Re: LICENSING:
Is this Bill just introduced or has it become Law, awaiting an effectice date? I think that it is a good step, as I support statewide licensing By Examination. One thing I didn't see, is a requirement for continuing education for license renewal, did I read over it, or isn't there any requirement? I am not sold on the Electricians Recovery Fund. I don't like the surcharge.
Delaware has Statewide licensing by examination. It is a definate revenue resource for the state. Delaware, "The Home Of Tax-Free Shopping". Believe me, they make it up, alot of it through licensing. One drawback(and it seems as is Indiana's) is the way that it treats un-licensed person's. Sure there are laws against it, but the Electrical Board can do nothing other than turn a Formal written complaint by a license holder over to the Under-staffed Attorney General's Office whose lead time for an investigation is approximately 6 to 8 months. By then the person is long gone. And a Class A misdemeanor is a slap on the wrist fine that alot of people are willing to risk. Meanwhile, a licensed professional can be sanctioned or even have his license suspended or revoked, or be sued easier, etc.etc.
I like Cecil County, Maryland's approach. It's in there law, if you're caught doing work(or even representing yourself as a professional) without a license, The Electrical Board directly can(and will) have you arrested and fined.
JTB, no offense, 'cause I'm originally from PA, but they are in the dark ages. There are some places that are not(Philly. Pitts.), but at the state level there must be some good lobbyests that keep protesting a statewide electrical license. The new Adoption of the Uniform Building Code was a step into the middle ages, but they don't even have the local level knowledge or manpower to enforce it. My brother is a foreman for a large contractor in central PA. Most places after a service inspection ,there is nothing else required. I will agree with you that licensed or not, it comes down to the person doing the work. But when there is no enforcement, there is more room for trouble.