2015 -- H 5709

========

LC001642

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - ELECTRICIANS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Solomon, McNamara, Hull, and Keable

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Sections 5-6-1, 5-6-2, 5-6-3, 5-6-7, 5-6-8, 5-6-10, 5-6-10.1, 5-6-11, 5-6-13,

2

5-6-16, 5-6-19, 5-6-20.1, 5-6-24, 5-6-26, 5-6-29 and 5-6-32 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-6

3

entitled "Electricians" are hereby amended to read as follows:

4

     5-6-1. Definitions. -- For purposes of this chapter:

5

      (1) "Electrical contractor" means a corporation, firm or person, who, by the employment

6

of journeypersons, performs the work of installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing wires,

7

conduits, apparatus, fixtures, and other appliances for carrying or using electricity for light, heat

8

or power purposes exclusive of low voltage wiring for heating or refrigeration equipment for

9

service, maintenance, and installation.

10

      (2) "Electrical sign contractor" means a corporation, firm, or person who, by the

11

employment of electrical sign installers, performs the work of installing, altering, and servicing

12

electrical signs. This may include the removal or installation of no more than three (3) wires not

13

to exceed fifteen feet (15') in length and terminating in an existing electrical enclosure directly

14

adjacent to, or at the base of, said sign.

15

      (3) "Electrical sign installer" means a person engaged in installing, altering, and

16

servicing electrical signs. This may include the removal or installation of no more than three (3)

17

wires not to exceed fifteen feet (15') in length and terminating in an existing electrical enclosure

18

directly adjacent to, or at the base of, said sign.

19

      (4) "Fire alarm contractor" means a corporation, firm, or person who, by the employment

 

1

of fire alarm installers, performs the work of installing, maintaining, altering and servicing, and

2

testing of fire alarm systems in accordance with the Rhode Island fire safety code, chapters 28.1 -

3

- 28.39 of title 23.

4

      (5) "Fire alarm installation" means the installation or alteration of a fire alarm system

5

according to the Rhode Island fire safety code.

6

      (6) "Fire alarm installer" means a person engaged in installing, maintaining, altering, or

7

servicing and testing a fire alarm system used for the purpose of causing an alarm to be sounded

8

in case of fire.

9

      (7) "Journeyperson electrician" means a person doing any work of installing wires,

10

conduits, apparatus, fixtures, and other appliances.

11

      (8) "Lightning protection contractor" means a corporation, firm, or person, who or that,

12

by employment of lightning protection installers, performs the work of installing, altering, and

13

maintaining, lightning protection systems. The "systems" are defined and should be installed in

14

accordance with NFPA 780 current edition, and all referenced NFPA documents.

15

      (9) "Lightning protection installer" means a person engaged in the installation, service,

16

or maintenance of a lightning protection system according to NFPA 780 current edition.

17

      (10) "Oil burner contractor" "Burner contractor" means a corporation, firm, or person,

18

who or that, by the employment of oil burnerpersons, performs the work of installing and

19

servicing oil and domestic automatic, coal-burning heating equipment, including central heating

20

plants and domestic-type range burners, and including all accessory equipment and control

21

systems, excluding thermostatic, mechanical, and low-voltage wiring on heating, ventilating, and

22

air conditioning equipment.

23

      (11) "Oil burnerperson" "Burnerperson" means a person doing any work, or installing or

24

servicing oil burners and other equipment, installed and serviced by an oil a burner contractor.

25

      (12) "Sign renovation electrical license" means a person engaged in the installation,

26

service, or maintenance of electrical signs, but only when the installation, service, or maintenance

27

requires the removal or installation of no more than three (3) wires.

