3581 Inspectors of standards and regulations

In short

• ONS unit group 3581, in minor group 358 (Regulatory associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £34,400 (£17.64 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £30,000 (£15.38 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Inspectors of standards and regulations undertake investigations and inspections to verify and ensure compliance with acts, regulations and other requirements in respect of: buildings, weights, measures and trade descriptions; the installation and safety of electrical, gas and water supplies and equipment; marine pollution, ships’ structures, equipment and accommodation; the treatment of animals; the operation of commercial vehicles; the welfare, health and safety in factories and all work sites subject to the provisions in the Factory Acts.

Typical entry routes

Entrants usually possess A levels/H grades, a degree or equivalent qualification, together with experience gained in employment. Professional qualifications, membership of professional bodies, postgraduate diplomas and NVQs/ SVQs at levels 3 and 4 are available and may be required in some occupations. On-the-job training is available in some areas.

Tasks

• examines building plans to ensure compliance with local, statutory and other requirements
• inspects building structures, facilities and sites to determine suitability for habitation, compliance with regulations and for insurance purposes
• inspects measuring and similar equipment in factories and visits street traders, shops, garages and other premises to check scales, weights and measuring equipment
• inspects factories and other work sites to ensure adequate cleanliness, temperature, lighting and ventilation, checks for fire hazards and inspects storage and handling arrangements of dangerous materials
• visits sites during construction and inspects completed installations of electricity, gas or water supply
• draws attention to any irregularities or infringements of regulations and advises on ways of rectifying them
• investigates industrial accidents or any complaints made by the public
• verifies the weight of commercial vehicles, checks driver’s licence and hours worked
• samples and tests river water, checks and advises on premises discharging effluent to prevent pollution
• checks fishing licences and prevents illegal fishing
• visits premises where animals are kept, advises on animal care and investigates complaints
• undertakes other inspections including chemicals, drugs, flight operations, etc.
• prepares reports and recommendations on all inspections made and recommends legal action where necessary

Related job titles

• Building inspector
• Driving examiner
• Housing inspector
• Meat hygiene inspector
• Trading standards officer

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3581 Inspectors of standards and regulations

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Animal health inspectors and officers
• Building control officers
• Driving examiners
• Health and safety inspectors
• Housing and planning inspectors
• Licensing officers
• Meat hygiene inspectors
• Nuclear safety inspectors
• Trading standards officers
• Traffic and vehicle examiners and inspectors
• Inspectors of standards and regulations not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£34,400 (£17.64 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3581 Inspectors of standards and regulations

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3565

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Animal health inspectors and officers
• Building control officers
• Driving examiners
• Health and safety inspectors
• Housing and planning inspectors
• Licensing officers
• Meat hygiene inspectors
• Nuclear safety inspectors
• Trading standards officers
• Traffic and vehicle examiners and inspectors
• Inspectors of standards and regulations not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£30,000 (£15.38 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 358

• 3582 Health and safety managers and officers

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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