EWA Entry Test

EAL Electrical Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding Tests (Entry for Experienced Worker Route) (Level 3 equivalent)

These EWA tests are exclusively for seasoned electricians who have substantial practical experience at around 10 years and acquired significant scientific knowledge over this period, to allow entry onto either one of the two Experienced Worker Assessment routes.

It’s for those who do not possess one of the minimum Level 2 qualifications listed in the Skills Scan, but possess and can demonstrate wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of electrical theory and its application to the role of a qualified electrician.

Download our Eligibility and Process infographic

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be accepted onto the test, you must meet the experience requirements detailed in the EWA Skills Scan.

The tests are not for new entrants to the electrotechnical industry, apprentices or other trainees, or those with limited ‘practising’ experience. They are for candidates with substantial practical work experience and substantial acquired knowledge across the range of activities set out in the applicable Skills Scan for their chosen route.

Who’s it suitable for?

Typically, candidates may be qualified supervisors or experienced workers with substantial work experience, typically over 10 years, who never formally completed a full L2 or L3 electrical theory qualification. The training provider will make a rounded judgement before they seek approval for you to sit one of the tests.

Who’s it not suitable for?

This is not a short cut into the EWA. It is a Level 3 equivalent test and not suitable for learners with experience limited in scope or duration.

Test Location and Dates

You will need to physically attend one of the EAL training centres that are approved to deliver the test. Each test is 100 minutes in duration and comprises 50 questions. You only need to take the one test that is applicable to your chosen route.

The test is only available over a scheduled three-week assessment window, four times a year. You will need to sit the test, and any re-sits, within your given three-week window. Your training provider will be able to explain more about this.

The tests are delivered in the same secure manner as a regulated qualification.

Candidate Journey

You can also download our Eligibility and Process infographic to understand the candidate journey.

1) The first step is to ensure you are eligible for the EWA. Review the experience requirements and check you will be able to generate the workplace evidence within the 18 month timescale. Use the Skills Scan for your chosen route to do this: Installation/Maintenance Electrician or Domestic Electrician.

2) If you feel you’re eligible, review the Test Coverage information to confirm you have all the underpinning knowledge required for the test. Remember, the information you provide will be verified by the training provider.

3) Next, select a training provider who is authorised to deliver the test and complete the EWA Skills Scan and Candidate Background Form.

4) Your training provider will validate your eligibility for the EWA Entry Test. If they believe you are suitable to take the test, they will submit the Overview & Candidate Application Form to TESP for approval.

5) Once TESP has approved the candidate application, a test date can be booked. The tests are run within a quarterly scheduled window – the dates will be confirmed by your chosen training provider.

6) Once you have passed the chosen Entry Test, you can proceed to full EWA registration. You will have a maximum of six months from passing the test to enrol on the EWA.

Please note: If the test is failed, only two re-sits are permitted, and they must be taken within the same test window as the original sitting. If these are failed, the candidate is not permitted to re-register for either test for 12 months.

Progression onto the Experienced Worker Assessment

After successfully completing the Electrical Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding Test for your chosen route, you must them enrol on the relevant Experienced Worker Qualification within six months.

If you wish, you can enrol on the full EWA with a different training provider from the one you sat the Entry Test with.

Find out more

The EWA Entry Tests are available from selected EAL centres.

Also take a look at our FAQ page under the EWA Entry Test category for more information

General Information for Centres

The EWA Entry Tests are not a course of study and do not have GLH or TQT allocated. They are intended to provide a robust alternative for selected learners who meet the requirement to avoid having to pay for a Level 2 qualification to gain entry to the EWA. Learners may need to prepare for the exam, and as part of that, they can take the practice test to ensure they are prepared.

EAL and TESP will closely monitor the details of any revision/preparation activity. The test is a ‘non-regulated’ qualification, enabling it to be ringfenced to specific centres. This will enable monitoring of performance and uptake and provide tight control to maintain the integrity of the EWA.

Please see the EAL qualification manual for full details and specification.

If you are an EAL centre wishing to deliver the test please contact EAL directly.