2017 -- H 5290

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LC000352

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - ELECTRICIANS

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Maldonado, Coughlin, Casey, and Amore

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2017

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     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,

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

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

     5-6-1. Definitions.

     For purposes of this chapter:

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

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

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

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

service, maintenance, and installation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- 28.39 of title 23.

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

according to the Rhode Island fire safety code.

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

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

in case of fire.

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

conduits, apparatus, fixtures, and other appliances.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

air conditioning equipment.

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

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

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

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

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

     5-6-2. Work for which license required.

     (a) (1) No person, firm, or corporation shall enter into, engage in, solicit, advertise, bid

for, or work at the business of installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing wires, conduits,

apparatus, fixtures, electrical signs, lightning protection equipment as defined in § 5-6-1, and

other appliances for carrying or using or generating electricity for light, heat, fire alarms, as

defined in chapter 28.25 of title 23, entitled "Fire Alarm Systems", or power purposes, exclusive

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of low voltage wiring for heating/refrigeration equipment, or work at the business of removing

and reattaching existing electrical meters, unless that person, firm, or corporation shall have

received a license and a certificate for the business, issued by the state board of examiners of

electricians of the division of professional regulation of the department of labor and training in

accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     5-6-3. Devices and appliances inserted by unlicensed persons.

     Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to forbid the insertion in electrical circuits, by

unlicensed persons, of devices or appliances including, but not limited to, microwaves,

refrigerators, ranges, televisions, light bulbs, and the like that are properly designed for that

insertion and for which proper wire and insertion devices are installed.

     5-6-7. Forms of licenses.

     Fourteen (14) forms of licenses shall be issued:

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

contractor's license";

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

electrician's license";

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

license";

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

contractor's license";

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

burnerperson's license";

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

contractor's license";

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

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installer's license";

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

sign contractor's license";

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

installer's license";

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

maintenance license";

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

maintenance journeyperson license";

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

"lightning protection contractor's license";

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

"lightning protection installer's license"; and

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

"sign renovation electrical license".

     5-6-8. Contractor's certificates/licenses.

     (a) Electrical contractor's license. A Certificate A shall be issued to any person, firm, or

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

installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing electrical wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures, fire

alarm and safety communication systems, and other electrical appliances, excluding low-voltage

wiring for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment. The certificate shall specify the

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

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

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

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

to engage in or perform the actual work of installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing electric

wires, conduits, and or appliances as previously described in this chapter, but entitles him or her

to conduct business as an electrical contractor.

     (b) Oil burner Burner contractor's license. A Certificate E shall be issued to any person,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

required to obtain a Certificate E.

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

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

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

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

members, and in the case of a corporation is one of its officers, passing the examination by which

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

The holding of a Certificate AF does not entitle the holder individually to engage in, or perform

and work on, or in connection with, electric wires, fire alarm wires, conduits, and appliances as

previously described in this chapter, but entitles the holder to contract to do that work to the

extent permitted in this chapter through the employment of fire alarm installers holding a

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

Certificate BF.

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

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

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

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

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

lightning protection contractor as defined in § 5-6-1. The Certificate LPC shall specify the name

of the person, firm, or corporation applying for it and the person, who in the case of a firm, is one

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

which he or she or it is authorized to enter upon or engage in business as prescribed in the

certificate. The holding of a Certificate LPC does not entitle the holder individually to engage in,

or perform and work on, or in connection with, the installation of lightning protection equipment

as defined in § 5-6-1, unless that individual also holds a Certificate LPI, but entitles the holder to

contract to do that work to the extent permitted in this chapter through the employment of

lightning protection installers holding a Certificate LPI.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

one of its officers, meeting the requisite education and experience as established in § 5-6-11, by

which he or she or it is authorized to enter upon, or engage in, business as prescribed in the

certificate. The holding of a Certificate REP entitles the holder to contract to do that work to the

extent permitted in this chapter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

identified and acceptable by the authority having jurisdiction.

     5-6-10. Limited premises certificate/license.

     A Certificate C shall be issued to the department of transportation, state airport

corporation and manufacturing and industrial firms that regularly employ one or more Class B or

Class M journeyperson electricians for installation and when the work performed by those

individuals is limited to maintenance and repair of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, and

equipment on the premises owned or occupied by the applicant. The application must be made by

a responsible officer of the firm and contains a description of the premises within which work is

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to be done under the permit. All work must meet electrical and municipal codes and must be

permitted accordingly by the municipality.

     5-6-10.1. Limited maintenance license.

