The National Certificate in Electronic Engineering (Level 3) is an intermediate qualification for electronics technicians.

This qualification combines electronics theory with practical measurement, diagnostics, and industry generic skills, which provides a firm foundation for practical employment and for the assimilation of specific product and system knowledge. The qualification leads to further on-job and off-job learning towards full technician status at Level 4 and beyond.

Holders of the qualification will have met the requirements of either the Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) or the Electrical Service Technician electrical registration classes which are covered by Elective 2.

The Electrical Workers Registration Board examinations are the only assessment tool for unit standards 27349, Demonstrate knowledge of theory and legislation for registration of electrical service technicians and 27350, Demonstrate knowledge of theory and legislation for registration of electrical appliance servicepersons (endorsed).

Holders of this qualification have demonstrated knowledge and skill in the following areas:
. mathematics and mechanics;
. soldering and de-soldering;
. electrical safe working practices;
. electrical circuit engineering principles;
. electrotechnology workshop fabrication skills;
. research in the electrotechnology industry;
. fault finding techniques;
. prevention of electrostatic damage;
. digital and analogue electronics;
. test equipment;
. first aid;
. signals and the transmission of information;
. microcontrollers and
. practical mathematics for electronics technicians.

The qualification has two elective sections. Elective 1 covers:
. battery testing and selection and charging;
. signals and the transmission of information;
. microcontrollers;
. soldering and de-soldering of surface mounted devices, terminals, and components, and printed circuit board repair.

Six credits can also be selected from the Electronics Technology domain on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

Elective 2 covers the specific theory and practical requirements for licensing classes to allow candidates to meet the requirements of either the Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) or the Electrical Service Technician registration classes. The common components of these two licensing classes are included in the compulsory section of the qualification. To meet the requirements of either of these licensing classes and the qualification, candidates are required to select at least one of Set C or Set D from Elective 2.

People with this Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) class of registration are permitted to:

a maintain appliances that have an electrical rating of not more than 250 volts that are supplied by plug and flexible cord;

b disconnect and connect appliances described in (a) above from a power supply where a plug or appliance connector is not fitted but the flexible cord is connected to a permanent connection unit;

c test work described in (a) and (b) above;

d certify work described in (a) and (b) above; and

e supervise any work described in (a) to (d) above.

People with this Electrical Service Technician class of registration are permitted to:

a carry out maintenance of fittings that are connected to conductors used in electrical works or installations;

b carry out maintenance of electrical appliances;

c disconnect and connect fittings and appliances from and to a power supply, other than by means of a plug or pin inserted into a socket, or an appliance connector inserted into an appliance inlet; for the purpose of the maintenance of those fittings;

d test work described (a) to (c) above;

e certify work described in (a) to (c) above; and

f supervise any work described in (a) to (e) above.

Candidates who have achieved credits towards the domain of Electronics Technology, which is the basis for the National Certificate in Electronics Technology (Level 3) [Ref: 1005], delivered in a number of high schools at Year 13, can use up to six credits towards Elective 1 Set B of this qualification.

This qualification may follow the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 0174], and lead to the National Certificate in Electronic Engineering (Level 4) [Ref: 1123], and the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering [112950]. Some of the credits from this qualification could also be used for the National Certificate in Electronic Manufacturing (Level 3) [Ref: 0434].