Why Get an Electrician License?
Today, to work in the United States, almost every state requires that electricians have a license and electrical continuing education. To know exactly what your local government demands, contact the building department of your area to find out about the requisites.
Basically, to get the license you have to pass a test, which is composed of questions founded on theory, common knowledge, and the National Electrical Code (NEC). This is a document that is valid throughout all the United States, so it applies to every state.
The exam is different depending on the state you live in, though, because there are state and local laws and regulations that do not apply at a national level and that will be evaluated depending on where you live. Some states today are even demanding applicants take a Business and Law exam to get a contractor’s license.
The test is difficult, and the main reason for this is that the questions come from many disciplines within the electrical field and are not necessarily restricted to the kind of electrical work you do, so make sure you prepare well for it.
The most important reason for enforcing a license is to look after public health and safety by stopping people without the right qualifications from practicing a particular profession or occupation.
When you have a license you are saying in an official and legal way that you have a certain profession, and you are guaranteeing you have the required knowledge to work without putting other people in danger.
You have to understand that having an electrical license is more than just passing the exam and paying a fee. A license makes you responsible and accountable for lack of skill as well as for illegal and/or immoral acts.
When your license is suspended or rescinded, besides being punished, the state is ensuring you do not repeat illegal acts and is also protecting the public.
But you’re not done after passing the electrical exam. Once you know you have done well, there are other requisites that your state will demand. If you don’t carry on with these requisites, you will lose your license. Every license, no matter when it was issued, has to be renewed after a certain period of time. If you don’t renew it following your state’s requirements, your license will be automatically terminated.
A licensed electrician has to have and maintain a business location where the license must be displayed and notices can be sent.
