ECN Forum
Posted By: Bill Addiss Who needs a License? - 12/18/00 04:43 PM
I would like the Input of everyone as to whether a License is required in their area for Electrical work, is it local?, statewide? Are their different classifications? It is confusing sometimes trying to understand what is required where and what they are called. I have some good sources of info on the subject but it is not always clear on some things:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/StateLicensing.htm
(Go to state and select "more info")


I will start:

NY - No state licensing. This is done at local level. County or smaller areas can have their own requirements.

I am on Long Island. Called "Licensed Master Electrician" has no restrictions except for doing Fire Alarm must have certification. Restricted licenses avaliable for HVAC & Plumbing personell allowing them to work within their own Equipment.
Posted By: gpowellpec Re: Who needs a License? - 12/18/00 05:44 PM
Bill, the Great State of Texas only licenses plumbers and maybe AC people. Some blame the reluctance of cities to give up their power base. Austin is the capitol. Houston is petrochem, shipping ,and other industrial. Dallas has some industrial, some marketing , some financial, some high tech. San Antonio is military. Fort Worth is Dallas's little brother. Dallas and Fort Worth wouldn't recip until the Supercollider was to be built in Dallas IBEW Local jurisdiction. Texas has what is called a "weak governor" form of government(what does that say about W's governing experience?) and no person, city, county or any other entity wants to give Austin any more power than they have to. Heck, the legislature only meets a couple of months every two years. But aside from my political commentary: each city administers licensing and some will give a contractors license to a person who has a journeymans license from any jurisdiction. If the state doesn't control licensing in some way, the small towns either don't bother with licensing or lock out anyone who is not in the family or social circle of the powers that be. There go my editorializing again.
Posted By: rmiell Re: Who needs a License? - 12/18/00 06:25 PM
Colorado licenses all phases of electrical work, except low voltage (50v or less). Apprentices are registered, and have to work under a journeyman or master (ratio 3 to 1). A master license is required to get a contractor's license, and a contractor's license is required to do any electrical work for hire. Homeowners can do their own on their primary residence, but no other (rental property, buildings open to the public, etc...)

There are certain other restrictions to the electrical licensing rules. Check out <www.dora.state.co.us/electrical> for more information.

Merry Christmas to all!

Rick Miell
Posted By: Scott35 Re: Who needs a License? - 12/18/00 07:46 PM
California licenses Electrical Contractors [C-10] and I believe it is required for any voltage [so Data/Comm and Alarm systems would be required to have a C-10].

Scott.
Posted By: sparky Re: Who needs a License? - 12/19/00 12:37 AM
Bill....I'm in Vermont, we have licensing...apprenticeships leading to journeyman, then a "Master Electricians License". Exactly when and where a license is required is a little fuzzy,and is somewhat abused... there is a legislative page on line for it...We have type "S" licenses for other trades that do specific electrical work only, as boiler wiring etc......in addition to this ,recently the state has come up with a variety of attachment licenses for particular work. For instance, I carry a "Fire Alarms TQP " on top of my masters. This in itself constitutes it's own continuing ed to maintain. TQP stands for , you guessed it.....Technically Qualified person! The state has also instituted annual inspections of certain electrical items....such as fire alarms. Units in the field get a sticker, like your car would...pass or fail. I couldn't believe all the dead zones , batteries, etc when they started the annuals.... To get a state sticker, one must have the TQP that applies to the particular need, be it fire alarms, emergency generators...etc.
Posted By: sparky66wv Re: Who needs a License? - 12/23/00 10:04 PM
Here in WV, we have the apprentice, journeyman, and masters license that is statewide issued by the state fire marshal. In addition is a contractor's license (for work in excess of $999.99 value) issued by the state labor board.
Other papers include high voltage, medium voltage, mining, etc. but I'm not familiar with these.
Posted By: aces custom installs Re: Who needs a License? - 12/27/00 08:51 AM
it is the same here in mini snow ta as colo pretty much with the low voltage aspect of it...i install car stereos and security etc and i dont need a license but i am going to be an authorized ADT dealer and you need an Alarm and Communications Contractors License (low volt lic) because it connects to the elec sys and/or cuz its networked into the phone system pretty complex i guess but so is that EMC stuff which sounds like something right on the edge of my field [Linked Image]
Posted By: Hal Re: Who needs a License? - 12/30/00 01:37 PM
In Michigan there are State wide licensing requirements for those who perform electrical work. This is a State law and licenses are normally issued through a State agency. There is a provision in the law for a community to examine and license on their own so long as the examinaton and licensing requirements are the same as the State requirements. There is the Journey license which requires a minimum of 8000 hours over a period of not less than 4 years experience in the type of work requiring a license and passing an examination. The Master license which requires an additional 4000 hours after obtaining the journey license, passing an examination and this time must be spent working as a journeyperson under a Master. Apprentice electricians are required to register and carry the registration card when on the job site. An electrical Contractors license may be obtained by being or having in your full time employ a Master Electrican, and passing the examination. There are also specialty licenses for Fire alarm installers and Sign electricians that have similar requirements as to time and passing an examination.
Posted By: Tom Re: Who needs a License? - 01/01/01 04:06 PM
I'd like to add the following to Sparky66wv's reply.

Licenses in WV are just a piece of paper that costs $50 a year. Approximately 1/3 of the licenses were grandfathered. As for those that took the test, it just means they know how to read. There is no continuing education requirement and the only way to lose your license that I know of is to fail to pay your $50.

I've heard that Florida doesn't license their electricians, but they do require a license to do someones hair. Any truth to this?
Posted By: cinkerf Re: Who needs a License? - 01/02/01 04:32 PM
ETS (Educational Testing Service) out of Princeton, New Jersey conducts Multi-State Electrical Examinations for Journeyman and Master level Electricians. Can anyone tell me how Nationally accepted this is?
(Frank) cinkerf
Posted By: rmiell Re: Who needs a License? - 01/03/01 02:44 AM
I believe that ETS is the State of Colorado approved testing agency for new license wanna-be's here in Colorado.

Rick Miell
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