electrical licence

[Mike J]

how do i go about getting my electrical licence or cert. for pa I have 7 yrs exp. 4yrs. as a forman

 

[mdshunk]

how do i go about getting my electrical licence or cert. for pa I have 7 yrs exp. 4yrs. as a forman

There is no such thing in PA (my state too). Licenses, when required, are issued on a local basis. Some towns licenses reciprocate with one another, and some do not. Much of the state requires no license whatsoever.

It tickles me to hear guys who are applying for jobs with me say that they "have a state electrician's license". I know right off the bat that they're liars.

 

[justin]

State of Florida issues a State Certified Electrical Contractor's License and I would assume most others do as well, unless of couse you're refering to specfically a qualification as an "electrician".

 

[jeff43222]

It tickles me to hear guys who are applying for jobs with me say that they "have a state electrician's license". I know right off the bat that they're liars.

This could be a good source of fun. Do you ask for their license numbers, just to see how they react? "Umm ... I don't have it with me ..."

I carry my state master license and state EC license whenever I'm working in case someone challenges me. Rarely happens, but I like to be ready.

 

[dingokangaroo]

how do i go about getting my electrical licence or cert. for pa I have 7 yrs exp. 4yrs. as a forman

are you reffering to a journeymans card????

 

[Rockyd]

Mike,

Go to this link.

http://www.mikeholt.com/statelicense.php#PA

Mike has everything, for every state.

 

[milwaukeesteve]

In Wisconsin, one would apply, meet requirements for, and take a test for, to be a State Certified Master Electrician.
Master Electricians can then apply as Licensed Electrical Contractors.
Licensed Electrical Contractors can apply for individual community licenses to do work in those communities. A Master Electrician cannot just pull permits, unless the community specifically allows such. Heck, in some communities, the HomeOwner can pull their own Electrical Permits. (but that is only a small few)


If you want to be a PA certified Master Electrician, or equivalent, that would be your first step. Follow the link provided by Rokcyd.

 

[JohnE]

There is no such thing in PA (my state too). Licenses, when required, are issued on a local basis. Some towns licenses reciprocate with one another, and some do not. Much of the state requires no license whatsoever.

It tickles me to hear guys who are applying for jobs with me say that they "have a state electrician's license". I know right off the bat that they're liars.

You could have some fun with that by giving them a generous offer contingent upon viwing their license, or something along that line.

 

[jeff43222]

You could have some fun with that by giving them a generous offer contingent upon viwing their license, or something along that line.

I love it! Tell them you pay people with a "PA state electrician's license" $45/hour plus bennies, but only $6/hour with no bennies if they don't have one. You'll need to verify their "state license" first, of course.

 

[DaveTap]

I just did quick scan through Mike's list and only 6 states listed don't have state certification: IL, IN, IA, MO, NY, and PA.
The first 4 make me wonder what is it about the midwest?

I've always wondered if we're all (except Chicago and a few other cities) using the National Electrical Code... why is there no National license?

 

[jeff43222]

You should probably add WI to your list. Although the state does have certification, it's not a license. Licensing is done locally in WI, and the local authorities can set whatever standards to qualify for whichever license they say you have to have. There is one caveat: If you have state certification, you are automatically qualified for the corresponding license issued by the local AHJ.

Some WI localities have state certification as their sole qualification for their license, while others have multiple ways to qualify. Some places have no licensing at all. Last year I managed to acquire a master electrician license in one WI locality based on my MN state master license. The local chief inspector just decided on the spot to approve me.

 

[jeff43222]

I've always wondered if we're all (except Chicago and a few other cities) using the National Electrical Code... why is there no National license?

My guess is because there are very few national licenses that regulate trades or professions. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, pharmacists, nurses, etc. are all regulated at the state level. The feds do have a few limited licenses (e.g., prescribing medication, dealing in firearms), but I suspect the feds aren't interested in getting involved in regulating all trades and professions in this country.

As for electrical licensing, some states have very different schemes. One state might have separate licenses for commercial and residential work, for example. Probably the only thing that might work if all states adopted statewide licensing would be if the states then worked together to come up with a uniform exam and license. There was a cover article about this subject a few months ago in EC&M.

Even in a field like engineering, where there is a uniform national exam, each state still does licensing differently. Some states accept engineering technology degrees, while others don't. Some states require more experience than others before you can sit for the PE exam.

As long as states are the licensing authorities, there will be differences.