1400 Board of Electrical Examiners

2.1 Applications may be obtained on the Division of Professional Regulation (“Division”) website. Applications must be made in the name of the individual, not a company. The Board shall approve the application form to ensure that it contains all of the information necessary to satisfy the statutory requirements for licensure.

2.0 Applications

2.2 Applications which are incomplete shall be retained for 1 year to allow an applicant the opportunity to supplement the application. After 1 year, incomplete applications are destroyed. Thereafter, an applicant must resubmit a new application with the appropriate fee.

2.3 Applications approved for testing will be valid for 2 years from the date approved for examination. If the test is not taken, the application is destroyed. Thereafter, an applicant must resubmit a current application with the appropriate fee.

3.1 An applicant shall submit proof of qualifications verified by affidavit on a form approved by the Board. Proof of experience requires an affidavit from the supervising licensed electrician describing the nature of the experience. If an applicant cannot obtain the required affidavit from the supervising licensed electrician, W‑2 tax forms showing full‑time employment may be substituted at the discretion of the Board. The required experience and training must be completed prior to taking the licensure exam.

3.0 Qualifications

3.2 Applicants relying on military training and experience must submit official documentation from the supervising officials showing type and approximate hours of work experience. Other official military documentation that reliably verifies military training and experience may be accepted at the discretion of the Board when supervisory officials are not available or cannot be located.

3.3 The requirement of 2 years of technical training under 24 Del.C. §1408 (a)(1)(c) can be met by successful completion of 2 years of technical training related to electrical technology in a vocational/technical high school or by completion of 48 credit hours in technical training related to electrical technology at an accredited post-secondary school.

3.4 The experience necessary under 24 Del.C. §1408 to qualify for a particular license must relate to the activity authorized by such a license as defined in 24 Del.C. §1402(1), (10), (12) - (15), and (17).

3.4.1 Because the full scope of a journeyperson electrician's training includes experience in commercial and industrial electrical applications, at least 4,000 of the 8,000 hours of full-time experience performing electrical work required by 24 Del.C. §1408(a)(5)(b)(2) must be under the supervision of a licensed master electrician.

3.4.2 4,000 hours of full-time experience as an apprentice electrician under the supervision of a limited electrician may be applied to the experience for the journeyperson electrician license required by 24 Del.C. §1408(a)(5)(b)(2).

3.4.3 6,000 hours of full-time experience as an apprentice electrician under the supervision of either a limited electrician or a master electrician may be applied to the requirement of 6,000 hours for a limited electrician license required by 24 Del.C. §1408(a)(2).

3.4.4 The limited electrician license may be applied as 4,000 hours toward the requirements for a journeyperson license (24 Del.C. §1408(a)(5)(b)(2)) or master electrician license (24 Del.C. §1408(a)(1)(b)). A limited electrician may gain the additional required experience on commercial and industrial work under the supervision of a master electrician. The limited electrician will not be permitted to supervise apprentice electricians or journeyperson electricians on commercial or industrial work.

3.4.5 Any full-time experience as an apprentice electrician gained under the supervision of an electrician holding a specialty license under 24 Del.C. §1408(a)(3) or (a)(4) may only be applied to the specific specialty license type.

6 DE Reg. 1495 (05/01/03)

As a condition of licensure, applicants shall obtain a grade of 75% on the Division-approved test. Only the National Electrical Code Book can be used during the test as a reference. Applicants should submit a completed application with all necessary credentials for Board approval at least 45 days before the test is given. As long as the credentials have been approved, a license may issue from the Division of Professional Regulation upon proof of obtaining a passing score on the test, proof of insurance (in accordance with subsection 6.1), and payment of the fee as provided herein. A member of the Board may attend the examination. All scores will be presented to the Board at the first meeting after the examination results are available. The roster of persons qualified for licensure will appear in the minutes.