     A Certificate D shall be issued to municipalities, schools, hospitals, colleges, or other

non-manufacturing firms or establishments who regularly employ one or more licensed

electricians (journeyperson/Class B or Class M) when the work performed by those individuals is

limited to the maintenance of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, and equipment on the

premises owned or occupied by the applicant. The applicant mustcontain a description of the

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

municipal codes and must be permitted accordingly by the municipality.

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

installers, lightning protection installers and renewable energy professionals.

Certificate/license of burnerperson, fire alarm installer, electrical sign installers, lightning

protection installers and renewable energy professionals.

     (a) Oil burnerperson's Burnerperson's license. A Certificate F shall be granted to any

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

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

wiring and equipment located in or on oil burners burning fuel oil no heavier than No. 2, and

other equipment serviced by oil burner contractors, to the extent only as is necessary to install,

service, maintain and repair those oil burners and equipment. The license shall limit the holder of

a Certificate F to do work on electric wiring or equipment located between the meter and on those

oil burners and equipment and related components, but in no event to do any electrical work on

oil burners burning No. 3, 4, 5, or 6 fuel oil.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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and training shall issue a certificate of competency in the design and installation of renewable

energy systems to any person, firm, or corporation who or that has received a certification from a

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Certificate BF.

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

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

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

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

     5-6-16. License fees.

     (a) All licenses issued by the division of professional regulation for master electricians,

all limited-license electricians, and all journeyperson electricians born in odd years shall expire

on the birthday of the individual qualifying for the license in odd years and all licenses of master

electricians, all limited-license electricians, and all journeyperson electricians born in even years

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

licenses may be renewed on or before their expiration date upon payment of the appropriate,

biennial renewal fee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

lightning protection contractor's license Class LPC.

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

protection installer's license LPI.

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

renovation electrical license.

     5-6-19. Display of licenses.

     (a) Holders of Licenses B, F, BF, CF, M, A, E, AF, SCF, LPC, and LPI shall be furnished

by the division of professional regulation with evidence of having been licensed in card form or

otherwise, which shall be carried on the person of the licensee and exhibited on request.

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

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

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

employment of journeyperson or electrical apprentices.

     5-6-20.1. Mandatory continuing education.

     (a) On or before January 1, 1996, the board of examiners of electricians shall, by

regulation, establish a mandatory continuing education program for all persons licensed under

this chapter. The program is designed to ensure current competency in each licensee's area of

certification and/or licensing.

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

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

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

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

under this section.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by individuals attending the course.

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

electricians.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     5-6-24. Apprentices -- Registration fee.

     (a) This chapter does not forbid the employment of one properly limited registered

apprentice electrician working with and under the direct personal supervision of a licensed

journeyperson electrician. Additionally, this chapter does not forbid the employment of: (1) one

properly registered apprentice oil burnerperson working with and under the direct personal

supervision of a licensed oil burnerperson; (2) one properly registered apprentice fire alarm

installer working with and under the direct personal supervision of a licensed fire alarm installer;

or (3) two (2) properly registered apprentice electrical sign installer working with and under the

direct personal supervision of a licensed electrical sign installer; (4) one properly registered

apprentice maintenance electrician working with and under the direct personal supervision of a

valid Class C or Class D license holder; or (5) one properly registered apprentice lightning

protection installer working with and under the direct personal supervision of a licensed lightning

protection installer (LPI). Apprentices are required to register with the division of professional

regulation initially upon payment of a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) per year. Apprentices are

required to register with the division of professional regulation immediately upon employment

with a properly licensed electrical contractor or lightning protection contractor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A electrical contractor for that period of time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

shall be based upon some definite the current adopted edition of the "National Electrical Code"

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

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

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

and upon recommendation to the director of labor and training.

     5-6-29. Persons and work exempt.

     (a) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:

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

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

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

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

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

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

rendering its authorized service.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

purposes.

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

electrical wiring for experimental purposes only.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     (5) This chapter shall not apply to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited

liability company or other business entity who holds or subsequently holds a certificate of

registration as required by the Rhode Island department of environmental management for work

in the operation, installation, maintenance, servicing, and testing of onsite wastewater treatment

systems and its equipment and related components; provided, however, this shall not permit any

electric wiring or equipment maintenance between the electric meter and the onsite wastewater

treatment system.

     5-6-32. Authority of director to assess penalty.

     (a) The director may assess an administrative penalty on any person, firm, or corporation

for any violation of the provisions of this chapter, after notice and a hearing, before and upon the

recommendation of the board of examiners of electricians in the amount of five hundred dollars

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

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dollars ($950) two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a subsequent violation. All funds collected by

the labor and training department under this section shall be placed in the restricted receipts

account created pursuant to § 28-22-1.1. This section is in addition to any other action provided

by law for violations of this chapter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

contractor.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - ELECTRICIANS

***

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

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

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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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