28

     5-6-2. Work for which license required. -- (a) (1) No person, firm, or corporation shall

29

enter into, engage in, solicit, advertise, bid for, or work at the business of installing, maintaining,

30

servicing, and testing wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures, electrical signs, lightning protection

31

equipment as defined in § 5-6-1, and other appliances for carrying or using or generating

32

electricity for light, heat, fire alarms, as defined in chapter 28.25 of title 23, entitled "Fire Alarm

33

Systems", or power purposes, exclusive of low voltage wiring for heating/refrigeration

34

equipment, or work at the business of removing and reattaching existing electrical meters, unless

 

LC001642 - Page 2 of 14

1

that person, firm, or corporation shall have received a license and a certificate for the business,

2

issued by the state board of examiners of electricians of the division of professional regulation of

3

the department of labor and training in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter.

4

      (2) That person shall carry this license on his or her person at all times while so engaged,

5

and shall affix his or her contractor's license number to any advertisement and/or contract he or

6

she executes and/or to any bid he or she files with any consumer for his or her professional

7

services and to any applicable permit required for the performance of those services.

8

      (b) Any person, firm or corporation which is required to apply for a permit from a local

9

building official for any work required to be performed by a person licensed under the provisions

10

of this chapter shall cause the work to be performed by a person licensed under the provisions of

11

this chapter; provided, that the provisions of this section, except the provision regarding removing

12

and reattaching existing electrical meters, shall not apply to owner-occupied single family homes.

13

     5-6-3. Devices and appliances inserted by unlicensed persons. -- Nothing in this

14

chapter shall be construed to forbid the insertion in electrical circuits, by unlicensed persons, of

15

devices or appliances including, but not limited to, microwaves, refrigerators, ranges, televisions,

16

and lightbulbs that are properly designed for that insertion and for which proper wire and

17

insertion devices are installed.

18

     5-6-7. Forms of licenses. -- Fourteen (14) forms of licenses shall be issued:

19

      (1) The first, subsequently referred to as Certificate A, is known as an "electrical

20

contractor's license";

21

      (2) The second, subsequently referred to as Certificate B, is known as a "journeyperson

22

electrician's license";

23

      (3) The third, subsequently referred to as Certificate C, is known as a "limited-premises

24

license";

25

      (4) The fourth, subsequently referred to as Certificate E, is known as an "oil burner

26

contractor's license";

27

      (5) The fifth, subsequently referred to as Certificate F, is known as an a "oil

28

burnerperson's license";

29

      (6) The sixth, subsequently referred to as Certificate AF, is known as a "fire alarm

30

contractor's license";

31

      (7) The seventh, subsequently referred to as Certificate BF, is known as a "fire alarm

32

installer's license";

33

      (8) The eighth, subsequently referred to as Certificate SCF, is known as "an electrical

34

sign contractor's license";

 

LC001642 - Page 3 of 14

1

      (9) The ninth, subsequently referred to as Certificate CF, is known as "an electrical sign

2

installer's license";

3

      (10) The tenth, subsequently referred to as Certificate D, is known as a "limited-

4

maintenance license";

5

      (11) The eleventh, subsequently referred to as Certificate M shall be known as a

6

"limited-maintenance journeyperson license";

7

      (12) The twelfth, subsequently referred to as Certificate LPC, shall be known as a

8

"lightning protection contractor's license";

9

      (13) The thirteenth, subsequently referred to as Certificate LPI, shall be known as a

10

"lightning protection installer's license"; and

11

      (14) The fourteenth, subsequently referred to as certificate SRL, shall be known as a

12

"sign renovation electrical license".

13

     5-6-8. Contractor's certificates/licenses. -- (a) Electrical contractor's license. -

14

Certificate A shall be issued to any person, firm, or corporation, qualified under this chapter,

15

engaging in, or about to engage in, the business of installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing

16

electrical wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures, fire alarm and safety communication systems, and

17

other electrical appliances, excluding low-voltage wiring for heating, ventilating, and air

18

conditioning equipment. The certificate shall specify the name of the person, firm, or corporation

19

applying and the name of the person, who in the case of a firm is one of its members, and in the

20

case of a corporation, one of its officers, passing the examination by which he or she or it is

21

authorized to enter upon, or engage in, business as prescribed in the certificate. The holding of a

22

Certificate A does not entitle the holder individually to engage in or perform the actual work of

23

installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing electric wires, conduits, and or appliances as

24

previously described in this chapter, but entitles him or her to conduct business as an electrical

25

contractor.

