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What is MCS?

What is MCS certification and what does MCS mean for installers?

MCS certification means meeting the scheme standards through the right Certification Body, the right technical standard, and records that actually hold up when reviewed.

MCS says installers should start by choosing a Certification Body, learning the relevant standards, and demonstrating competency against MCS 001 plus the technology standard. That is the real starting point, not the sales pitch. · 3 min read

Guide

What MCS certification asks for before audit day

What strong looks like

Capture standards

  • Photos, measurements, and notes linked by purpose
  • Assumptions and exceptions called out in plain language
  • Evidence grouped so the next reviewer can follow it quickly
  • Portal delivery preserving one current version of each report
Where time is lost

Where teams lose time

  • Evidence stored across emails and fileshares
  • Unclear link between survey output and design decision
  • Inconsistent documentation quality across teams
Why it helps

Why teams use Vertex

  • One report the team can follow quickly
  • Fewer avoidable questions before design starts
  • Install teams start with clearer site context
  • One current version in the portal instead of mixed files
Related guides
MCS certificate guide MCS documentation guide What delays MCS sign-off? View sample report
Official reference points

What MCS says installers need to do first

Choose a Certification Body

MCS says installers wanting certification should start by identifying which Certification Body they want to join. Different bodies have different prices and timescales.

Know the standards

MCS says installers are assessed against the MCS 001 standard and the technical standard for the technologies they want to certify for, using the Standards and Tools Library as the core reference point.

Show competency

MCS says companies must demonstrate how they engage skilled, competent, and experienced people for the activities required under the scheme. That is wider than just buying software or collecting forms.

Sources checked on 17 April 2026: MCS becoming certified, MCS installer and manufacturer FAQs, and MCS Standards and Tools Library.