ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Qualifications?

Are electricians required to be licensed in the State of Pennsysvania? I was told that there are a few cities in Pennsylvaiia, like Philly that have licensing requirements. Are there other cities or can anyone do electrical work?

Does any one know how to search the records for those who have been caught without electrical permits on jobs?



[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 10-06-2001).]

Yes, I know how to check.
I checked something quite similar to what you describe a few months ago.

PA has no state licensing. Phila. has a 4 hour NEC-based exam with some theory. The test was administered (in 1990) by the National Assessment Institute, which, for some reason, I believe is now Experior( I could be wrong on that). The suburbs have, for the most part, no testing. That's right, pay the fee, pencil-whip the form, and you, joe-shmoe, are a licensed Electrical Contractor.

Joe,

Yes, Ive seen the Mass site that you talk about, We (ECN ) are even linked there (under Links).
A great resource for your state's residents.

>> visit site

Redsy,

Is it required to file at all?
Do they have Proof of Insurance requirements?

Bill:

Thanks for the direct link!

Here is a story I found there that should put a scare in anyone who is not properly licensed, qualified, or without a permit!

http://www.state.ma.us/reg/Consumer/press2001/el082001.htm

Redsy:

Thanks for that information!

Joe,

Pittsburgh Pennslyvania has licensing requirements.

Frank

Some good points here; http://www.iaei.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=nec&action=display&num=994556892

We are aware of the overall problem , so let me throw this out here....what would you consider a solution??

Ohio has been certifying electricians, once you get your State Certificate, you were allowed to work in the state as an electrician. This was suppose to take care of the ' illegal ' problem. But who was to enforce the law the Inspectors, that was highly unlikely, especially in my county, we have 3 licensed Inspectors and they are generally busier than a ' One-Armed paper hanger, so when are they supposed to be checking for Illegals. All the illegal needed was to have the home-owner pull the permit and as long as that person is the legitamate owner he/she can pull the permit.I have talked to the inspectors and they tell me that when an 80 year old woman comes in to pull a permit for a Service-Revamp, they know for sure that some illegal is going to be doing the work, so what can they do, reapportion their time to be out hunting down Illegals ? We as legal contractors are supposed to report any illegals, but here is the catch 22, the inspector has to catch them in the act of doing the service, once it is done and the home-owner calls for inspection, all the inspector can do at this point is ' gig ' the job, but it had better be a ligitimate ' gig', otherwise they are lible.
Anyways recently the State of Ohio has passed a new law that anyone that was State certified after September 21, 2001, that certificate will automatically become a State License, and after all this time for people to become state ccertified, the illegals are still given another chance to be grandfathered in to the state licensing program as they were 8 years ago to become state certified.
Now with the new State License, whereas before, with only a state ccertificate, we had to get a license in any county that we wanted to work, plus bonding and insurance, or any City as defined as a City, townships are governed by the county.
To obtain a ccertificate or now Liccense in the state of Ohio, you must pass a rigorous 8 hour test, on the Code, Ohsa, business, and electrical math. I suppose it could be tougher but the repeat rate is very high meaning that it has achieved a purpose, but regardless the illegals are still out there. I have found that 'laid-off' Ohio Edison lineman are notorious for selling their services as legitimate Electrical Contractors, but with little enforcement, or a law with no teeth it will be something we will have to put up with until someone builds a better mouse trap.
as defined as such.

Yes, a certificate of insurance is required. so, after the fire, if anyone survives, they can collect.