineer might be Gas Safe registered for central heating boilers but not for cookers, for example. Always check the back of the card to confirm the type of work you need is listed. If it is not, they cannot legally do that work, regardless of their general registration.

What Happens If an Engineer Is Not Gas Safe Registered?

Using an unregistered gas engineer is illegal — for both the engineer and, in some circumstances, the homeowner who hired them knowing they were unregistered.

Beyond the legal risk, unregistered gas work carries serious safety consequences:

• Gas leaks — improper connections or fittings can allow gas to escape into your home
• Carbon monoxide poisoning — a boiler or fire installed incorrectly can produce CO without any visible warning signs
• Fires and explosions — the most severe outcome of unsafe gas work
• Voided home insurance — if a claim arises from unregistered gas work, most home insurance policies will not pay out
• Failed house sale — buyers' solicitors routinely ask for gas safety certificates and evidence of Gas Safe registration for work carried out

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Most gas engineer scams follow a recognisable pattern. Be wary of any engineer who:

• Cannot produce a Gas Safe card or becomes evasive when you ask
• Says their card is "in the van" or "at the office" — a legitimate engineer has it on them
• Quotes a price far below local rates (often a sign of untrained labour)
• Offers to do work without providing any paperwork, invoice, or Gas Safe notification
• Knocks unsolicited and says they have "spotted a problem" with your boiler or gas meter
• Asks to be paid entirely in cash with no receipt

If any of these apply, politely ask them to leave and book a registered engineer through a reputable source.

What Work Requires Gas Safe Registration?

Any work that involves connecting, installing, servicing, repairing, or disconnecting a gas appliance or fitting requires Gas Safe registration. This includes:

• Boiler installation, servicing, and repair
• Gas cooker and hob installation
• Gas fire installation and servicing
• Annual gas safety certificates (CP12)
• Gas pipework installation or alteration
• Gas meter work (in conjunction with your supplier)
• Gas leak detection and repair

Some very minor tasks — such as replacing a gas fire front or changing a battery in a gas thermostat — may not require registration, but if in doubt, always use a registered engineer. The cost saving from using an unregistered "handyman" is never worth the risk.

Frequently Asked Questions