They have a wording problem with the rule, but you would need to go to court and even then you might lose. No one is going to say that you win on a technicality, except maybe a judge.
What you want isn't wrong - it just isn't legal. Some, like you, might argue that it's right. The problem that will arise is if you work on a job and there is a permit issue, the inspector can't tell whose issue it is.
You can get your employer to contract to you so you aren't an employee, but you lose UIC, Comp, holidays, Labour Standards Act, etc.
Maybe, find an old guy who is retired and hire him to get the license.
I'm not sure that it's worth the trouble to do electrical work on the side. People who hire part-time contractors usually want to save money and think a case of beer is payment enough; and, they don't tell you that until the job is done.