26

      (b) Oil burner contractor's license. - Burner contractor's license. - A Certificate E shall be

27

issued to any person, firm, or corporation qualified under this chapter and engaged in, or about to

28

engage in, the business of an oil a burner contractor as defined in § 5-6-1. The certificate shall

29

specify the name of the person, firm, or corporation applying and the name of the person who, in

30

the case of a firm is one of its members, and in the case of a corporation one of its officers,

31

passing the examination, by which he or she or it is authorized to enter upon, or engage in,

32

business as prescribed in the certificate. The holding of a Certificate E does not entitle the holder

33

individually to engage in or perform any work on, or in connection with, electric wires, conduits,

34

and appliances as previously described in this chapter, but entitles the holder to contract to do that

 

LC001642 - Page 4 of 14

1

work, to the extent permitted in this chapter, through the employment of oil burnerpersons

2

holding a Certificate F. An oil A burner contractor who is the holder of a Certificate A is not

3

required to obtain a Certificate E.

4

      (c) Fire alarm contractor's license. - A Certificate AF shall be issued to any person, firm,

5

or corporation qualified under this chapter and engaged in, or about to engage in, the business of

6

a fire alarm contractor as defined in § 5-6-1. The certificate shall specify the name of the person,

7

firm, or corporation applying and the person who, in the case of a firm is one of its members, and

8

in the case of a corporation one of its officers, passing the examination by which he or she or it is

9

authorized to enter upon or engage in business as prescribed in the certificate. The holding of a

10

Certificate AF does not entitle the holder individually to engage in, or perform and work on, or in

11

connection with, electric wires, fire alarm wires, conduits, and appliances as previously described

12

in this chapter, but entitles the holder to contract to do that work to the extent permitted in this

13

chapter through the employment of fire alarm installers holding a Certificate BF. A contractor

14

who is the holder of a Certificate A is not required to obtain a Certificate BF.

15

      (d) Electrical sign contractor's license. - A Certificate SCF shall be issued to any person,

16

firm, or corporation qualified under this chapter and engaged in or about to engage in the business

17

of electrical sign installations, as defined in § 5-6-1.

18

      (e) Lightning protection contractor. - A Certificate LPC shall be issued to any person,

19

firm or corporation qualified under this chapter and engaged in, or about to engage in, the

20

business of lightning protection contractor as defined in § 5-6-1. The Certificate LPC shall

21

specify the name of the person, firm, or corporation applying and the person, who in the case of a

22

firm, is one of its members, and in the case of a corporation, one of its officers, passing the

23

examination by which he or she or it is authorized to enter upon or engage in business as

24

prescribed in the certificate. The holding of a Certificate LPC does not entitle the holder

25

individually to engage in, or perform and work on, or in connection with, the installation of

26

lightning protection equipment as defined in § 5-6-1, unless that individual also holds a

27

Certificate LPI, but entitles the holder to contract to do that work to the extent permitted in this

28

chapter through the employment of lightning protection installers holding a Certificate LPI.

29

      (f) Sign renovation electrical license. - A certificate SRL shall be issued to any person,

30

firm, or corporation qualified under this chapter and engaged in, or about to engage in, the

31

business of sign renovation or installation of signs when such renovation or installation requires

32

the removal or installation of no more than three (3) wires.

