Looking for exam prep course in my area (NC)

[Charlie Jay]

Does anyone know where I can find out about exam prep courses in my area of central NC? I would like to take a course in person to get ready for taking the NC Unlimited exam. I currently hold a limited and have googled for courses and even checked at the State Boards website but haven't had any real luck.

I do intend to purchase prep tests and courses to do at home but also want to take an in person course. I want to pass this thing the first time.

Maybe I just dont know where to look (yet)? People have mentioned names to me but I can't seem to find any info on them. So if you do have any input for me, can you also provide a link or any other info?

Thank you.

CJ

 

[jwelectric]

The state of NC requires that all electrical inspectors take and pass a course at a community college before they are allowed to take the mandated test at the DOI.

There are three levels of inspection just as there are three levels of licenses for contractors. These three levels of inspection walk hand in hand with the three levels of licenses.

Check with the community colleges in your area and see if they have anything available close to you.

Here is a link to Randolph Community College course schedules. Look for the title of building trades in the table of contents.
http://www.randolph.edu/continuinged/schedule.php

Stating on 9/13 a Level II course will start. It will run from 8AM to 5PM on Saturday and Sunday for two weekends for a total of 32 hours. At the end of the class there will be an 80 question test given with a time limit of 2 hours.

It has been my experiences that those who take these classes have a pass rate at the licensing board of about 80%.

Also keep in mind that if you decide to take the three levels of electrical inspector?s classes the total cost will be $180 or $60 each and you will have a total of 104 hours of nothing but pure code.

There are several other places that one could get one weekend (16) hours of code for 3 or 4 hundred dollars but in my personal opinion the community college is the way to go.

If I can do anything to help you achieve your goals please don?t hesitate to contact me.
In order to keep the moderators from removing my email address, please just send me a PM to which I will send you all my contact information.

 

[jwelectric]

Well it seems like the edit fuction has been removed so to post it another way

clich here to reach the link for RCC classes

 

[Charlie Jay]

Thanks guys.

I just found this one too http://www.jcrproductions.com/index.html
(this was the one someone told me about but they didn't know the website. they just told me jeff rodriguez).

Thanks a bunch!
:smile:

 

[Buck Parrish]

The state of NC requires that all electrical inspectors take and pass a course at a community college before they are allowed to take the mandated test at the DOI.

Their must be a loop hole . What about the inspectors that do every thing inspections.



Jeff Rodriegez is pretty popular in NC. He offers weekend prep courses.
Try googleing " NEC Code Made Simple"

 

[jwelectric]

Their must be a loop hole . What about the inspectors that do every thing inspections.



Jeff Rodriegez is pretty popular in NC. He offers weekend prep courses.
Try googleing " NEC Code Made Simple"

In NC some jurisdictions will have multi-trade inspectors such as Rowan County where one man does all five trades; building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and fire.
Other jurisdictions will have the inspectors doing less such as two or three and a few scattered will have the inspector doing only one trade.

Each field in which an inspector does an inspection will be required to pass a course at a community college that is taught by an instructor that has been certified by the Department of Insurance.

Each trade has three levels ie; Level I for up to 20,000 square feet, Level II for up to 60,000 square feet and then the Level III which is anything that can be built.

Code officials, just like all aspects of life, will have some that are good and some that are bad with only a few that excel in their fields.

Not wanting to take anything away from my little Spanish buddy and I will say that he does a fine job but again I ask, ?how much money are you willing to spend for the time you will get??

You can spend $350 for one weekend or you can spend $180 for 104 hours of nothing but NEC as well as being gauged on your progress by the last day test that is given.
One thing is for sure and certain. If you can?t pass the test given at the end of each class then you will have a very hard time passing any test given by the state.

On a side note; once one of the Inspector?s classes has been successfully completed and the test passed then the student is eligible to sit for an inspector?s certification test which none of the NEC weekend classes can achieve.

 

[Buck Parrish]

I have seen some inspectors with a little certificate on the wall. They must have taken the level one. Because this inparticular inspector didn't know the neutral and ground had to be isolated at the sub panel. etc...

 

[jwelectric]

I have seen some inspectors with a little certificate on the wall. They must have taken the level one. Because this inparticular inspector didn't know the neutral and ground had to be isolated at the sub panel. etc...

This is an ongoing battle that I am faced with for two weekends a month. I have inspector students that come in from all over the state for the electrical class that have been doing inspections for years in their field of expertise.

Take someone that has been a plumber all their life and decides to hang up the hassles of being in business for their self and pursues a career in the inspection department. He has been a plumbing inspector for the past three or four years when the tight budget mandates that his department have him cross trained to do multi-trade inspections. He decides to try out the electrical class.

It is easy to get him to understand that PVC conduit can not be used for waste water but it is hard to get him to understand why CPVC can?t be used to install conductors.
This is a simple case of cross training a plumber but as you mentioned it can be very scary knowing that a student missed every question about overcurrent but still made 70 on their test which is all that is needed.

Back to the original post concerning the code prep class.
I highly recommend Jeff as he is one of the best in NC. The one thing that I always point out is that for $395 you get 16 hours of classroom with Jeff but at the community college you can get 104 hours for $180 and by an instructor that carries state credentials.
You do the math as see where you would like to spend your money.

 

[Brady Electric]

Looking for exam prep course in my area N.C.

Looking for exam prep course in my area N.C.

I live in N.C.
I have seen good information on Mike Holt's Site and JADE LEARNING, check these out. Both are respected in the industry.
There use to be a man by the name of Jeff Rodriguez who used to help give the N.C. exam but went into business for himself teaching the code, check him out.
Semper Fi Buddy

 

[acwservices]

If your goal is to pass the NC unlimited exam, then JCR Productions is definitely the way to go. As JWelectric stated, you will get 16 hours of exactly what you need to pass the unlimited exam. Why would you want to sit in a class for 104 hours, when you can get it in 16? I attended Jeff's seminar when I upgraded my NC license from limited to unlimited, and I would highly recommend him to anyone. I would be very hestitant on wasting my time with a local community college course on the NEC. If you would like to talk with me concerning Jeff's class, feel free to pm me.

 

[jwelectric]

Why would you want to sit in a class for 104 hours, when you can get it in 16?

This is a simple answer, no one would want to sit in 104 hours when they can get what they need in 16 but this leaves another question open.
How many can get what they need in 16 hours?

I have been teaching these classes for eight years now and one thing is for sure and certain. I see people who have done these weekend classes time and time again. I have had students that have been through Jeff?s class as well as others class and have even sent students to Jeff as well as others.

The question becomes just what does each individual need. Can they achieve what they need in one weekend or are they one of them that need more in depth class with twice as many hours.

As well as the class that Jeff teaches there is another class that is taught by Terry Cromer as can be seen here (electrical instructor.com)
Each of these guys does a very good job and I recommend each of then but I also recommend the Inspector?s classes for those who feel that they must have a more in depth study of the material that is covered.

 

[Charlie Jay]

Hi guys.
Today I signed up for the Rodriguez seminar in Raleigh for late September. It costs $395.00 for 2 full days, 7:30 - 6pm. It is an exam prep workshop. I also bought 500+ sample questions (and answers) for another $75.
:roll:
I'm psyched and already feel very confident.
Like I think I mentioned before, I currently have a limited NC license but want to upgrade to the Unlimited. I have always heard good things about Rodriguez and am glad I found his website. He goes by JCR Productions.

 

[blueheels2]

i am going to sign up for thatone as well Charlie.

 

[William1978]

On a side note; once one of the Inspector?s classes has been successfully completed and the test passed then the student is eligible to sit for an inspector?s certification test which none of the NEC weekend classes can achieve.
One thing also that jwelectric left out was that you have to attend a legal class also before you can take any test to become an inspector I,II or III.

 

[William1978]

On a side note; once one of the Inspector?s classes has been successfully completed and the test passed then the student is eligible to sit for an inspector?s certification test which none of the NEC weekend classes can achieve. [/QUOTE]



One thing also that jwelectric left out was that you have to attend a legal class also before you can take any test to become an inspector I,II or III.