4.0 Examinations

6.0 License and Insurance

5.0 [Reserved]

6.1 Licensees with the exception of journeyperson, residential, and apprentice electricians shall maintain general liability insurance of at least $300,000. Proof of insurance must be submitted with licensure applications and maintenance of the required insurance during the licensure period shall be attested to in the course of each licensure renewal.

6.2 The insurance requirement is satisfied for a licensee who is performing work as an employee as long as the employer is insured for the risk on the work performed as required under these regulations. A licensee who also works independently from his employer must maintain separate insurance for that risk as provided under these regulations.

6.3 Master and Limited Special Elevator Electricians do not need general liability insurance if the licensee’s employer has general liability insurance. Elevator applicants and licensees agree to work only for an elevator company who maintains a general liability insurance policy for all of its employees, in the minimum amount of $300,000.

7.0 Expiration and Renewal

7.1 The licenses granted by the Board must be renewed by June 30 of each even numbered year, otherwise, they expire as of July 1.

7.2 Renewal. It is the responsibility of the licensee to file a renewal application with the Board. The Board is not required to notify licensees of expiration dates. Renewal may be accomplished online at www.dpr.delaware.gov.

7.2.1 Renewal applications will be randomly audited by the Board to ensure their accuracy. Licensees selected for random audit will be notified of that selection within 60 days after the renewal deadline. Licensees must then submit the documentation requested by the date indicated on the audit notice.

7.2.2 As a condition of renewal, applicants must attest to completion of continuing education (CE) as required by Section 8.0 and must also attest to maintenance of the liability insurance required by Section 6.0. Attestation shall be completed electronically. Licensees selected for random audit will be required to supplement their attestations with documentation of CE attendance and maintenance of insurance both at the time of renewal and during the biennial period that is the subject of the audit.

7.2.3 As a condition to renewal, apprentice electricians who have not completed an apprentice or residential apprentice program must attest to satisfactory compliance with progress toward the completion of an apprentice or residential apprentice program with the stated goal of attaining a journeyperson electrician license under 24 Del.C. §1408(a)(5) or a residential electrician license under 24 Del.C. §1408(a)(6). Apprentice electricians who have not completed an apprentice or residential apprentice program who are registered with the Delaware Department of Labor ("DOL") shall be considered in compliance with these requirements unless the Board is notified otherwise by the DOL.

7.2.3.1 For those apprentice electricians who have not completed an apprentice or residential apprentice program and who are not registered with the DOL, compliance with progress toward the completion of an apprentice or residential apprentice program is considered the completion of the number of hours of related classroom instruction and number of hours of practical experience relative to the amount of time the apprentice electrician has been working. The standard for compliance for an apprentice program is 144 hours of classroom instruction per each of the 4 years of the apprentice program and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training per each year for the total requirement of 8,000 hours.

7.2.3.1.1 Compliance with subsection 8.4 regarding continuing education shall satisfy the apprentice electrician's classroom educational requirements.

7.2.3.1.2 Upon license renewal, apprentice who have not completed an apprentice or residential apprentice program and who are not registered with the DOL must attest to the compliance with the job-related training requirements.

7.2.3.2 An apprentice electrician who has not completed an apprentice or residential apprentice program and who does not, without good cause, maintain progress toward the completion of the apprentice or residential apprentice program may have their license terminated.

7.3 A licensee may renew an expired license within 1 year after the renewal deadline by meeting all requirements and paying a late fee set by the Division. All late renewals will be audited for compliance with the CE and insurance renewal requirements.

7.4 A licensed electrical inspection agency may renew an expired license within 45 days after the renewal deadline by meeting all requirements and paying a late fee set by the Division.

7.5 A licensee with an active license may request in writing to be placed on inactive status. Inactive status can be renewed electronically on a biennial basis by attestation of completing the required CE for licensure. Inactive licenses may be reactivated by the Board upon written request with proof of insurance (as required in accordance with Section 6.0) and payment of the appropriate fee set by the Division.