33

      (g) Renewable energy professional. - A Certificate REP shall be issued to any person,

34

firm or corporation, qualified under this chapter, engaged in or about to engage in the business of

 

LC001642 - Page 5 of 14

1

installing eligible renewable energy technologies as defined in § 39-26-5. All renewable energy

2

electrical work, including installing, connecting, maintaining, servicing and testing all electrical

3

wires, conduits and apparatus; mounting the modules to the mounting racks; mounting the

4

inverters; and tying the inverters into the main electrical panels shall be done by a licensed

5

electrician. Ancillary non-electrical renewable energy work, such as advertising services;

6

distribution of materials to final location of installation including photovoltaic modules to the

7

mounting racks; and installing the ground and rooftop support brackets and ballast for rack

8

systems, may be done by any person, firm or corporation holding an REP Certificate. The REP

9

Certificate shall specify the name of the person, firm, or corporation applying and the name of the

10

person, who in the case of a firm is one of its members, and in the case of a corporation, one of its

11

officers, meeting the requisite education and experience as established in § 5-6-11, by which he

12

or she or it is authorized to enter upon or engage in business as prescribed in the certificate. The

13

holding of a Certificate REP entitles the holder to contract to do that work to the extent permitted

14

in this chapter.

15

      The installation, mechanical fastening and conjoining of listed solar sheathing systems

16

that are ten kilowatts (10 kw) or less on residential structures as defined by the Rhode Island one

17

and two (2) family dwelling code may be performed by a registered contractor that has been

18

issued a renewable energy professional certificate (REPC) as defined in § 5-6-11(e) and above

19

referenced. However, said residential solar sheathing system shall be connected to the electrical

20

system from the roof edge and energized by a Rhode Island licensed electrician working in

21

compliance with chapter 6 of title 5. Additionally, the residential solar sheathing systems noted

22

must be listed and labeled by UL or other recognized electrical device certification organization,

23

identified and acceptable by the authority having jurisdiction.

24

     5-6-10. Limited premises certificate/license. -- A Certificate C shall be issued to the

25

department of transportation, state airport corporation and manufacturing and industrial firms that

26

regularly employ one or more B or M journeyperson electricians for installation and when the

27

work performed by those individuals is limited to maintenance and repair of electrical wiring,

28

devices, appliances, and equipment on the premises owned or occupied by the applicant. The

29

application must be made by a responsible officer of the firm and contains a description of the

30

premises within which work is to be done under the permit. All work must meet electrical and

31

municipal codes and must be permitted accordingly by the municipality.

32

     5-6-10.1. Limited maintenance license. -- A Certificate D shall be issued to

33

municipalities, schools, hospitals, colleges, or other non-manufacturing firms or establishments

34

who regularly employ one or more licensed electricians (journeyperson/Class B or Class M)

 

LC001642 - Page 6 of 14

1

when the work performed by those individuals is limited to the maintenance of electrical wiring,

2

devices, appliances, and equipment on the premises owned or occupied by the applicant. The

3

applicant mustcontain a description of the premises within which work is to be done under the

4

permit. All work must meet electrical and municipal codes and must be permitted accordingly by

5

the municipality.

6

     5-6-11. Certificate/license of oil burnerperson, fire alarm installer, electrical sign

7

installers, lightning protection installers and renewable energy professionals. -- (a) Oil

8

burnerperson's Burnerperson's license. - A Certificate F shall be granted to any person who has

9

passed an examination before the division of professional regulation. The certificate shall specify

10

the name of the person authorized to work on, and repair electric wiring and equipment located in

11

or on oil burners burning fuel oil no heavier than No. 2, and other equipment serviced by oil

12

burner contractors, to the extent only as is necessary to service, maintain and repair those oil

13

burners and equipment. The license shall limit the holder of a Certificate F to do work on electric

14

wiring or equipment located between the meter and on those oil burners and equipment, but in no

15

event to do any electrical work on oil burners burning No. 3, 4, 5, or 6 fuel oil.

16

      (b) Fire alarm installer's license. - A Certificate BF shall be granted to any person who

17

has passed an examination before the division of professional regulation. The certificate shall

18

specify the name of the person authorized to work on, install, maintain, and test fire alarm

19

systems.

20

      (c) Electrical sign installer's license. - A Certificate CF shall be granted to any person

21

who has passed an examination before the division of professional regulations. The certificate

22

shall specify the name of the person authorized to install, maintain, work on, and repair electrical

23

signs.

