How To Become A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) In Singapore?

1) What Is A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)?

A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) is a professional who has been officially certified by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) to perform or supervise electrical work in Singapore. The EMA is a Singapore government agency.

Their expertise is applied across a vast spectrum of environments, from residential settings like HDB flats to large-scale industrial and commercial buildings. The term “electrical work” is broad and legally defined, covering everything from installing new wiring and power points to repairing distribution boards and testing entire electrical systems. Essentially, any task that goes beyond simply plugging in an appliance must be handled by, or under the supervision of, an LEW.

2) Why Become A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)?

Legal Compliance

The Electricity Act makes it an offense for an individual to perform electrical work without a valid license. It is also illegal for a homeowner, business, or contractor to knowingly engage an unlicensed person for such tasks.

The penalties for violating these laws are severe, including fines that can reach up to $10,000 and even imprisonment for up to three years.

Quality Assurance & Accountability

An EMA license is a testament to a contractor’s technical competence. Licensed workers are held accountable for their work and are legally obligated to adhere to national standards.

Upon completing significant electrical work, an LEW must issue a Certificate of Compliance (COC), a formal document submitted to the EMA that confirms the installation was performed by a qualified professional, has been tested, and is safe to operate. This creates a clear chain of responsibility and a formal record of safety and regulatory adherence.

3) The 3 Tiers Of LEW Licenses

While “LEW” is used as a general term, there are actually three classes of LEW licenses, each with different scopes of work and eligibility criteria:

A. Electrician

Authorized to work on installations with an approved load not exceeding 45 kVA and an operating voltage of 1,000 volts and below.

Scope. This license covers the vast majority of electrical needs in residential and small-scale commercial settings. This includes all standard electrical work within HDB flats and condominiums, such as full house rewiring, installing or replacing Distribution Boards (DB boxes), and adding new lighting or power points. They are the go-to professionals for homeowners and small business owners.

B. Electrical Technician

Authorized to work on more complex installations, with an approved load not exceeding 150 kVA (design) or 500 kVA (operation), and an operating voltage of 1,000 volts and below.

Scope. This license is essential for projects that exceed the capacity of a standard electrician. Technicians are commonly engaged for larger commercial establishments, such as restaurants and food courts, mid-sized office buildings, and retail outlets, where the electrical load and system complexity are significantly higher

C. Electrical Engineer

Authorized to work on any electrical installation, with no limit on approved load or voltage level, subject to the conditions of the license.

Scope. These professionals are indispensable for the most critical and large-scale projects in the country. Their work involves overseeing the entire lifecycle of complex electrical systems in environments like industrial manufacturing plants, high-capacity data centers, power generation facilities, and major high-rise commercial towers.

They are responsible for endorsing official engineering drawings, liaising with power grid authorities, and ensuring compliance on the most complex installations.

4) Eligibility Requirements Of Becoming A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)

A. For An Electrician’s Licence

You must satisfy one of the following conditions:

Condition 1

  • Possess a relevant National Institute of Technical Education (NITE) Certificate
  • At least 2 years of practical experience in Singapore

Condition 2

  • Have at least 10 years of practical experience in Singapore

Condition 3

B. For An Electrical Technician’s Licence

You must satisfy one of the following conditions:

Condition 1

  • Possess a diploma majoring in electrical power engineering
  • At least 2 years of practical experience in Singapore.

Condition 2

  • Possess a diploma majoring in electrical power engineering
  • At least 1 year of practical experience in Singapore
  • Successfully completed EN033 Licensed Electrical Technician Preparatory Programme conducted by the Singapore Institute of Power and Gas (SIPG).

Condition 3

  • Hold an electrician’s license
  • At least 5 years of practical experience in Singapore from the date the license was issued
  • Successfully completed EN033 Licensed Electrical Technician Preparatory Programme.

C. For An Electrical Engineer’s Licence

You must satisfy all of the following conditions:

  • At least 2 years of post-graduate experience in Singapore in electrical power engineering.

5) Pass The Written and Practical Assessments To Become A LEW

After meeting the initial requirements, you must pass the assessments administered by EMA. The type of assessment depends on the class of license you are applying for.

Written Assessment

A multiple-choice and structured question test covering domestic and industrial installations, the Electricity Act and Regulations, and electrical drawings and designs.

Practical Test And Technical Assessment Interview

If you pass the written assessment, you will proceed to a practical test and a technical interview to demonstrate your hands-on skills and knowledge

6) Pay The Fees

After your application is approved and you have passed the assessments, you will be notified to pay the license fee.

Application Fee (non-refundable): $50 for all three license tiers.

Licence Fee:

  • Licensed Electrician: $60.
  • Licensed Electrical Technician: $60.
  • Licensed Electrical Engineer: $80.

Start your application to become a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) via the EMA website.

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