What CORGI was
CORGI stood for the Council for Registered Gas Installers (originally the Confederation for the Registration of Gas Installers). It was set up in 1970, after the 1968 gas explosion that partly collapsed the Ronan Point tower block in London.
From 1991 to 2009 it was the official, legally required register of gas engineers. If someone worked on your boiler, gas fire or cooker during those years, they had to be CORGI registered. That's why the name is still so familiar, and why many people still ask for a "CORGI registered engineer" today.
What replaced it
On 1 April 2009 the Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the official gas registration body in England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Northern Ireland and Guernsey followed on 1 April 2010.
Gas Safe Register is run on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Since 2009, CORGI registration has not been a legal qualification to do gas work.
| CORGI | Gas Safe Register | |
|---|---|---|
| Official register in Great Britain | 1991 – March 2009 | April 2009 – today |
| Can legally approve an engineer for gas work today? | No | Yes |
| What to look for | — | Yellow Gas Safe logo and a photo ID card with a licence number |
What "CORGI registered" means today
You'll still see the phrase in adverts, on vans and in conversation. In practice it usually means one of three things:
- It's just habit. Plenty of engineers and customers still say "CORGI" when they mean "Gas Safe". That's harmless, as long as the engineer really is on the Gas Safe Register.
- The advert is out of date. A business still advertising itself as "CORGI registered" hasn't updated its marketing in over 15 years. Check its Gas Safe registration before you book.
- It's a brand, not a registration. The CORGI name is now used by some commercial businesses, such as boiler cover plans. These are not a gas safety register, and they don't tell you whether an individual engineer is qualified.
Old paperwork mentioning CORGI is fine. If your boiler was fitted before April 2009, its installation certificate will show a CORGI number. That's normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong.
Why it matters
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, anyone who works on gas appliances in your home as part of a business must be on the Gas Safe Register and qualified for that type of work.
Badly fitted or poorly maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas Safe registration means the engineer has shown they're competent for that kind of work.
Registration also matters for paperwork. When a Gas Safe engineer fits a new boiler, they can register it under Building Regulations for you, and you should receive a compliance certificate. You'll want that when you sell your home.
How to check an engineer is Gas Safe registered
- Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card. It has their photo, a seven-digit licence number, and dates. The back lists the types of gas work they're qualified for. Check it covers what you need, for example "domestic boilers" for a boiler swap.
- Check the licence number on the Gas Safe Register website ("Check an engineer"), or call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.
- Or check by text. Text "Gas" followed by the seven-digit licence number to 85080.
- Check the business, not just the person. The engineer who turns up should be the one you checked, and should be registered with the business you're paying.
A genuine engineer will be happy to show their card. If someone won't, or the details don't match, don't let them start work.
Get a fixed quote
One local Gas Safe installer, chosen for your postcode. Free and no obligation.
Is CORGI the same as Gas Safe?
No. CORGI was the official register until March 2009. The Gas Safe Register replaced it, and only Gas Safe registration is legally recognised for gas work today.
Is it illegal to use an engineer who is only CORGI registered?
It's illegal for anyone to do gas work in your home as a business unless they're on the Gas Safe Register. CORGI registration alone doesn't meet that requirement. Most engineers who were CORGI registered moved over to Gas Safe in 2009, so check their Gas Safe ID.
My boiler certificate says CORGI. Is that a problem?
No. Boilers installed before April 2009 were certified by CORGI-registered engineers, so older paperwork will show a CORGI number. Make sure any servicing or repairs from now on are done by a Gas Safe engineer.
Do I need a Gas Safe engineer for a boiler service?
Yes. Servicing, repairs and installation of gas boilers must all be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer qualified for that type of appliance.
What should I do if I think someone isn't registered?
Don't let them work on your gas appliances. You can report illegal gas work to the Gas Safe Register. If you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 straight away.
Get quotes from Gas Safe registered engineers
Every installer we pass enquiries to is Gas Safe registered, and we check their licence number before we work with them.