Electrical contractors are in demand because of their expertise and experience. Because of the knowledge and technicalities involved in electrical work, it’s always good to know if your electrician is licensed before hiring them.
Licensing is strong proof of their reliability and competence as electricians. Licence regulations differ from place to place, but you can easily determine whether your electrical contractor is licensed by asking them or doing your research.
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What is an electrician license?
An electrical license is a legal permit acknowledging your training as an electrician and your right to work professionally as an electrical contractor. You have to apply to get an electrical license, and the procedure for getting one changes depending on the area you live. Some states do not allow electricians to work without having an electrician license.
Having an electrician license means the person holds lots of knowledge about their field. This makes them more reliable, trustworthy, and a safer option than an unlicensed electrician. As a result, most customers tend to look for electricians that have a license.
Do you have to be licensed to work as an electrician?
It all depends on the area you live in and the laws that apply there. The majority of states require you to have an electrical license to perform most electrical work. Sometimes a state might not have electrical licensing laws, so cities or towns may enforce their own laws.
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The reason why licensing is so important in the electrical contractor field is that being an electrician is a risky job, both for the worker and the customer.
However, not all electrical professionals are licensed, so you have to be extra careful when choosing a contracting agency to work with.
Inside Advisor electrician recruiting information help businesses to only hire experienced electricians that are fully licensed, but it never hurts to do your research and look into the company.
Types of licenses for electrical professionals
The type of licensure offered to electrical contractors varies depending on the country or state they’re in. Some states offer a unique license for speciality electrical contractors; these are specialised electricians who are mainly contacted for speciality services that don’t fall within the scope of other electricians.
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On the other hand, some states have a general license level available for all electricians. If you’re considering becoming a licensed electrical professional, research your state’s regulations, how they issue out electrician licenses and the levels of licenses they have. This will help you know which one you qualify for and how to get one.
However, most states mainly offer four types of licenses for electricians; the apprentice license, the journeyman license, the residential electrician license, and the master’s license.
● Apprentice license – This is a license for electricians who are in training while actively working. These electricians operate under a master electrician who acts as a supervisor and monitors their work. Some apprentice electricians work full-time and are fully paid; however, they are still in training and not fully qualified electrical professionals. Other apprentice electricians undergo both classroom and on-the-job training.
● Journeyman license – This is like a middle-ground license. Journeymen are fully trained electrical professionals who can perform their job without supervision. However, for certain tasks, they may need the supervision of a master electrician. They are also not qualified to own an electrical contractor business.
● Master’s license – This is the highest level of licensing an electrical contractor can have. They have the most experience and are qualified to train apprentices, supervise the work of journeymen, and can run their own electrical contractor business if they wish.
● Residential electrician license – Before applying for this license, you must show proof of up to 5000 hours of working experience and at least 500 hours of electrical training. This license places you in similar status with a journeyman electrician, except you will only be able to work in residential areas. You can, however, work as a trainee electrician in commercial areas.
Certified electrician Vs licensed electrician: What is the difference?
A certified electrician works under a licensed electrical contracting agency and can work as an electrician due to their association with the licensed agency. Their certification shows that they have been recognized as part of a licensed electrician recruiting agency.
On the other hand, a licensed electrical contractor does specialized work with electrical equipment. Both individuals and businesses can be licensed electrical contractors. Licensed electricians receive state-approved verifications that allow them to do electrical work in that state.
Do you need to appoint a licensed electrical contractor?
Appointing a licensed electrician contractor gives you confidence in the electrician’s skill and experience, and ensures that they’re competent enough to do the work properly.
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Especially in a work field as complex as electrical work, your electrician should be fully knowledgeable about complex electrical appliances, wiring, and other electrical work. They should be able to thoroughly analyse their job and come up with the best possible angle to work.
If you hire a licensed electrical contractor, you can safely assume that your work is being done correctly and is in stable hands. Here are five reasons you should use a licensed electrical contractor as opposed to an unlicensed electrician:
1. They are security conscious
Licenced electricians are required to follow strict security rules that ensure the safety of the worker and the customer. These rules vary from state to state. They ensure that the electrician remains security conscious while they work and don’t put anyone at risk.
2. They provide long-term solutions
Hiring a licensed professional to do your electrical work will extend the lifetime of your system and help avoid future problems. Unlicensed electricians may not do this well, and you may have to continuously re-fix your electrical system. Licensed electricians provide long-term solutions that will save your money and give you peace of mind.
3. Surety bonds
This is one of the main benefits of using a licensed electrical contractor. In the event that the job is not properly done or the electrician does not complete the job, the surety bond ensures that you will be compensated to cover your losses.
In addition, with licensed electricians, you will not be held responsible if any accident happens to the electrician while they are working in your home.
4. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience
Becoming a licensed electrical professional involves extended training and years of experience in the electrical workforce. So, when you hire a licensed electrician, you’re hiring someone with years of experience working as an electrician. They use this knowledge to examine their work and perform their job to the best of their ability.
5. Access to the best quality tools and equipment
Licensed electrical professionals are trained to keep up with the latest technological advancements and trends. As a result, they have a wide range of tools and equipment that come in handy during electrical work. This can save you a lot of money, as the equipment they need to do the job is readily available. You can also be rest assured that your getting quality service with the best tools.
This is unlike unlicensed electricians, who tend to lack access to these top-notch tools.
6. It saves your money
Many homeowners may decide to DIY their electrical work. They do this under the assumption that the work is uncomplicated and, therefore, shouldn’t be hard to do. However, this assumption is often wrong, and the owner ends up making the situation worse than it already is. By the time you hire an electrician to fix things, they charge extra to undo the damage you’ve caused.
How to know if your electrician is a licensed electrical contractor
Whether you’re looking for a new electrician to employ or you already have an electrician you regularly hire, here are some ways you can know if your electrician is licensed:
1. Their professionalism
The workmanship and professionalism of an electrician can be a great way to tell whether or not they are licensed. No one wants to work with someone with a bad attitude. Licensed electrical contractors have been in the workforce for a long time and know how to relate to customers properly.
2. Ask to see their license
This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s still worth mentioning. Sometimes, the best way to find out if your electrician is licensed is by enquiring about it from them. Ask to see their license and related legal documents. Ask about when they got licensed and how long they’ve been working. This will give you a good idea of their experience level.
3. Insurance
Most licensed electricians come with insurance policies for clients. These policies protect you in case of an accident or if the job isn’t done correctly. It is essential that your electrician has all the necessary insurance. Examine the authenticity of the issuance documents and ensure they aren’t expired or fake.
Conclusion
In summary, not all electrical professionals are licensed. However, if you want your work to be done as efficiently as possible, it’s best to find a licensed electrician to work for you. And if you’re an electrician looking to attain licensing in your state, simply look up the electrical license regulations online.
