Georgia Electrical Contractors License Rules

Chapter 14 of Title 43 of Georgia's state laws requires that all electricians receive a state-issued license prior to working independently as an electrical contractor in Georgia. The Georgia Board of the Construction Industry handles the licensing program, enforcing the rules for credentialing as outlined by the state law. As of February 2011, the Georgia Secretary of State reported more than 8,600 people held unrestricted electrical contractor licenses in Georgia.

Experience

All applicants for an electrical contractor license in Georgia must have a minimum of four years of work experience as an electrician. During their work experience, prospective contractors must have worked under the direct supervision of a licensed contractor. The work experience must have included actual labor relating to wiring and other electrician's duties rather than clerical experience. Candidates must provide the Georgia Board of the Construction Industry with a list of each employer for which they worked during the four years and detail the types of duties they performed while in their employment.

Examination

Candidates who meet the experience requirements for Georgia electrical contractor licensing must pass a written examination developed by the Georgia Board of the Construction Industry. The examination is given during three different months of the year at locations throughout the state. The test is open book, allowing applicants to use state-approved reference materials like the National Electrical Code while answering the test's multiple-choice questions. The state allows students to take the test up to three times. Those who cannot pass the test on the third try must petition the board for permission to test again.

Other Requirements

All candidates for Georgia electrical contractor licensing must undergo a criminal background check, which requires professional fingerprinting. Those found to have a history of any felonies or certain misdemeanors related to fraud are usually deemed ineligible for licensing in Georgia. Candidates must submit an application, which is available from the Georgia Board of the Construction Industry website. The application must be notarized prior to its return. Along with the application, prospective contractors must submit three letters of recommendation. At least one of the letters must come from a former electrical contractor employer. The board only accepts letters from electrical contractor, registered architect, professional engineer and city or county building inspectors.

Reciprocity

Electrical contractor licensing candidates who hold a license from another state may qualify for an exemption to the licensing rules typically required for other applicants in Georgia. As of February 2011, the Georgia Board of the Construction Industry had reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Electrical contractors with unexpired and unrestricted licenses issued by one of these states do not have to take the state examination. Letters of recommendation and a background check are still mandatory. Out-of-state electrical contractors must also submit a copy of their licenses for board validation.

References

• Georgia Secretary of State: Electrical Contactor License Application
• Georgia Secretary of State: Electrical Contractors, Plumbers, Conditioned Air Contractors, Low-Voltage Contractors, and Utility Contractors
• Georgia Secretary of State: Georgia Board of Construction Industry
• Georgia Secretary of State: Frequently Asked Questions