7.6 A licensee is not authorized to work as a licensed electrician in this State during the period of inactive status.

7.7 An individual whose license has expired for more than 1 year must reapply as a new applicant. Any prior training and experience can be used to satisfy the requirements under 24 Del.C. §1408(a). However, the applicant must take the examination required by 24 Del.C. §1408(5) and achieve a passing score unless he or she previously passed an approved licensure test that covered the National Electric Code that is the standard in Delaware at the time of the new application.

9 DE Reg. 260 (08/01/05)

11 DE Reg. 812 (12/01/07)

21 DE Reg. 903 (05/01/18)

8.1 Continuing education (CE) is required of all licensees and shall be completed by June 30 of any year in which a license is to be renewed. Extra continuing education hours do not carry over to the next licensing period. Licensees will only get CE credit for their first attendance of CE courses during each licensing period. Licensees may retake a CE course in the same licensing period but will not receive additional CE credit.

8.0 Continuing Education

8.2 Courses must be approved by the Board in order to qualify as CE. Approved courses appear on the website of the Division of Professional Regulation at www.dpr.delaware.gov. Licensees may also contact the Administrative Specialist of the Board at the Division of Professional Regulation to determine whether particular courses have been approved.

8.2.1 Courses shall be designed to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills of licensees related to providing electrical services.

8.2.2 Sponsors or licensees can obtain Board approval of courses at any time by completing a form approved by the Board and including a course outline with the number of classroom hours showing breakdown of time allotted for each part of course content, the curriculum vitae or resume of the instructor and the appropriate fee set by the Division. The completed application will be presented for review at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

8.2.3 Sponsors or licensees seeking pre-approval should submit the request as provided in subsection 8.2.2 at least 60 days before the CE course is being offered.

8.2.4 Approval of CE automatically expires on September 1, 2002 and every 3 years thereafter on each September 1. A sponsor or licensee must reapply for approval as provided in subsection 8.2.2.

8.3 Licensees shall complete 10 hours of approved CE during each renewal period with the following exceptions - a person licensed less than 1 year does not need to complete CE at the first renewal; a person licensed 1 year but less than 2 years must submit 5 CE hours at the first renewal. Beginning with the licensee’s second renewal, 5 of the 10 CE hours required for renewal must be related to the National Electrical Code.

8.4 Journeyperson, residential, and apprentice electricians shall complete 5 hours of approved CE during each renewal period with the following exceptions – a person licensed less than 1 year does not need to complete CE at the first renewal; a person licensed 1 year but less than 2 years must submit 2 CE hours at the first renewal. Apprentice training (proof of enrollment in a Board approved apprenticeship program) will count towards CE hours during that licensure period.

8.5 The Board may consider a waiver of CE requirements or acceptance of partial fulfillment based on the Board’s review of a written request with supporting documentation of hardship.

9 DE Reg. 1252 (02/01/06)

9.0 Loss of License Holder

9.1 A procedure permitting temporary practice after loss of a licensee to avoid business interruption is provided in 24 Del.C. §1418 and is necessary only where there is no currently employed licensee to assume the duties of the former license holder.

9.2 The notification must include documentation of the business relationship with the former license holder.

10.0 Exceptions

10.1 No license is required for performing electrical work by the following persons or entities:

10.1.1 Any of the following individuals working in a manufacturing or industrial facility:

10.1.1.1 An electrical engineer who is recognized by their company as the person responsible for facility repairs, maintenance, or electrical additions, and who is registered with the Board, or a professional electrical engineer who is registered with the Board and who is licensed and listed on the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers;

10.1.1.2 An electrical engineer or electrical engineering technician, recognized by the manufacturing or industrial company as qualified, working in a laboratory environment conducting basic research and development;

10.1.1.3 An "in-house" electrical engineer, electrical engineering technician, or other person conducting research and development building and testing a custom panel designed by the company and not commercially available, provided that such exception shall not extend to the permanent installation of the equipment;

10.1.1.4 For purposes of subsection 10.1.1, the phrase “registered with the Board” shall require the engineer to provide the Board with a written document briefly explaining the nature of the electrician’s responsibilities. In addition, the registering engineer shall provide evidence satisfactory to the Board which demonstrates competency to properly supervise journeyperson electricians.

10.1.2 The Department of Transportation, or a contractor, for work performed by or under the supervision of the Department of Transportation for the installation, erection, construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of drawbridges and traffic control devices.

10.1.3 Persons working beyond the main breaker or fuse of 200 amps or less in a structure used exclusively for agriculture.

10.1.4 Persons performing the work of any light or power company, electric or steam railway company, telegraph, high voltage certified testing agency or telephone company when the work is part of the plant or service used in rendering authorized service to the public such as power delivery by an electric company. This exception ends at the point of service, termination box, or demarcation point.

10.1.5 A homeowner who has obtained a homeowner’s permit provided by law.

10.1.6 A communication and low voltage contractor that installs, services and maintains all types of communication and low voltage systems which are energy limited. These systems include telephone systems, sound systems, cable television systems, closed circuit video systems, satellite dish antennas, instrumentation and temperature controls, low voltage landscape lighting, directional boring, networking systems, communication systems, and security and burglar systems. Low voltage fire alarm systems are specifically not included in this section.

10.1.7 Fire Alarm Signaling Licensees issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

10.1.8 Persons working for the organization Habitat for Humanity or on USDA Rural Development Self Help Housing Projects. The work still needs to be inspected by a licensed electrician.

10.1.9 Factory trained, authorized and employed representatives; provided such persons do only maintenance, start up, commissioning and repair work directly on their factory manufactured equipment and may not supervise non-licensees as part of such work.

25 DE Reg. 962 (04/01/22)

11.2 If the reciprocal state’s requirements are not substantially similar to those of this State, as determined by the Board, the applicant shall submit proof of practice under the submitted current license for at least 5 years after licensure. Proof of practice requires an employer’s affidavit describing the nature of the applicant’s experience. If an applicant cannot obtain an affidavit from the employer, W‑2 forms or other tax documents showing 5 years full‑time employment may be substituted at the discretion of the Board.

11.0 Reciprocity

11.1 An applicant for licensure by reciprocity shall complete an application approved by the Board and as required by 24 Del.C. §1409(a) present proof of current licensure in good standing to the Board from the licensing agencies of all jurisdictions where the applicant is or has been licensed. A license is not a current license if it is inactive, has lapsed, has expired, has been suspended, or has been revoked. An applicant for licensure under this provision must submit to the Board a copy of reciprocal state’s current licensure requirements.

11.3 A reciprocal state's requirements for master electrician will be deemed substantially similar to those of this State under 24 Del.C. §1409(a)-(b) if that state requires, at a minimum:

11.3.1 6 years full-time experience under supervision of a licensed master;

11.3.2 Passing the National Electrical Code Exam recognized by the Board;

11.3.3 Proof of 5 hours continuing education based on the National Electric Code; and

11.3.4 Inspection of electrical work by qualified inspectors as defined by 24 Del.C. §1421 and subsection 15.3 of this regulation.

11.4 A reciprocal state's requirements for journeyperson electrician will be deemed substantially similar to those of this State under 24 Del.C. §1409(a)-(b) if that state requires, at a minimum:

11.4.1 4 years full-time experience under supervision of a licensed master electrician;

11.4.2 Passing a licensing test administered by a Board recognized testing entity; and

11.4.3 Proof of 5 hours continuing education based on the National Electric Code as adopted by the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission.

6 DE Reg. 1495 (05/01/03)

12.0 Required Inspection.

12.1 Every licensee, with the exception of journeyperson, residential, and apprentice electricians, shall file an application for an inspection by a licensed inspection agency no later than 5 working days after the commencement of electrical work. The inspection agency shall perform an inspection no later than 5 working days after the inspection has been requested. It shall be beyond the scope of a journeyperson, residential, or apprentice electrician to file for an inspection for electrical work.

12.2 An application for an inspection shall be filed with the inspection agency on a form, signed by the licensee, or person authorized under subsections 12.7, 12.8, or 12.9, containing at least the following information:

12.2.1 Full names of the licensee and any job foreman

12.2.2 License number, type (T-1, T-2, or Specialty) and expiration date

12.2.3 Date inspection requested

12.2.4 Location of work to be inspected

12.2.5 Permit numbers, if applicable

12.2.6 Applicant’s name and contact information, if other than the licensee

12.2.7 A detailed description of the work to be inspected including any devices or equipment

12.2.8 Signature of the licensee

12.3 A licensee who signs an application for inspection form is deemed to have authorized and shall be responsible for the work described in the form.

12.4 An inspection agency shall not conduct an inspection of work performed until it has received a request made in compliance with subsection 12.2.

12.5 An inspection agency is responsible to ensure that the standards for its inspection are those established in the National Electric Code as adopted by the Delaware Fire Commission and in any applicable local building code. The version of the Code applicable to a particular project is determined by the Delaware Fire Commission.

12.6 An inspection report shall be recorded legibly on a form containing at least the following information:

12.6.1 Full name of the licensee

12.6.2 License number, type (T-1, T-2, or Specialty) and expiration date

12.6.3 Location of work to be inspected

12.6.4 Permit numbers

12.6.5 Inspector’s full name

12.6.6 A detailed description of the work inspected

12.6.7 Deficiencies noted, any applicable NEC section, and inspection dates

12.6.8 Signature of inspector

12.6.9 Date inspection completed.

12.7 Any professional engineer excepted from licensure shall at least annually file with the Board a certificate of inspection by a licensed inspection agency and a letter stating that all repairs, maintenance, and additions to a manufacturing or industrial plant meet the Standards of the National Electrical Code. The annual inspection should include a representative sampling of the work performed by the authority of the responsible professional engineer.

12.8 Any person performing electrical work on agricultural structures excepted from licensure shall nevertheless obtain a certificate of inspection from a licensed inspection agency for new installations.

12.9 Any person authorized to perform work by a homeowner’s permit shall obtain a final inspection as provided in Section 12.0 by an inspection agency licensed by the Board.

12.10 Fire Alarm Signaling Licensees installing conductors covered under the licensing requirements of the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall nevertheless obtain a certificate of inspection from a licensed inspection agency for new installations prior to filing for a final inspection from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This rule will be effective 12/31/2012.

7 DE Reg. 1167 (03/01/04)

13.0 Organization of the Board

13.1 Election of Officers. Annually during the July meeting, the Board shall elect officers to serve for a 1 year term from September 1- August 31.

13.2 Duties of the Officers

13.2.1 President. The president shall preside at all meetings, designate subordinates when provided by law, sign correspondence on behalf of the Board, and perform other functions inherent in the position. In conducting meetings or hearings, the President may limit or exclude evidence as provided under the Administrative Procedures Act unless overruled by a majority of the Board.

13.2.2 Vice President. The Vice President assumes the duties and powers of the President when the President is unavailable.

13.2.3 Secretary. The Secretary assumes the duties and powers of the President when neither the President nor the Vice President is available.

13.2.4 Complaint officer. The complaint officer shall be a member who works with the investigator of the Division of Professional Regulation when complaints are investigated pursuant to 29 Del.C. §8807. The complaint officer shall report to the Board when complaints are closed and recuse himself or herself from participating in disciplinary hearings involving matters that have been reviewed in his or her capacity as complaint officer.

13.2.5 Education officer. The education officer may review courses submitted for continuing education approval and makes recommendations to the Board.

13.3 Meeting Minutes. The minutes of each meeting are taken by the Administrative Specialist from the Division of Professional Regulation and approved by the Board.

14.1 The Division of Professional Regulation is authorized to issue homeowners’ permits pursuant to an application process approved by the Board. Only owner-occupants who perform the work themselves qualify for homeowners’ permits. The homeowner is required submit their plan for the work to be completed to 1 of the Board-approved Electrical Inspection Agencies for review and approval. The homeowner will then submit the approved plan to the Division of Professional Regulation with the homeowner's application for the Board's consideration.

