Yes — by law, anyone who installs, services, repairs, or inspects gas appliances in the UK must be on the Gas Safe Register. It's a criminal offence for anyone to carry out this work without being registered, and using an unregistered person puts your safety, your insurance, and your home at risk.
What Counts as "Gas Work"?
Gas Safe registration is legally required for work on:
- Boilers (installation, servicing, repair)
- Gas fires and gas central heating systems
- Gas cookers and hobs (if hard-plumbed, not just plugged in)
- Gas pipework
- Flues and chimneys connected to gas appliances
This applies whether the work is in your own home or a rental property — landlords have an additional legal duty to arrange an annual Gas Safety Check on all gas appliances they provide.
How to Check an Engineer's Gas Safe Registration
Every registered engineer carries a Gas Safe ID card, which shows:
- Their photo and registration number
- The specific categories of gas work they're qualified to do (not all engineers are qualified for every type of appliance — always check the card lists the specific job you need, e.g. boilers, or gas fires)
- An expiry date
Always ask to see this card before work begins. You can also verify anyone's registration for free using the Gas Safe Register's online checker — just search their name, registration number, or business name.
Why This Matters
Improperly installed or maintained gas appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, fires, or explosions. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it's colourless and odourless — many poisoning cases happen from equipment homeowners assumed was safe.
Using an unregistered installer can also:
- Invalidate your home insurance in the event of a gas-related incident
- Mean the work isn't compliant with Building Regulations, causing problems if you sell the property later
- Leave you with no legal recourse if something goes wrong, since unregistered work typically isn't covered by any warranty or professional indemnity insurance
What a Gas Safety Certificate Covers
After a boiler installation or annual service, a registered engineer should provide either a Gas Safety Record (commonly called a CP12, mainly used by landlords) or a service report confirming the appliance is working safely. Keep this documentation — you'll need it if you sell your home, and landlords are legally required to provide a copy to tenants within 28 days of a check.
Red Flags to Watch For
- An engineer who can't or won't show a Gas Safe ID card
- Prices that seem unusually low compared to other quotes (a common sign of unregistered or under-qualified work)
- No paperwork or certificate provided after the job
- Reluctance to answer questions about which specific categories they're registered for
Finding a Verified Gas Engineer
Every gas engineer on Compare My Builder has their credentials checked as part of our verification process, so you can browse and compare with confidence. Post your job for free and get matched with verified, Gas Safe registered engineers in your area.
Post your gas engineer job free →
Or browse verified gas engineers directly: Find Gas Engineers Near You →