Why Licensing is Necessary
Commercial services involve some of the most complex electrical systems out there that aren’t short of risks, so licensing is not just a formality, it’s a legal requirement and a critical component in ensuring safety. An inexperienced electrician can make errors that lead to electrical fires, property damage, or even injury and death. Licensing not only helps prevent this, but also protects you from any legal action or costs associated with a worst-case scenario.
Through licensing, our state ensures that only the most qualified electricians are doing business in our communities and supports a standard of accountability. Keeping current with building codes, industry standards, and safety regulations is mandatory for Colorado commercial electrical contractors, which lowers the possibility of hazardous or poor workmanship.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Colorado
Ensuring your business gets the work that it needs done means certifying your contractors have the right licensing. There are two categories of electrical licensing in the state of Colorado. There are individual licenses and company licenses. There are four levels for an individual person to be licensed or registered. There is one way a company can be licensed as a contractor. No person, licensed or not, can perform electrical work without working under a licensed electrical contractor. Every electrical contractor is required to have a Master Electrician that is the supervising electrician and is ultimately responsible for every electrician working under their license. Let’s cover the types of licenses in Colorado:
Electrical Apprentice
Any individual that practices electrical work or presents themselves as an electrician must be registered with the Department of Regulatory Agencies or DORA. An individual that is not a licensed electrician must be registered with DORA as an electrical apprentice. These are people that have started their journey to becoming a licensed electrician but have not yet successfully completed their apprenticeship. There are no pre-requisites to being an apprentice. All apprentices must work under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
Residential Wireman License
To obtain an RW license, the applicant must complete 4,000 hours of residential work under the supervision of a Master Electrician. As the most basic license, it allows an electrician to install and repair electrical wiring in residential settings. An individual with this license level is still considered an apprentice and must remain registered as an apprentice when it comes to commercial and industrial settings.
Journeyman Electrician License
To obtain a Journeyman’s license, the applicant must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. 4,000 of those hours must be commercial or industrial. They must also complete 288 hours of classroom training, which can be obtained in a variety of ways. This license is obtained by applying and successfully passing a written exam. This is the standard license for a commercial electrical contractor or residential. At this point, a Journeyman is considered a licensed electrician and may work without direct supervision on projects. Most electricians do not proceed beyond this level unless they plan to start their own business. All Journeymen electricians must still perform all electrical work under an electrical contractor’s license.
Master Electrician License
To obtain a Master’s license, the applicant must possess a Journeyman license and document an additional 2,000 hours of planning and layout experience. A Master electrician now has the ability to create or assume supervisory roles over an Electrical Contractor’s license. The supervising Master is ultimately responsible for all work that is completed under their license. They are responsible for overseeing all electrical work as well as supervising apprentices and ensuring the proper ratio of licensed and apprentice electricians on jobsites. The Master is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations set forth by DORA.
Electrical Contractor License
An electrical contractor license is required to start a firm as a Colorado commercial electrical contractor. This license allows the hiring of electricians and accepting contracts for residential or commercial electrical work. Eligibility requires either holding a master electrician license or employing someone who does. No entity is allowed to perform electrical work without being a licensed electrical contractor.
Licensing Steps for Colorado Commercial Electrical Contractors
There are several essential processes involved in obtaining a Colorado electrical contractor license:
- Education and Experience: It can take hundreds of hours of instruction and on-the-job experience to be qualified to even start applying for a license. This is most often done through an apprenticeship program, or under a qualified supervisor.
- Pass the Licensing Exam: Once one has hit their hours, they will have to pass an exam administered by Colorado which demonstrates understanding of safety procedures, electrical systems, and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Apply for the License: The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) provides journeyman, master, and electrical contractor licenses. To complete the application procedure, electricians must send in proof of insurance, experience and educational records, and the necessary application costs. The applicant must meet all requirements set forth by DORA, which includes passing background checks and other stipulations.
- Stay Up to Date: To keep current on electrical codes and technologies, it's critical to finish continuing education courses after receiving a license. Typically, license renewals are necessary every three years, and noncompliance with continuing education requirements may result in suspension or revocation.
How To Know if Your Contractor or Electrician Is Licensed?
Anyone can visit the Department of Regulatory Agencies website to check the license status of any licensed professional in the state. This includes nurses, chiropractors, dentists, hairstylists, electricians, plumbers, and many more. Anyone who claims to be an electrician can have their license verified. Anyone hiring a professional for a project should ensure their personnel and the business itself are licensed to perform the work they are advertising. Any revocation or stipulation enforced by the state is also public record.
We Are Licensed and Insured and Ready to Help
At P&L Electric, we take pride in being fully licensed and insured Colorado commercial electrical contractors. Our team has decades of experience delivering electrical solutions for businesses across Colorado, from new installations to repairs and electrical maintenance plans. We pledge to offer excellent work that surpasses expectations and complies with safety regulations.
Get in touch with us now to talk about your project and allow us to share the significant benefits of using a licensed contractor.