Frank, in my area you would need a permit and an inspection.
In reality I see this as a bad thing in that as a licensed contractor, I need to abide by the rules or put myself in jepardy and so permiting the work will cost the customer more.
This means the customer will me more inclined to do the work as a DIYer or have some unlicensed jack leg do it to save the cost of a permit.
As a licensed contractor, (this is a state license in my state) the contractor should be able to do projects to a limit with his own certification, this would probably mean more work installed by competent persons.
Roger
