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Guide to Getting Your North Carolina Electrical License

Guide to Getting Your North Carolina Electrical License

Today, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about securing your electrical license in North Carolina. Whether you’re aiming for a limited, intermediate, or unlimited license, the North Carolina Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors outlines clear paths to achieve your goals. Let’s explore what each classification entails and how you can get started.

Understanding the License Classifications

Each license classification comes with its own set of requirements and limitations. The limited, intermediate, and unlimited licenses all serve different professional needs. Here’s a detailed look at what each license allows and the work experience required to qualify.

Limited License

The limited license is the starting point for many electrical contractors. It has two main restrictions. First, you can’t take on jobs exceeding $100,000. Second, you can’t work on projects involving wiring with voltages over 600 volts. To qualify, you need at least 3,000 hours of electrical work experience, with 2,000 of those hours being hands-on work compliant with the National Electrical Code.

Intermediate License

Moving up to an intermediate license allows you to take on larger projects, up to $200,000. While there’s no voltage restriction, the experience requirement increases significantly. You need 5,750 hours of electrical experience, with 5,000 hours being direct, hands-on work. Knowing the National Electrical Code inside and out is important as you’ll be tested heavily on it during the exam.
Unlimited License

The unlimited license is the pinnacle, allowing you to take on projects of any size. To qualify, you need a whopping 9,000 hours of supervised electrical work experience, with 8,000 hours being direct hands-on work. Again, all work must adhere to the National Electrical Code, and you’ll need to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of it during your exam.

Real-World Lessons: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

In our experience representing clients, we’ve seen cases where contractors have faced disciplinary actions for exceeding their license limits. Let me share a story to illustrate the importance of adhering to your license limitations.

We had a client with an intermediate license who took on a job that was slightly above their license limit—just $50,000 to $70,000 over. They signed a contract and pulled a permit. However, the permitting department caught the discrepancy, and our client faced potential sanctions, including suspension. Fortunately, they were already in the process of obtaining an unlimited license, which we secured before the hearing. This correction helped us avoid severe penalties.

This story underscores the importance of staying within your license limits. Even a small overage can lead to disciplinary actions, potentially disrupting your business operations.

Staying Within Your License Limits
It’s important to monitor the scope and value of your contracts closely. For instance, if you have an intermediate license, a project valued at $190,000 is within your limit. However, adding additional work through change orders could push you over the $200,000 threshold, inviting disciplinary action from the board.
  • Always verify the total project cost, including labor and materials.
  • Be cautious of change orders that could increase the project’s total value beyond your license limit.
  • Keep meticulous records of contracts, invoices, and receipts to support your compliance with licensing regulations.
Hiring Practices and Compliance
In the electrical industry, hiring practices can also impact your compliance. Many electricians believe they can hire other licensed electricians as independent contractors (1099). However, this is only permissible if done through a temp agency. If you’re an electrical contractor looking to hire, ensure you’re following the proper procedures to avoid potential legal issues.
*Nothing in this blog establishes an attorney-client relationship. Nothing in this blog is legal advice. If you have any questions, please check out our other blogs and our Youtube channel. You can also call us at 919-521-8810 with questions.