Sponsored CEU classes

[kbsparky]

With the proliferation of more and more jurisdictions requiring continuing education these days, the thought comes to mind about fulfilling those requirements.

I get many flyers in the mail for code classes, but the cost is usually higher than the license renewal itself.

There was a time when one of my electric suppliers sponsored seminars at a reasonable cost to the electrician ($10-20). These seminars covered a bunch of different topics, were sometimes tied to specific manufacturers products, AND somehow were approved by the licensing boards for the renewal requirements.

Have any of you that are subject to continuing education requirements had any experience with sponsored classes, and what did you think of them?

 

[tom baker]

I have never heard of such a class out here. sometimes we'll see classes by organizations such as well drillers, most classes are by providers, who do this for a business.

 

[ptonsparky]

Nebraska requires 12 hrs of CED, 6 of which must be on the NEC. The other hours may be and have been provided by Mfgs and their local distributor. The program must be given the OK by the State Electrical Division prior to the class offering.

 

[kbsparky]

I think that Allen-Bradley sponsored one such class, pertaining to motor control centers, VFD's PLC's etc. It had enough good information in it that one of the local boards OK'd it as fulfilling the CEU requirements, I believe.

 

[jeff43222]

Last year I took a code changes / NFPA 70E class put on by the state contractors' association, and last week I took a grounding/bonding one given by another electrical association. Both courses were 16 hours and attended by about 50 people. I thought they were interesting and informative; the instructors were seasoned veterans who really knew their stuff. Cost was in the $250 range. My master license costs $80 for two years, and 16 hours is required to renew for each two-year term.

 

[starbright28]

MN requires that you have 16 hrs of continuing ed before renwing your lisence.

I just took a electrical seminar that goes through code and basically what the electrician's in the area are not doing well on. Big issues were grounding, services, special occupanicies, etc.

the seminar is over $200.

I also have taken an Exam Prep class that counts for Continuing Ed. That too is over $200.

While I think they should lower the costs a bit more, what can you do. You don't want the lisence to lasp.

 

[dcspector]

Yep! Amanda, I am in a class Thursday...CEU's....$400.00.... Education, books and a continental breakfast.........well, I will let you know. Thought I was going to say priceless did'nt Ya?

 

[kbsparky]

Amanda, are you required to have 16 hours every year? Or 2, or 3?

Most of the jurisdictions here are settling on 5 hours per year, with most renewals being every 2 years and proving 10 hours CEU.

AS for the cost, I tend to avoid the overpriced seminars, and tend to stick with the more locally oriented classes, which seem to be more reasonably priced. Sometimes, you can get into a class sponsored by a local contractors' association for reduced cost.

I put a bug into the ear of one of my suppliers, since our local county here has adopted the 5 hours per year requirement, and there will be more demand for courses to ensure compliance.

The trick now is to only take courses that are accepted by all the jurisdictions that require CEU: I now have 4 different licenses that require 5 hours per year. That can be a trick by itself. :grin:

 

[brian john]

Several of the jurisdictions require continuing education for masters; I feel that in the field electricians need this education more than most masters (though education does not hurt anyone). Most of the companies I deal with the masters are more businessmen than electricians; they have estimators and superintendents to handle all the electrical ?stuff?.

 

[bkludecke]

I joined the IAEI (International Assoc. of Electrical Inspectors) and have found that their seminars are just about the best bang for the buck going. I had been used to paying north of $300.00/day for quality training and the IAEI does it better for 1/3 of that. Find your local chapter and give them a try.

 

[stickboy1375]

I go every year for 8 hours, for my J-license, cost about $150, I have gone twice so far, both classes taught by the same woman, both classes IMO were useless... We only covered the NEC for about 3 hours, and the rest of the time was spent on covering the business and safety aspect of the trade... Don't forget I also have to pay $60.00 for my license renewal fee every year on top of that, plus required books for already $150.00 course... And I have to listen to repeat stories from this lady...