Advertisement

The importance of a licensed electrician has become more important as our modern world gets more technologically advanced.

You can never take for granted the safety features and electrical systems you have in your home or place of business. You can never be too careful.

Electrical energy can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Electrocution is one of the most common ways that a homeowner gets injured. Several other electrical hazards can occur, as well.

When a building is being constructed, the electrician is tasked with organizing the electrical wiring and circuitry.

Ultimately, an electrician’s job is to make sure that the electricity flows where it needs to go and that it’s safe for the public (and your family) to use.

The only person legally allowed to handle electrical wiring is a licensed electrician.

If you are looking for an electrician, there are many important questions to ask.

You want to make sure that the person you hire is licensed and certified to do the work you need.

There is no point in hiring an electrician that does not have the proper training and education to do the job correctly.

A qualified electrician must know the current electrical codes and have a working knowledge of all the new wiring methods.

Licensed Electrician Requirements

Certified electricians have earned the necessary certifications to practice their trade.

To become an electrician, they must complete a 5-year education program and complete a program of apprenticeship training.

For electricians, this means a lot, as their apprenticeship programs are typically the longest of all skilled trades. They usually take 10,000 hours to complete.

In addition to learning about electrical systems and local laws, they receive on-the-job training during this time.

During the apprenticeship period, the electrician apprentice learns about his occupation tasks in addition to unique situations in which he may be involved.

To acquire a license, an electrician must pass a series of tests demonstrating their competency to perform electrical work.

By doing so, licensed electricians are guaranteed to provide competent, dependable, and reliable services.

The licensed electrician will focus on rules and regulations, follow all building codes, and acquire any permit necessary.

They Must Carry Insurance

Insurance is a requirement of being licensed as an electrician because working with electricity is dangerous.

Despite safety measures, accidents can still occur when a safety precaution is not taken.

In the absence of a license, electricians are at a higher risk of mistakes that result in injury and less likely to possess insurance.

The risk of being financially liable for an uninsured electrician is increased when they get hurt on your property.

If you hire an electrician, you ensure that they have the proper training and skills to handle any situation that may arise. The last thing you want is for them to make a mistake that could cause damage to you or the property.

Nevertheless, mistakes can happen even by the most trained professionals.

If you hired an electrician who wasn’t properly licensed, it also stands to reason that they do not possess any insurance.

Therefore if anything were to go wrong, and your property got damaged, you could find yourself out of luck.

Even if your homeowners’ insurance pays for the damage, you will find yourself with a hefty excess bill to pay and perhaps even an increased premium upon renewal.

Bond Insurance

An electrician you hire should be bonded, just in case the job is not finished on time.

Several electrical jobs have been completed poorly or left incompletely, for that matter.

For example, they might have left wires hanging out of the wall when they were supposed to rectify the problem.

To receive licensing, an electrician has to pay a bond.

This money may cover any damages incurred if a job is left unfinished. Consider bonds as extra insurance for you and your home.

Local and State Codes

It’s essential to hire a licensed electrician because they are very familiar with the state and local electrical codes. These codes differ from state to state.

The National Electrical Code and all permits for a job must be obtained by your electrician if he is to perform work.

The code sets a standard for the quality of electrical work for electricians and reassures electrical wiring procedures’ safety.

Electrical codes are updated every three years. In order to avoid unnecessary risks, it is necessary to keep up to date with the regulations.

If an electrician is licensed, you are assured that their work is up to state standards and their insurance is up to date.

Various Types Of Licenses For Electricians

What type of skill and knowledge an electrician needs differs from one kind of license to another.

An electrician’s license plays an essential part in determining what he can do and what he can’t do through that license.

Every license in the United States can be either certified or registered, which means that the licensee is allowed to work from any state where the permission was obtained or only from the region where they registered the license.

Licenses fall into four categories:

  • Contractor (Certified or Registered)
  • Specialty Contractor (Certified or Registered)
  • Alarm I (Certified or Registered)
  • Alarm II (Certified or Registered)

It is actually against the law to do work outside of the scope of an electrical license.

It would be best to make sure everything is legal, so your insurance will take care of your claim if they could not verify your electricians’ license.

Safety

An electrician who is licensed will have passed all necessary examinations necessary to ensure that he or she can perform electrical repairs.

There is no need to put your life and property at risk to prevent accidents, and it is much more prudent to hire a licensed electrician before problems become critical rather than to wait until they are.

Licensed Electricians: How to Check

If you are looking for licensed electricians near you, you can start by looking on your electrician or electrical contractor’s website.

Their website should state what they are qualified for, their qualifications, what credentials they have, and what status they hold in their chosen profession.

Additionally, you can find information about an electrician’s services, past projects, and customer reviews.

Begin by requesting documentation of your electrician’s license.

An electrician with the right qualifications will gladly provide you with evidence of their qualifications and insurance coverage so that you can verify the legitimacy of their license.

Different states have different licensing requirements and licensing organizations.

It is possible to find out if an electrician is licensed through your local licensing department.

You can also ask your electrician for proof of liability insurance. Your state’s Department of Labor may also be able to assist you.

Afterward, have their insurance company verify the electrician’s insurance status.

Contractors and individuals can apply for licenses. Contractors must ensure that all work performed by employees meets all code requirements.

Employees may perform work for your contractor who may not be properly licensed, so be sure to check that they are licensed as well.

In the final instance, when viewing a license, make sure that the name on it matches the name given to you.

Summary

Hiring a licensed electrician might be the most important investment you can make, and in some instances, it can protect you from fines or insurance claims.

While hiring a licensed electrician may seem like a luxury or a waste of money, the truth is that hiring a licensed electrician can be very beneficial for protecting your property and even the safety of your family.

Categorized in: