2017 -- H 5615

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LC000195

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - ELECTRICIANS

     Introduced By: Representative Marvin L. Abney

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Corporations

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-6-20.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-6 entitled "Electricians"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     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. 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 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) national codes;

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

course shall be exempt from attending the fifteen (15) hour course. In addition, currently certified

electrical inspectors and Class A or B license holders 65 years of age or older shall be exempt

from attending the fifteen (15) hour course.

     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

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     This act would exempt electricians 65 years of age and older from certain continuing

education requirements.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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