14.0 Homeowners Permits

14.2 Homeowners’ permits are required for new construction, renovation, and any work that requires a building permit. Generally, homeowners’ permits are not required for replacement in kind.

14.3 A homeowner shall not be permitted to install the homeowner’s own internal wiring, electrical work or equipment associated with a hot tub or a swimming pool.

14.4 A homeowner’s permit issued for a mobile home on a leased lot authorizes feeder installation for the mobile home itself and it does not include the installation or repair of service equipment.

14.5 A homeowner’s permit is not authorized until a dwelling is on the site or under construction.

14.6 For the purposes of this section, evidence of homeownership can be a:

14.6.1 Deed to the property;

14.6.2 A long term lease, e.g. 99 years, if the site of the dwelling is part of a community where title to the land is not conveyed by deed to the homeowner.

14.6.3 The title to a mobile home;

14.6.4 A written contract of sale, signed by the parties, for a mobile home that includes the names of the buyer, seller, contract price, date of sale, and identification number of the mobile home.

14.7 If a homeowner’s permit is approved for a 1-family dwelling unit on a lot, other non-commercial structures on the same lot, such as a non-commercial garage, are also covered unless otherwise prohibited under this section.

14.8 Homeowner permits may only be issued for free standing non-commercial structures and 1 family dwelling units.

9 DE Reg. 260 (08/01/05)

26 DE Reg. 491 (12/01/22)

15.2 No inspection agency will be approved until it produces proof of general liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 and errors and omissions insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000.

15.0 Inspection agencies

15.1 Inspection agencies shall be licensed in accord with the provisions of 24 Del.C. §1421 in order to operate in Delaware. An application on a form approved by the Board must be filed at the Division of Professional Regulation. Licenses must be renewed annually on June 30 by completing the renewal form and paying the fee determined by the Division.

15.3 Inspection agencies must submit, to the Division of Professional Regulation, the names of its employees who are inspectors and proof of compliance with the statutory requirements for inspectors. Inspectors must have 7 years of experience in residential, commercial, or industrial wiring. Proof of experience shall be submitted by affidavit of the named employer, a tax form W-2, or tax Schedule C. The experience requirement for an inspector employed by an approved inspection agency on July 20, 1999 is satisfied with 7 years of inspection experience. Each inspector shall also submit a passing score for the Electrical 1 and 2 family dwelling and the Electrical General examinations within 18 months of employment and the Electrical Plan Review examination within 24 months of employment. For inspectors employed by the inspection agency on July 20, 1999, the time for taking said examinations shall run from the date these regulations become effective and not the date first employed.

15.4 An employee of an inspection agency shall confirm that the person who has filed for an inspection is a licensee under this chapter, a homeowner having a permit, or a person who has performed work allowed under an exception to licensure. Licensure verification is available online, free of charge at www.dpr.delaware.gov.

15.5 If a violation found in an inspection is not corrected within 15 days as provided in 24 Del.C. §1421(g), the inspection agency shall notify the Board in writing and include a copy of the notice of violation. The Division of Professional Regulation will send, on behalf of the Board, the notice of violation to the other inspection agencies and to any local building inspector having jurisdiction over the structure.

15.6 An inspection agency shall notify the Board in writing within 10 days when an employee leaves the agency or when a new employee is hired by the agency. This notification shall include the full name and address of the inspector. The date a new employee is hired by an inspection agency marks the beginning of the period in which the inspection examinations in subsection 15.3 must be successfully completed.

15.7 As used in 24 Del.C. §1421(j), “salary” means compensation of employees at a set figure with installments paid weekly, monthly, or other fixed period or compensation based on time worked, i.e. paid by the hour. “Salary” does not include compensation based on the number of inspections performed. Inspectors may not be compensated based on the number of inspections performed or given any other incentive to increase the speed at which they perform inspections.

6 DE Reg. 1495 (05/01/03)

7 DE Reg. 1167 (03/01/04)