NeSparky,
I totally agree that the quality of the work is directly tied to the integrity of the individual responsible for doing the work.
Minnesota has a "State Board of Electricity" that tests and keeps after licensing, bonding and insurance. By State law, no additional licenses, bond or insurance are allowed at the local level (city, county, municipality). Trade license (journeyman & master) renew every two years and contractor license renew on alternate years. The contractor license is simply bought but proof of a master's license tied to that contractor must be supplied each renewal.
Journeyman and master must take 16 hours of continuing education from a State Board of Electricity certified educator in order to renew every two years. A minimum of 12 of the 16 hours must be on the NEC each renewal.
Inspection is performed by State inspectors in areas (mostly rural) that do not provide local inspectors (mostly cities).
State law requires signage on the work vehicle, and you can't park at the job in a manner that hides the truck.
Homeowners of single family dwellings are allowed to pull their own permits with no proof of ability, however the inspector, after seeing the work can tell them to get a pro if it seems they don't have a clue, which means another permit that is from an outfit on the list of "the approved" at the State Board of Elec.
I've seen handyman services that started with a list of abilities printed on the side of their truck where the list developes blank spaces as they get nailed for advertising plumbing, electrical, etc.
The State Board of E. includes in their newsletters the names, addresses, charges and judgements of those nailed since the last issue.
With all of this buearacracy, which I think does a darn good job of leveling the playing field and simplifies my day to day going from area to area, there is still a healthy supply of crappy work that I get to fix. I think of it as job security.
Al