24

      (d) Lightning protection installer's license. - A Certificate LPI shall be granted to any

25

person who has passed an examination before the division of professional regulations. The

26

certificate shall specify the name of the person authorized to install, maintain, work on, and repair

27

lightning protection systems as defined in § 5-6-1.

28

      (e) Renewable energy professional's certificate. - The Rhode Island department of labor

29

and training shall issue a Certificate of Competency in the Design and Installation of Renewable

30

Energy Systems to any person, firm, or corporation that has received a certification from a

31

nationally recognized, or equivalent, renewable energy certification training program and has

32

demonstrated proof of such certification to the Rhode Island office of energy resources.

33

     5-6-13. Journeyperson and burnerperson restricted to work as employee of licensee.

34

-- (a) Except as provided in § 5-6-14, a holder of a Certificate B is not entitled to do any work of

 

LC001642 - Page 7 of 14

1

installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures, or other

2

appliances for carrying or using electricity for light, heat, or power purposes except as an

3

employee of a holder of a Certificate A, of a Certificate C, or a Certificate D, or unless the holder

4

of a Certificate B is also registered as an electrical contractor and holds a certificate.

5

      (b) A holder of a Certificate F is not entitled to do any work on electric wiring, conduits,

6

apparatus, fixtures, or other appliances for carrying or using electricity for light, heat, or power

7

purposes, except as an employee of a holder of a Certificate E or A unless the holder of a

8

Certificate F is also registered as an oil a burner contractor and holds a Certificate E.

9

      (c) A holder of a Certificate AF is limited to fire alarm, fixtures, equipment for fire alarm

10

purposes only, and life safety equipment only unless the holder of a Certificate AF also holds a

11

Certificate BF.

12

      (d) A holder of a Certificate SCF is limited to electrical sign contracting only. A

13

Certificate CF is required for the actual installation of the electrical sign.

14

      (e) A holder of a Certificate LPC is limited to lightning protection contracting only. A

15

Certificate LPI is required for the actual installation of the lightning protection system.

16

     5-6-16. License fees. -- (a) All licenses issued by the division of professional regulation

17

for master electricians, all limited-license electricians, and all journeyperson electricians born in

18

odd years shall expire on the birthday of the individual qualifying for the license in odd years and

19

all licenses of master electricians, all limited-license electricians, and all journeyperson

20

electricians born in even years shall expire on the birthday of the individual qualifying for the

21

license in even years and all licenses may be renewed on or before their expiration date upon

22

payment of the appropriate, biennial renewal fee.

23

      (b) A fee of two hundred forty dollars ($240) shall be paid by each applicant for an

24

electrical contractor's license Class A; seventy-two dollars ($72.00) for a journeyperson

25

electrician's license Class B; two hundred forty dollars ($240) for a limited premises license Class

26

C; two hundred forty dollars ($240) for an oil a burner contractor's license Class E; seventy-two

27

dollars ($72.00) for an oil a burnerperson's license Class F; two hundred forty dollars ($240) for a

28

fire alarm contractor's license Class AF; seventy-two dollars ($72.00) for a fire alarm installer's

29

license Class BF; two hundred forty dollars ($240) for an electrical sign contractor's license SCF;

30

seventy-two dollars ($72.00) for a sign installer's license Class CF; and two hundred forty dollars

31

($240) for a limited maintenance license Class D.

32

      (c) A fee of two hundred forty dollars ($240) shall be paid by each applicant for a

33

lightning protection contractor's license Class LPC.

34

      (d) A fee of seventy-two dollars ($72.00) shall be paid by each applicant for a lightning

 

LC001642 - Page 8 of 14

1

protection installer's license LPI.

2

      (e) A fee of seventy-two dollars ($72.00) shall be paid by each applicant for a sign

3

renovation electrical license.

