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| Subject - Texas Licensing | |
| justinelect |
Just wondering what the opinions are of the other Texas electricians are on the new licensing laws etc. Here is the official website of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elec.htm Any and all opinions would be appreciated. |
| justinelect | I have been researching this subject for the last couple of days and it has always been the intent of the Texas legislature to license individuals in rural areas, who have not required licensing before, off of experience alone. No testing requirements during the grandfathering period. Basically if you can prove you have been acting like an electrician you can get a license. This subject is just now coming up due to the "emergency rule" inacted on Sept. 13th. The grandfathering period has not been extended, however if you did apply before June 1, you can use this new documentation method and resubmit for license. What do ya'll think about this???? |
| Ryan_J | I think people should have to show competence by testing. As an inspector, I have to say that I see some pretty nasty work. At least testing shows some level of knowledge. |
| JimmyDee | I agree with Ryan_J Jim |
| shocky | I WATCH PEOPLE GET JOURNEYMAN LICENSES THAT HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING!THEY RAN PIPE IN A STRAIGHT LINE FOR 12000 HOURS,CAN'T SPEAK OR READ ENGLISH,AND BY LAW THIS QUALIFIES THEM TO RECEIVE A LICENSE.IS THIS CRAZY OR WHAT!!!NOT FAIR TO THOSE OF US WHO HAD TO STUDY HARD AND TAKE THE TEST. |
| JimmyDee | quote: Never happen in Michigan. Everyone takes the test. No test, no license. Jim |
| shocky | HEY JIMMYDEE,GUESS YOU NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH MEXICANS DOWN HERE IN TEXAS.REALLY MAKES ME MAD!I WORK FOR IT HARD,THEY DO NOTHING! |
| justinelect | Shocky you are what I was looking for when I asked this question. Somebody who is passionate about the work they do and proud of the hours studying and learning the code they had to put in to take and pass an exam. This grandfathering clause has gotten way out of hand when they started handing out electrical licenses to anybody who claimed to do electrical work. I really don't understand why the Texas govt. had to get involved all they have done is open up the electrical trade to unqualified individuals--and if they want to debate the fact that some of the people who have recieved licenses without testing they can't--they have nothing to show except letters of documentation of which many have been falsely filed. I know of masters in my area who would sign off on anyones time for the right price--and it wasn't very much. I understand people in areas which had no licensing department will not be able to prove time under a licensed master electrician, but let these people satisfy their time requirements working in the trade for these unlicensed contractors, and require them to take a test. The new provisions for documentation of time will not extend the grandfathering period, although if you did apply for a license and were denied due to documentation you can use this new documentation method and not have to take a test. If you have any comments on this new documentation you can go to this site and leave an email with your comments. http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elecprop3.htm Justin |
| ShaftedbyTexas | Justin, what do you think of the individuals like myself who passed the Master Electrician Exam and were not notified of the granfather period. Is it fair that we not be allowed to grandfather in because we were not notified by our respective City's or the State of Texas. There seems to have been an alternate agenda here. Reduce the number of Master Electrician Licenses and increase cheap labor for out of town contractors by "giving" away jounerman licenses. Any one that was not active in the construction trade was not notified, due tp the fact that it was done when permits were being issued. This is not even touching on the subject of the many maintenance electricians (also affected) who were not notified many of who still do not know. Texas and the municipalites did a poor job in notifing everyone. Was it an oversight or was there an alternate agenda at work. |
| Scott Vickrey | I was notified of this change by a private licensing company whom was hoping to get my business by offering to file my paperwork for a $275 fee. I received nothing from the state. I do believe the ball was dropped by Texas. Hopefully, they will do something to help those that were not informed. |
| ShaftedbyTexas | Scott, I would love to have a copy of the letter that you were sent. Let me know if this is possible. If that is not a smoking gun I do not know what is. |
| JimmyDee | Looks to me that the ball was dropped by your local boards not notifying you on the change as well. They certainly arn't going to ask you to renew your license if it won't be any good. They should have notified you as well as the state. Jim |
| Scott Vickrey | I'll have to dig for that letter but I think I still have it. |
| ShaftedbyTexas | Let me know. |
| justinelect | Shafted, Hey, don't think that just because they say the grandfathering period is over that all is lost. The word on this "state license" was rather hush hush for the most part unless you were looking for it or lived in a city that was pushing for this new law. My city was not for the new law and it was kept pretty quite around here. The thing is the new law is here and we have to figure out a way to work with it. |
| tbcyberzom | How to start to become a electrician...any advice |
| John A. Peters | I think what been done so far is just the first step in the right direction. They will modify things and maybe make a test become a requirement to renew the licensed after a year or something. At least the state got our attention. JP in another state (bliss) |
| ShaftedbyTexas | JP, that is not the point. I am on the ICC and SBCCI "pass list". I agree with a uniform test for all. Why should I have to work again for that I have already achieved? This is not an easy test, I have no doubt that I can pass it again but why should I or anyone that was not properly notified by the state or municipalities have to work twice as hard for something that they (cities or state)did wrong. www.shaftedtexaselectricians.com |
| andy | chck this out texas tells me my lic from newyork not good because been away from the game for 8yrs.wont let me renew and get myh journey lic they say i have to start all over again as an aprentise even though im aslso hvac lic they wont let me test out for my journeyman lic,  what a wonderful state we all live in herethanks bush. |
| JimmyDee | All you should need to do is have documentation from former employers that you actually have 4 years in the trade and that should be good. I've think it is ridicules to say you've been out of the trade so you cant get your license. That kind of statement has got to come from a clerk that has no clue. There are those that renew their licenses and never work in the trade. Are they qualified to have a license renewed just because they paid their money to the state? Oh wait, a lot of this is about money so negate that last statement. Jim |
| andy | texas idiot clerk says that my forms of information are to outdated almost 10yrs but i am lic by texas to work on a/c heating. been doing it for 8or 9 yrs but thats not good enogh go figure guess im just going to have to find a job as an aprentise boy some boss out there is really going to be lucky someone he really doesnt have to train and watch thanks andy |
| alowishus1 | i have been an electrician for 4 years and i know for a fact that just because you can pass a written, open book, 3 hour test...does not mean you know anything...i worked with a lisenced wirman that tryed to tell me that the dining and nook plugs were supposed to be at 44" |