PA Permits

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jazer

Senior Member
Location
Gibsonia, Pa
What do I need to do as a Non-Journeyman Electrician in the State of Pa to be legally allowed to pull permits and work in people's homes? I am by no means a hack or amateur. I have eleven solid years of wiring experience in commercial (primarily) residential and industrial applications. I am not interested in working in the city limits due to the known requirements to obtain a license (not that I am scared or anything, I just know I don't meet the requirements.) Any advice and/or direction would be much appreciated.
Thank You
Carl
 
mikeames

mikeames

Senior Member
Location
Gaithersburg MD
Occupation
Teacher - Master Electrician - 2017 NEC
I grew up in PA and got started there in high school. Differen parts of PA have different requirements.... As you already said. The cities have their own requiremnts but outside of them its more or less open. It nice in some regard and ashame in others. In the poconos all you need to do is file (permit) and then pass inspection and your good. What was bad for me was when I moved to MD my PA experience didnt get me anywhere in terms of a masters even though I learned a lot of my residential skills there wiring 3500 sq ft houses in a day with 10 men start to finish service an all.
 
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jazer

Senior Member
Location
Gibsonia, Pa
From what I gather, it seems as of July '09 a "registered" electrician is the only one who can be on building permits. I do not know the validity and or accuracy of this subject, just what I have heard and found on the state website, which is not very clear on the requirements. Should I take the city "Masters" test anyhow? I know it won't get me a "license" but could it help me with permits outside the city?
Thanks again
 
S

sweetcav

Member
Location
Central Pa
Being a registered contractor is only sending in 50 dollars and showing proof of insurance, it has nothing to do with ability or testing. It is a home improvement registration that has to be displayed on anything that is considered addvertising.
 
J

jazer

Senior Member
Location
Gibsonia, Pa
sweetcav said:
Being a registered contractor is only sending in 50 dollars and showing proof of insurance, it has nothing to do with ability or testing. It is a home improvement registration that has to be displayed on anything that is considered addvertising.
Click to expand...

Where would I send this fifty dollars? Some links or contacts would be great.
Thank you.
 
Len

Len

Senior Member
Location
Bucks County
PA Electrician

PA Electrician

If you are doing work resi. you must first have your pa contractor registration. (this is not a license).
Philadelphia requires a master electrical license. Suburbs vary. Some just require you register with them. some require PA master electrical cert. ( This is the PA master electrician test).
Example.
Pottstown, if you do not have pa cert you cannot do electrical work there.
Cheltenham has their own test but you must have master electrician license somewhere else or you cannot take their test and work there.
you just have to call each township and ask.
 
J

jazer

Senior Member
Location
Gibsonia, Pa
Len said:
If you are doing work resi. you must first have your pa contractor registration. (this is not a license).
Philadelphia requires a master electrical license. Suburbs vary. Some just require you register with them. some require PA master electrical cert. ( This is the PA master electrician test).
Example.
Pottstown, if you do not have pa cert you cannot do electrical work there.
Cheltenham has their own test but you must have master electrician license somewhere else or you cannot take their test and work there.
you just have to call each township and ask.
Click to expand...
thank you for sharing your experience, much appreciated. This state has so many grey areas. I wish they would make it universal.
 
R

realolman

Senior Member
Len said:
.....Philadelphia requires a master electrical license. Suburbs vary. Some just require you register with them. some require PA master electrical cert. ( This is the PA master electrician test). .....
.
Click to expand...


Who administers this? Who certifies master electricians in PA?
 
Nium

Nium

Senior Member
Location
Bethlehem, PA
PA is different

PA is different

Here's what I know about PA electrical licensing requirements.

There is no state electrician license. Each city determines whether or not they will require an electrician's license to pull permits or not. Some cities require a business license in addition to an electrician's license. Usually to pull a permit in a city which requires an electrician's license to pull a permit you will need at least the licensing classification of Master Electrician. Some cities will honor other cities electrician licenses others won't. Each city that requires electrician licensing administers their own licensing tests to obtain said license.

As of July 2009 the Attorney General of Pennsylvania requires all businesses offering residential contracting to be registered with the AG. You don't need a license in anything to register just proof of insurance. To register check in at the Attorney General of Pennsylvania web site, if you haven't already, I think someone posted the link previously.

So as it is you are gonna have to check in at City Hall or the Town Hall to figure out what is or isn't needed to perform electrical contracting work within their borders.
 
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