4

     5-6-19. Display of licenses. -- (a) Holders of Licenses B, F, BF, CF, M, A, E, AF, SCF,

5

LPC, and LPI shall be furnished by the division of professional regulation with evidence of

6

having been licensed in card form or otherwise, which shall be carried on the person of the

7

licensee and exhibited on request.

8

      (b) Any sign, listing, or advertisement of any type of a holder of those licenses shall

9

contain the holder's name, address, and license number; provided, only those persons, firms, or

10

corporations who are holders of a Class A license shall be permitted to advertise for the

11

employment of journeyperson or electrical apprentices.

12

     5-6-20.1. Mandatory continuing education. -- (a) On or before January 1, 1996, the

13

board of examiners of electricians shall, by regulation, establish a mandatory continuing

14

education program for all persons licensed under this chapter. The program is designed to ensure

15

current competency in each licensee's area of certification and/or licensing.

16

      (b) On and after January 1, 1997, no license under this chapter shall be renewed unless

17

the licensee demonstrates, in a manner prescribed by the board of examiners of electricians, that

18

he or she has successfully completed at least fifteen (15) clock hours of continuing education

19

pursuant to and in compliance with the mandatory continuing education program established

20

under this section.

21

      (c) The course of study to be conducted over the fifteen (15) hour clock period shall be

22

approved by the Rhode Island building commissioner's office board of examiners of electricians.

23

Course providers may include, but not be limited to, vocational schools, association seminars,

24

labor training programs, employee training programs and private instructors or inspectors and

25

must also be approved by the building commissioner's office. Instructors or inspectors shall be

26

Rhode Island licensed electrical contractors employed by or about to be employed by the

27

providers and be board approved. Instructors or inspectors must attend a preparation seminar held

28

by the Rhode Island building commissioner's office to be approved. That course shall be paid for

29

by individuals attending the course.

30

      (d) The mandatory continuing education requirement is limited to class A and class B

31

electricians.

32

      (e) Out-of-state residents that hold a Rhode Island electrical license are allowed to

33

submit a fifteen (15) hour continuing education credit from their state if it meets the Rhode Island

34

requirements and their state recognizes the Rhode Island continuing education certificates;

 

LC001642 - Page 9 of 14

1

      (f) Upon completion of the fifteen (15) clock hour course, an approved uniform

2

certificate of completion shall be issued. Licensees are required to submit this verification of

3

completion for license renewal. The continuing education credits shall be included in the

4

currently adopted edition of the National Electrical Code and the Building Officials and Code

5

Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA) International Code Council (ICC) national codes;

6

      (g) Only those approved instructors actually teaching a fifteen (15) clock hour course

7

shall be exempt from attending the fifteen (15) hour course.

8

     5-6-24. Apprentices -- Registration fee. -- (a) This chapter does not forbid the

9

employment of one properly limited registered apprentice electrician working with and under the

10

direct personal supervision of a licensed journeyperson electrician. Additionally, this chapter does

11

not forbid the employment of: (1) one properly registered apprentice oil burnerperson working

12

with and under the direct personal supervision of a licensed oil burnerperson; (2) one properly

13

registered apprentice fire alarm installer working with and under the direct personal supervision

14

of a licensed fire alarm installer; or (3) two (2) properly registered apprentice electrical sign

15

installer working with and under the direct personal supervision of a licensed electrical sign

16

installer; (4) one properly registered apprentice maintenance electrician working with and under

17

the direct personal supervision of a valid Class C or Class D license holder; or (5) one properly

18

registered apprentice lightning protection installer working with and under the direct personal

19

supervision of a licensed lightning protection installer (LPI). Apprentices are required to register

20

with the division of professional regulation initially upon payment of a fee of twenty dollars

21

($20.00) per year. Apprentices are required to register with the division of professional regulation

22

immediately upon employment with a properly licensed electrical contractor or lightning

23

protection contractor.

