How to Find out if an Electrician is Licensed

You probably have many questions about potential electricians if you are looking for someone to help you with your next home project. It is important to find out if they are licensed. We’ll show you how to determine if an electrician has been licensed. This will help you to make your home improvements a success.

Is it really important to have an electrical license?

Training is required for electrical work. Journey-level electricians must have completed five years of schooling and 10,000 hours of on-the-job training. The longest apprenticeship program is electrical training. As a homeowner, you can be sure that your electrician will do the job correctly and to the code.

You can be confident that an electrician has passed the exam and is qualified to perform the work. You may also find it important for practical reasons.

• The National Electrical Code will ensure that your electrician completes the job in accordance with safety guidelines.
• Bonded electricians are licensed. You have an additional level of assurance if your contractor leaves the job unfinished.
• Nearly all states require that electrical contractors be licensed in order to provide electricity. Building codes may differ from one state to the next. An electrician licensed in your area will be able to tell you the codes and whether or not your job requires a permit.
• If you have to file a claim after they work, working with a non-licensed electrician could result in your homeowner’s insurance being cancelled.

What is the difference between a registered and certified electrician?

The two options for licensed electricians in the United States are registered which means that they can only work in the region they have registered or certified which allows them to work anywhere in the state they obtained their license. Some electricians may be eligible for reciprocal licenses that allow them to work in other states.

What is the Licensing Process?

The licensing process is fairly similar in most places across the U.S. There are, however, a few differences.

• In some states, apprentices must be licensed
• Some states only require journey-level electrical contractors to be licensed
• A state licensing body licenses most electricians
• Some electricians may obtain their licenses at either the county or city level
• In some states, there are multiple licenses available for master electricians and journey-level electricians. Each has its own set of requirements.

Tips to Make Sure Your Electrician Is Licensed

You can be sure that your electrical work is safe by hiring a licensed contractor.

Ask the electrician if he is licensed and has insurance. If you are considering hiring employees for a company, ensure they have workers’ comp insurance. Also, make sure that each electrician is licensed.

Learn how to check if your electrician has a license.

1. Learn more about State Agencies

Although each state has its own licensing requirements, your local licensing office can check if an electrician is authorized to work in your area. This information should be available from your state’s Department of Labor. Online licensing tools can be used to locate licensing requirements for professionals within your state.

• Logging in to the Washington   State Department of Labor and Industries will allow you to check if the contractor has an active license.
• The   Department of Labor and Workforce Development manages licensing in Alaska.
• Texas uses the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
• The licensing process in Massachusetts is handled by the State Examiners of Electricians. Enter the information you need to verify your Massachusetts license on the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website.

2. Ask Local Contractors

You may have a trusted contractor who can help you with a larger project. Contractors often work alongside electricians every day. If they have worked with you before, they may be able to verify that your contractor holds a valid license.

3. Ask Your Electrician

You should ask the electrician you are about to hire to provide proof of bonding, their trade license number, and insurance. Verify that your electrician’s name matches that of the license when they present it to you. Verify that the contractor is the one who is holding the license.

4. Talk to Neighbors, Friends

You may be able to walk next door and find out if your electrician has a license. This information is often available from neighbours, family members, or friends who have done previous electrical work. However, it’s worth checking in quickly with them.