Texas Electricians

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eastcreek

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List,

The state of Texas is currently accepting applications for the new statewide electrical licenses. (www.license.state.tx.us)

Anyone out there besides me having difficulty getting past employers/Master Electricians to sign the required Texas "Electrician Experience Verification Form" in order to attain the statewide Masters License? They are all concerned about "being libel". Anyone have a suggestion for me to continue my contractors license?

Eastcreek
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Most states, including here in Florida, require "experience verification" for application of a license. There is absolutely no liability on part of the person or entity that is providing this documentation. Every employer has scope of work that you performed or that was a part but not limited to your time and experience with the company.
The state is most concerned with actual time than exactly what you did with that time. I would request a statement or some sort of documentation from the state explaining the purpose of the form and how it effects, or in this case, not effect your previous employers. Good Luck! :)
 
Re: Texas Electricians

You should be able to use a copy of your past W2's.
Some employers will fill out your form, some will not, and some will for a Fee.
 
Re: Texas Electricians

brian,
here in florida requires little "verification" of past expieriance! i was shocked at the licensing office allowing "out of the country" electrical applications to accept writen lists of past employment without "any back up"!
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Charlie, you are correct, FL is very lax in their licensing requierments.

Roger
 
Re: Texas Electricians

I certainly wasn't suggesting that Florida has great licensing requirements. I instruct an apprenticeship program with the newly elected Vice-Chair of the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. He has notified me that the focus of the new board is to crack down on unlicensed activity, fraud, and explore the possibility of state licensing requirements. The state has improved greatly by eliminating the "Grandfathering", and by enforcing CEU requirments more stringently. :)
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Anyone have a suggestion for me to continue my contractors license?
Click to expand...
Explain continue.
Are you currently licensed or certified in any way? OR are you trying to get certificates of experience to submitt to the State so that you can qualify to take your test to become licensed contractor.
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Eastcreek, yes Texas went to a statewide license. I truly wished that the state would have required everyone to retest to get the license, this would have been the fair method to start this off. What people do not realize is that it was almost statewide before with the ICC test. All you had to do was pass that test and you could get a license in over 200 cities across the state.The only problem was a few other cities who had a different tests and the license fees. Now the state has taken over and will give a license to just about anyone who says that they have 6 years experience. If you live in a one horse town that does not have a license program they will let you have one based on your experience only !. The way I look at it if you have been in the trade over 10 years and have not taken a test of any kind then you have never been serious about your craft.
I have signed several employment verification forms lately. Some of these were good people who deserved a license. Some of these were people who now have a license that have not a clue on how to truly be an electrician. Yet, the state needs the revenue so they give out a license. Now these people who never took a test but now own a license are going to say they deserve " Top Pay " for being an electrician. Our industry is in for a bumpy road ahead, the state tells us things will " weed out " in time. So all of the contractors out there who can absorb this " weeding out " for about a 10 year period, you will be ok. I honestly do not know of any contractors who can absorb 10 years of losses. All we can do as contractors is perform as well as we can, be fair but professional and above all do quality work. In the end maybe the consumer will appreciate the effort.
 
Re: Texas Electricians

I heard a story once about a secretary that passed a journeyman exam witout any formal education, training, or experience. Her job was to register and assist instructors at exam prep seminars. After a few years of this, she knew exactly how to pass an exam, and exactly what would be on it. Basically, she didn't know what it was she was doing, just how to do it.

I can't verify if the story is actually true or not, but it proves a point. I have known very good electricians that cannot and will not ever be able to pass an exam. I also know licensed electricians that are responsible for other employees and entire jobsites with absolutely no clue of what they are doing. They could pass an exam however.

There is just simply no way to be fair to everyone, all the time, and in every way. :(
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Bryan, I have heard of a similar story.

This is a perfect example of needing strong qualification requirements. An applicant for the city Jman card here must have 8000 hrs to qualify, the state unlimited contractors license requires 14000 hrs, the intermediate 12000, and the limited 8000.

Even with this, there are some that must have somehow bought their licenses. :mad:

Roger
 
Re: Texas Electricians

I have a couple of questions and then some possible solutions.
(1)Do you hold a license from any where else. city
(2)What were the requirments for you to get the contractors license you now hold.

solutions
(1)Get a letter from the city you are licensed in
stating who you are what license you hold and for how long you held it.

(2)have a co worker fill out your form.


good luck from a Texas Master Electrician
 
Re: Texas Electricians

here is something that I posted in saftey about a week ago. I started a topic and only got one responce, maybe i'll get more in here.

I don't know if anybody has heard of Texas' new law concerning Electricans. For the first time, Texas is requiring liceseing by 09/01/2004. Now as part of their Grandfather clause people may test out their license. Texas has made many licenses availible includung one called the residential wireman.

Basicly my concern is that people can get a license who may not be really qualified to do work. Someone say like me. I could test out with the stuff I see on my jobs and learn in here and become licensed to install residental jobs.