24

      (b) Indentured apprentice electricians are required to work a minimum of eight thousand

25

(8,000) hours over a period of time of not less than four (4) years and successfully complete one

26

hundred forty-four (144) hours of related instruction per year in an indentured apprenticeship

27

program approved by the Rhode Island department of labor and training, to qualify for the

28

journeyperson "B" electrician examination; provided, however, apprentices may receive credit for

29

one hundred forty-four (144) hours of classroom training gained in a vocational school authorized

30

by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education and approved by the Rhode

31

Island department of labor and training apprenticeship council. Provided, that the test applicant

32

has possessed for at least four (4) years prior to the filing of the application a certificate of

33

registration in full force and effect from the department of labor and training of Rhode Island

34

specifying the person as an indentured apprentice, and the application of an applicant is

 

LC001642 - Page 10 of 14

1

accompanied by an affidavit or affidavits of his or her employer or former employers or other

2

reasonably satisfactory evidence showing that the applicant has been actually engaged in

3

electrical work as an apprentice in Rhode Island during those four (4) years, or the application is

4

accompanied by an affidavit or other reasonably satisfactory evidence showing that the applicant

5

has successfully completed a course of study in a recognized college or university and has

6

pursued a course of electrical technology for at least two (2) academic years or is the recipient of

7

an associate degree in electrical technology, and has thereafter been indentured by the department

8

of labor and training as an apprentice for at least two (2) years and employed as an indentured

9

apprentice by a duly licensed electrician master in this state for a period of two (2) years, or a

10

showing that the applicant possesses a certificate of license issued under the laws of another state,

11

based on training equal to that required by the state of Rhode Island. Limited registered

12

apprentice electricians shall be required to work a minimum of four thousand (4,000) hours over a

13

period of time of not less than two (2) years.

14

      (c) Indentured apprentice maintenance electricians are required to work a minimum of

15

six thousand (6,000) hours over a period of time of not less than three (3) years and successfully

16

complete a one hundred forty-four (144) hours of related instruction per year in an indentured

17

apprenticeship program approved by the Rhode Island department of labor and training, to qualify

18

for the journeyperson "M" electrician examination. Provided, however, that the test applicant has

19

possessed for at least three (3) years prior to the filing of the application a certificate of

20

registration in full force and effect from the department of labor and training of Rhode Island

21

specifying the person as an indentured apprentice, and the application of an applicant is

22

accompanied by an affidavit or affidavits of his or her employer or former employers or other

23

reasonably satisfactory evidence showing that the applicant has been actually engaged in

24

electrical work as an apprentice in Rhode Island during those three (3) years. Class M

25

journeyperson electricians may qualify to take the journeyperson "B" electrician examination

26

upon registering as a fourth year apprentice and becoming employed by a properly licensed Class

27

A electrical contractor for that period of time.

28

      (d) Apprentice lightning protection installers are required to work a minimum of four

29

thousand (4,000) hours over a period of time of not less than two (2) years to qualify for the

30

lightning protection installer (LPI) examination. Provided, that the test applicant has possessed

31

for at least two (2) years prior to the filing of the application a certificate of registration in full

32

force and effect from the department of labor and training of Rhode Island specifying the person

33

as an apprentice lightning protection installer, and the application of an applicant is accompanied

34

by an affidavit or affidavits of his or her employer or former employers or other reasonably

 

LC001642 - Page 11 of 14

1

satisfactory evidence showing that the applicant has been actually engaged in lightning protection

2

work as an apprentice during those two (2) years.

3

     5-6-26. Compliance with requirements of division or of electric company. -- All

4

electrical work which is done in cities and towns not having their own rules and requirements

5

shall be done in accordance with any rules and requirements that are specified by the division of

6

professional regulation, or subject to its approval, by the public utilities having authority to

7

supply electricity in the place where the work is done. Any rules made or approved, shall be

8

based upon some definite the current adopted edition of the "National Electrical Code" with any

9

changes or additions that are deemed required. Failure of any licensee to do the work in that

10

manner shall be considered grounds for suspension or revocation of the license, in the discretion

11

of the division, after notice and a hearing before the board of examiners of electricians, and upon

12

recommendation to the director of labor and training.

