SlayeR

Can someone please explain why we take the NEC test to get our journeyman license or contractors license but it is only good in your state or a reciprocating state? Besides the obvious answer....your state wants the money.

I personally feel that since it is the NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE test and not the STATE ELECTRICAL CODE test, we should be allowed to do electrical work in any state as long as we get a city license if required.

I think we all need to get together and write congress in regards to this and see what can be done if anything.

MDShunk

Never happen... it's a state's rights issue, not a federal government issue.

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InPhase277

Right..., and we should have a national driver's license too. There is a tendency lately to down play the role of states in the form of our government. Each state is a country all it's own, and the United States is a collection of countries. At least in theory anyway. The term "States' Rights" has somehow become synonymous with racial segregation. Too bad, really.

jrannis

I like the way it is now. Florida is like the end of a funnel for the US, the licensing fence has to be really high and wide here.
Try filling out the State Certified Electrical Contractor paperwork.
You cant be an Alcoholic felon with two ex-wives.
You have to wait do that after you open a shop and think you can make money working for GCs.

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paul d.

jr, how do the local authorities deal with the non- licensed " vultures " that show up after a hurricane? or are they too busy ?

jwelectric

Strange that you make that statement as here in North Carolina we have our own electrical code, the North Carolina Electrical Code.

manchestersparky

A Nation wide electrical License - That would be a grand thing Now wouldn't it. Maybe have a Nation wide " USA License" That would allow you to reciprocrate each states license. This way everyone gets some of the $$$.

Problem is each state would have to be in agreement with every other state on issues such as Testing scores, testing questions, testing proctors, amount of experience needed prior to sitting for test, Code editions being tested on, and I'm sure there is a few more issues that the politicians can come up with.

Neighboring states can't even agree with each other. Hell in Maryland there are numerous code cycles being used. Some counties use the 2002, some are using the 2005, and some have kept up and are using the 2008.
I've been told, DC is still using the 1996 ? (Please correct if I'm wrong here and I hope I am!)

brian john

Another reason against this is, those locals in power want to keep that power, those locals that make money would not want to give away one red cent to anyone else.

And I'm more more of a States Right kinda of guy, the feds have screwed up enough.

william1978

Don't make it sound all big and bad, its still the current eddition of the NEC.

Jeff000

Comparing it with a drivers license is not a good comparison, your state drivers license allows you to drive in all states.....


In Canada we have the Red Seal test, once you are certified Red Seal you can work in all provinces no problem.

InPhase277

Well, you may be right that the drivers license comparison isn't a good one, but comparing states to provinces is not great either.

Maybe medical licensing is better. Being certified by the American Medical Association doesn't mean you can practice medicine in every state. You must still be licensed in your respective state. In any case, the erosion of state power and the encroachment of federal power is a bad thing...

MDShunk

Is that like 'The Mark of The Beast"?

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Jeff000

Bar exam is the same way for lawyers.
Is it as easy as writing a test for each state you want to work in though?

jwelectric

With amendants

william1978

Yes sir.

william1978

By the way welcome to the forum.

Mike_586

Not sure how it is out west but in Ontario up to a few years ago, we had the Ontario licenses and the Inter-Provincial (Red Seal). It was the same test, just that the red seal required a score of 70% or higher. Now days they simply raised the passing grade to 70% and did away with the Ontario license.

...and yeah we can work in all the provinces except Quebec, with the exception of IBEW members, and even we have to jump through some hoops for the 'privilege' of working there'. Something I've passed on ever time I've been offered work there. Dealing with them simply isn't worth the aggravation.

bobelectric

Unlike Gun Permits,in the U.S.A.

kbsparky

I like the driver's license analogy. I live in an area where I can travel 30 miles south, and be in another state. OR 10 miles north and in a 3rd state.

I only need one driver's license to travel between all those jobsites. My work vehicle only needs one set of registration plates.

But I need a wall full of licenses and certificates to be able to work in all those areas.

I have so many wallet cards, that I laid them all out on the photocopier, and made a full page showing all of `em, and keep them in my job/clipboard/box (Actually, it took 4 pages to copy all the pertinent licenses, cards, certificates, etc).

I just signed up for a continuing education class. I had to ensure that the instructor/class was approved by at least 6 different boards, so I can count those hours when it comes time to renew all those licenses ....

jrannis

Total Anarchy for a few weeks, then they get chased out of town or arrested.
We then get to work for 10 years repairing the repairs they made.

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