The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation decides on the admission of persons with non-Swiss educational qualifications to the NIV 15 examination. Interested parties must contact the State Secretariat directly in order to obtain a level confirmation or certificate of equivalence, which must be submitted to the ESTI (Swiss Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations) before registering for the examination.

A total of eight examinations must be taken for the NIV 15 follow-up permit, either practical, or practical/oral, or oral and written for each part of the examination. Each examination lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, all examinations together take three hours.

A preparatory course for the NIV 15 connection permit includes acquiring knowledge and skills relating to the basics of electronics, standards and regulations on high- and low-voltage current ordinances, low-voltage installation ordinances, electricity laws, low-voltage electrical product ordinances, low-voltage installation standards (NIN), installation materials and equipment, safety devices and connection types, measurement technology, handling electricity including personal safety, occupational safety, maintenance and fire protection. For comprehensive information on the detailed content of continuing education, further training, please contact the relevant training institution directly using our contact form.

The examination for the connection permit in accordance with Art. NIV 15 at the ESTI requires a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (AFPE) as a service technician for heating, plumbing, refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning, or a Federal VET Diploma in a technical trade, or a Federal Professional Examination as a janitor, installation specialist or Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) as a janitor. In addition, at least three years of relevant professional experience and at least 42 lessons in electrical engineering with a qualified instructor must be demonstrated.

After attending all the mandatory lessons, you will receive a course certificate which will enable you to take the examination of the Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (ESTI). If you pass the exam, you will receive the "Connection permit in accordance with Art. 15 of the Ordinance on Low-Voltage Electrical Installations (NIV)", which authorizes you to connect and replace permanently connected electrical products, but not to work on the supply lines.