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Unlicensed Electricians in California

S

seanmark

SAWHORSE
Joined
Nov 6, 2023
Messages
3
Location
Northernest California
Greetings,

I am a newer inspector for a small city in northern California and extremely glad to have found this forum. Thank you for passing your knowledge on, I have learned a lot from the content you all have contributed!

I was surprised to learn from the California Contractors State License Board that anyone can do electrical work on commercial buildings if they work under somebody who holds a General Contractor's license. Due to some of the poor workmanship (and hazards) that I have witnessed in the field, I have recently been testing the waters of having Licensing be a requirement for electricians who do any commercial work, via a Municipal Code.

Any guidance or advice? Are there any other Municipalities that have similar requirements?

Thanks!
 
Take a look at this California Gov. website. There are rules already in place. The rules are never enforced. Crescent City is not a place that will take kindly to any experiments affecting the status quo. While I applaud your initiative, you're a new guy that should probably back off.

And before I go, let me say welcome to the forum... this place is just what a newer inspector needs.

www.dir.ca.gov

general electrician

general electrician
www.dir.ca.gov www.dir.ca.gov
 
Last edited:
Does the local jurisdiction have the legal authority to regulate electrical contractors?

Given that the State already has licensed contractors I believe the answer is NO.
 
Additionally check out this site:

CSLB-Home -CSLB

www2.cslb.ca.gov www2.cslb.ca.gov

There's some good info to be found there. I agree with @ICE, although I probably would have said it differently... Technically a general contractor can do electrical work when the general scope of work includes multiple trades. It gets a bit dicey when you start saying "work under somebody" because that implies being an employee. If legitimately an employee (insurance, workers comp, etc.) then probably okay. A "subcontractor" would not be covered.

Local amendments can be done, if done correctly. Check out CBC 1.1.8. They have to be properly filed and approved to be legit.

Although I hate to admit it because he's such a PITA, I agree with @Mark K here too. I don't think it's your responsibility to regulate this in the field.
 
Ask your jurisdiction's, lawyer if your local licensing restrains competition. When the answer is yes then ask if the "state action doctrine" immunity from antitrust liability applies Note that the immunity only applies to actions by the Legislature.
 
Mark K said:
Ask your jurisdiction's, lawyer if your local licensing restrains competition. When the answer is yes then ask if the "state action doctrine" immunity from antitrust liability applies Note that the immunity only applies to actions by the Legislature.
Click to expand...
That's good information, thanks!
 
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