What does anyone else think? Saftey? Wages for the Master Electrican? Insurance? Here is a link to the new Texas law so you can read the deffintions.

http://www.texascontractorslicensingservices.com/pdf/electricianslaw.pdf

[ April 20, 2004, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: ephesus56ad ]

--------------------
Al Thompson
General Contractor
Austin, Texas
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Hey Al,

I think it comes down to trust in the professional worker. Someone would have to be either nuts or completely desperate to obtain a license and begin work without proper qualifications.

It is going to become evident very quickly by a customer, other trade worker, or by the building department that something isn't right with the persons work.

Having a license doesn't necessarily get you work or more importantly keep work coming in. It is the quality and expertise of the individual that allows them to stay in business.

I have made formal suggestions to my state Electrical Contractors Licensing Board to require new applicants to receive training and education on the scope of liabilty and the significants of penalty and disciplinary actions that can be taken against those who violate state statutes. The only response I have ever received is that a license applicant is required to take and pass a "business law" exam and are supposed to read the administrative provisions for the board. Wee, I have read all the statues, and taken the business law exam and I don't think it is sufficent enough for one's understanding of the total risks involved with performing electrical work. :roll:
 
Re: Texas Electricians

Originally posted by eastcreek:
List,

The state of Texas is currently accepting applications for the new statewide electrical licenses. (www.license.state.tx.us)

Anyone out there besides me having difficulty getting past employers/Master Electricians to sign the required Texas "Electrician Experience Verification Form" in order to attain the statewide Masters License? They are all concerned about "being libel". Anyone have a suggestion for me to continue my contractors license?

Eastcreek
Click to expand...

[ April 27, 2004, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: bert47 ]
 
Re: Texas Electricians

just sat down tonight to fill out texas state masters app. to my horror, i found out that i missed the GP (grandfather period) that expired 6/1/04. it would have given me my state license due to the experience requirement i fulfilled & for having a city license. now it looks like i have to retake the SBCCI masters exam that i passed 12/01 because the state will only allow passed exams within the last 2 years. all this doesn't make sense. the GP seems to me to be way too short and i've had a city license for over 2 years. this has made me sick to my stomach & now i can't sleep. anybody have any suggestions besides retaking the exam?

[ June 11, 2004, 03:03 AM: Message edited by: ronson ]
 
Re: Texas Electricians

fill out the paper work for GF.....date all papers may 20......mail in,,,,,it will be another month before they get to yours LOL....its worth a shot!
 
Re: Texas Electricians

List,

Sorry I'm late.... :) I didn't realize this was still active!

To answer some of the questions that came up:

1)I was a licensed contractor for exactly one year. (per the state requirements) (Since not all cities recognized my qualifications after passing the sbcci exam, my business effort was severely hampered.)

2)I have worked for the last 15 years as an electrician in some sort of capacity. (At one time supervisor of up to 19 electricians.)

Now back to my original problem and my final points After weeks of phone calls and e-mails, I finally secured enough "Experience Verification" to submit to the state. Since one employer refused to respond I did as the state required and procured a letter from a past supervisor explaining my job function (plant electrician) while employed there. (Other masters were "available" to me.) I called the other day and they told me they were checking into my past with the DPS. I suspect they will be printing my license soon.

In case anyone is wondering....I have no intentions of doing general contracting for the public. I fell a person would have to be either nuts or misinformed about the glory of running your own business.

I question the validity of the "experience verification forms" that were required here in Texas. Even when working "under the supervision" of "master electricians" I can only recall a master looking over my shoulder or inspecting my work 1 time!

I look at it this way....If an "electrician" that has passed an exam...at any time...wants to make an honest living...LET HIM OR HER WORK. It sure beats them out pushing drugs on my children, or standing in an unemployment line, or holding up the local bank....(I could go on and on here.) There is plenty of work for everyone out there. As one reader posted...It will become plan as day once they do shoddy work. At that point reprimanding is in order. If anyone is found doing work without a permit, again warn, then fine or pull licenses if violations continue to occur.

Isn't this what made America what it is...the free enterprise system?
 
Re: Texas Electricians

the usa is quickly not becoming the home of the free. part of my problem with applying for this state license is that i was so upset when i first found out that i had to get one. i've had a city license and passed the SBCCI exam. apparently, texas is in such a bind that "conservative" "christian" politicians will promote vice by taxing strippers, gambling, and working people. last night while i was up til 4:30, i even considered changing to some other career.
 
Re: Texas Electricians

You have only missed it by a few days so I would kneel on the steps of the licencing agency and beg to be given some grace period. I think here in wash if you miss a deadline you pay a missed deadline fee .
 
Re: Texas Electricians

i haven't found anything about late fees in any of this literature from the state. i wouldn't mind paying a late fee if that would prevent me from having to take a test again. sounds like we have a bunch of hardheads in austin.
 
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