California Certification Requirements

[Sierrasparky]

I've been following this since the late 90's when Gray Davis and the unions started the drive to certify electricians. I am in favor of certification, because it lifts the competency level of our trade. But there have been a lot of shenanigans along the long 12+ year road to where we are now. Decertifying every non-union apprenticeship program (including the long established LA City College Program) for a period. Then a push to have the IBEW electricians not have to take the test (since they had all completed their apprenticeship programs---wait---a 60% + failure rate on the first round of testing for the IBEW guys?) And the still standing exemption that staff electricians (i.e. anyone who doesn't work for a C-10, which includes the maintenance electricians at the state capitol building, etc). What a bunch of manipulation. It applies to everyone, based on competency. I am distressed to see it recently change to less real world test questions because that is what is most important.

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You forgot to include that a electrician employed by a B general contractor building a home or a commercial build -out in most Jurisdictions can do all the electrical without being certified. This is a major loop hole. I knew of a instance where the General contractor supplied the workers and the C-10 contractor just supervised to keep cost down.