ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area State Licensing

master66

I am registered with the City of Pittsburgh as a certified electrician. Only certified electricians can apply for an electrical permit. The City enforces very strict rules concerning work done without a permit. The penalty ranges from a substantial fine to suspension of license.

The Department of Public Safety has a staff of nationally certified Electrical Inspectors that enforce B.O.C.A. and local codes as well as the NEC

Frank

IMO one of the 'electrical' agencies, groups or orginizations should take a bold step foward and advocate a national benchmark.
It would be a benifit to the trade as a whole if this were so.
Inasmuch as it is a free & democratic society in which anyone can perform a do-it-yerself labotomy, the creation of parameters on a national scale allowing electrical work to be done for others should be viewed as a preventive measure.

Frank,

Can you tell me what it takes to become a certified electrician in the city of Pittsburgh?

master66,

To qualifiy to sit for the difficult written examination you must first present a legal document (notarized) confirming that you worked for a registered electrical contractor for at least two years. Second you must present the legal paper work confirming that you attended and passed a State Certified Electrical Technical School for at least two years. The passing score of the written examination is 75%

Frank Cinker

Frank,
I heard that you either had to work for someone with a city license for two years, as you said. Or, have been in business for ten years. (This is my tenth year.)
Is this true?
And does two years in a vo-tech school count?

master66,

You are correct. Two years in Vo-Tech School does count.

Frank

master66,

Let me know if this link was of any help to you. http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/BBI/html/electrical_contractors_license.html

Frank

Master66,

I just posted a message about this same thing. Didn't see yours til now.
In Kansas you have to have three years experence under a master or journeyman, two of which can be bypassed by your local inspector if he so chooses, by proving you have military or the education back ground in the electrical field. Then you can take a test provided by Experior out of Alanta, GA. passing a 6 hour test 1 hr closed book, 2 hr open book, 3 hr closed calculations, based on the NEC. The masters is 3 more years with the field experence before you take its 6 hr state test. Both must be passed with a 75% or better grade and must be sponsered by a city inspector.
I think it should also have a test on the NEC changes every three years and some kind of Cont. Ed. for plant electricians or people that preform electrical work in such facilaties.
Just my thoughts, waiting for more info from my toic I started.
Dan

[This message has been edited by DLinton (edited 04-22-2002).]

Frank,

The link looks very helpful. Looks like about the same amount of hoops to jump through as thw West Virginia license.

Dan,

Kansas looks really tough. It's just hard to believe how that licensing requirement go from one extreme to the other. I'm just glad I'm not from Kansas!

Master66
Kansas is not that hard, at least I don't think so. It may take time to get a masters license (6 years) but, that is why I wanted to know other states requirements. I think it should be hard and you should have to re-test on the code changes every three years when the new code comes out. I just did not know how to get it passed in order for it happen state wide. I am not knocking any other trade. And I mean in no way to make them sound degrated. But when I finish an electrical job if not done right could kill someone ore burn down the building. Now saying that I know the heating and air guys why the gas and the plumbers with the hot water heaters can say the same. But it could happen to an electrician on every little or big job. And by allmeans I do not want to dicourage people comeing to Kansas to be an electrician. Thanks for anyone's input.
Dan