13

     5-6-29. Persons and work exempt. -- (a) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:

14

      (1) The electrical work and equipment for the generation and primary distribution of

15

electric current, or the secondary distribution system up to and including the meters, where that

16

work and equipment is an integral part of the system owned and operated by an electric light and

17

power company in rendering its authorized service; or to the electrical work and electrical

18

equipment employed in connection with the manufacture and distribution of gas, where that work

19

and equipment is an integral part of the system owned and operated by a gas company in

20

rendering its authorized service.

21

      (2) The electrical work and equipment employed in connection with the operation of

22

signals, or the transmission of intelligence, where that work and equipment is an integral part of

23

the communication system owned and operated by a municipality or by a telegraph or telephone

24

company, or any community antenna television system (CATV) subject to regulation under title

25

39 by the division of public utilities or any subcontractor of a CATV system, including the work

26

of a telephone company of installing, repairing or replacing all wiring on the load side of the last

27

fused distribution point, and all of the emergency wiring installed, replaced, or repaired by a

28

telephone company; or any community antenna television system (CATV) subject to regulation

29

under title 39 by the division of public utilities or any subcontractor of such CATV system.

30

      (3) The electrical work and equipment in mines, ships, railway rolling stock, or

31

automotive equipment, or devices subject to the provisions of chapter 33 of title 23.

32

      (4) Any work involved in the manufacture, test, or repair of electrical equipment in the

33

manufacturer's plant, but not including any electrical wiring other than that required for testing

34

purposes.

 

LC001642 - Page 12 of 14

1

      (b) This chapter does not apply to installations in suitable laboratories of exposed

2

electrical wiring for experimental purposes only.

3

      (c) This chapter does not forbid the installation of electrical work in a single-family or

4

two-family dwelling on the immediate premises of the dwelling by the owner of the dwelling if

5

living on, or about to live on, the premises.

6

      (d) This chapter does not apply to any person who now holds or subsequently may hold

7

holds a hoisting engineer's license issued by the state and who excavates for and installs

8

underground conduits; provided, that hoisting engineers shall be prohibited from installing

9

electrical wiring and/or making the service connection of any such electrical wires and/or cables.

10

A city, town or such other authorized official shall issue a building permit to a licensed hoisting

11

engineer for excavation and installation of such underground conduits upon submission of a

12

completed application to the appropriate building official; provided, that a building permit will

13

not be required if the work is performed for an electric distribution company.

14

     5-6-32. Authority of director to assess penalty. -- (a) The director may assess an

15

administrative penalty on any person, firm, or corporation for any violation of the provisions of

16

this chapter, after notice and a hearing, before and upon the recommendation of the board of

17

examiners of electricians in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) one thousand five hundred

18

dollars ($1,500) for the first violation and nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) two thousand dollars

19

($2,000) for a subsequent violation. All funds collected by the labor and training department

20

under this section shall be placed in the restricted receipts account created pursuant to § 28-22-

21

1.1. This section is in addition to any other action provided by law for violations of this chapter.

22

      (b) The chief of the section shall act as an investigator with respect to the enforcement of

23

all the provisions of law relative to the licensing of electricians and, to this effect, whenever a

24

complaint is made by the chief of the section to the director of the department of labor and

25

training or his or her designee that the provisions of this chapter are being violated, the director of

26

the department of labor and training or his or her designee may issue an order to cease and desist

27

from that violation and may impose the above penalties against the violator and against the

28

contractor.

29

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001642

========

 

LC001642 - Page 13 of 14

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - ELECTRICIANS

***

1

     This act would include within the licensing and certification process issued and required

2

by the state board of electricians of the division of professional regulation of the department of

3

labor and training, the maintenance, servicing, and testing of certain electrical components, and

4

would amend outdated language and increase the penalties for violators of the chapter.

5

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001642

========

 

LC001642 - Page 14 of 14