Check Electrician Schools in Nevada, NV
Regarding electrician licenses, Nevada differs from the other states since it is one of those that did not adopt the National Electrical Code (NEC) on a statewide basis. Electrical contractors are required to obtain proper license, regulated by the Nevada State Contractors Board. We will see below more details on Nevada’s electrical contractor license.
Since there are no universal license rules in the state of Nevada, various counties and municipalities do require certifications of their own, so it is crucial that you examine firsthand what those certifications are before working in a particular town or city.
Nevada Electrical Contractor License
As mentioned, electrical contractors have to obtain a state certification in order to start working in the state of Nevada. As a requirement, the applicant should have a minimum of 4 years of experience working as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor and must provide relevant proof. An applicant will also have to pass an examination and obtain a license bond.
For electrical contractor, the relevant classification by the State Contractors Board is C-2 for Electrical contracting.
You may find the license application form here.
Let’s see some more details on the procedure.
– In order to qualify for a licensed electrical contractor, an applicant must be able to manage the daily activities of the electrical business, with field supervision being one of them. For this reason, before filing an application, an applicant must have obtained at least four years of experience as a journeyman, foreman or supervisor.
– For the levels of experience required, here are the definitions: A journeyman is a person who has completed an apprenticeship program or is an experienced worker, and is fully qualified and capable of performing the electrical trade without supervision. A foreman or supervisor is a person who has the knowledge and skill of a journeyman and may directly supervise activities. A contractor is a person who manages the daily activities of electrical business, including field supervision.
– At least four notarized references verifying this work experience have to be provided to the Board. The references must come from someone who has had first hand experience of your your. Thus, he or she must have observed the work you have done. Employers, supervisors, other journeymen, contractors, union representatives or engineers should complete the certificates. If you are working on your own, you may use references from customers you have worked for.
– Additionally, a detailed resume of your experience has to be provided. Name, current address, phone number and dates of employment for each employer should be included as minimum. Provide description of the work performed in detail, for example specify type of projects, trades, craft, tasks and duties you were involved in. If self-employment, include on the resume any experience from customers you have worked for, including their complete mailing address and phone number. The Resume of Experience form can be found on page 23 of the application.
– There are no education requirements in order to qualify for a contractor’s license. Any training received from an accredited college or university or equivalent program (that has been accepted by the Board) may be used to satisfy not more than 3 years of experience. Written proof must be provided for any training or education claimed in place of experience, for example copies of apprenticeship certificates and college transcripts.
– In order to receive and keep an electrical contractor’s license, it is NOT necessary for you to be a Nevada resident.
– Nevada does not recognize contractors’ licenses that have been issued by other states or countries. For electricians, there are no reciprocity agreements with other states.
– It is illegal in Nevada to work as a contractor without proper license and it may be followed by fine and even imprisonment in the county or state jail, so make sure you have the appropriate certifications.
A contractor’s license is issued for a two-year period at the beginning. It will expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued. For renewals, licenses are renewed every two years.
You may also check Electrician Jobs in Nevada.
Applying for Nevada Electrical Contractor License
In order to apply for the license, the following steps have to be completed:
– Get an Application for a Contractor’s License from any office of the Nevada State Contractors Board or by telephone from the Nevada State Contractors Board’s 24-hour automated public information line at (775) 688-1141 or (702) 486-1100 or by downloading it from here.
– Follow the instructions included in the application carefully. Submit with the application all reference certificates, detailed resume of experience, financial statement and background disclosures.
– The application and all accompanying forms must be completed in ink or with a typewriter. The form on the Board’s website may be completed online and then printed. Don’t forget to sign and date the application.
– Proofread your application to catch any omissions. Your license will be delayed, if the Board has to return the application to you or needs to request missing information.
– Submit the application, the application processing fee of $300, and all required documents to either office the Nevada State Contractors Board:
Southern Nevada:
Address: 2310 Corporate Circle, Ste 200
Henderson, NV 89074
Phone: (702) 486-1100
Fax: (702) 486-1190
Northern Nevada:
Address: 9670 Gateway Drive, Ste 100
Reno, NV 89521
Phone: (775) 688-1141
Fax: (775) 688-1271
Hours of operation for the offices are Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
The bond and the initial license fee should not be submitted with your application. Once you successfully complete your examination and/or your application is approved, you will be notified in order to submitted the necessary documents and the initial license fee. The required documents must be submitted all together in order to minimize delays. Note that until all requirements are met, the license will not be issued.
So, after your application is approved, you will have to:
- Submit a biennial license fee of $600.00 for each application.
- Submit the required license bond (amount will be indicated on your approval letter).
- Submit proof of compliance with Industrial Insurance (Workers’ Compensation Insurance) or an exemption affidavit if you are not required to obtain it. Exemption affidavits will be provided to you with your approval letter. If the license is qualified by an Employee, the qualifier is an employee and Workers’ Compensation Insurance is required.
- Either register with the Residential Recovery Fund and pay the assessed Residential Recovery Fund Fee or complete a certificate of exemption before the issuance of the license.
After your application gets approved, a Contingent Approval of Application letter will be sent to you. The approval letter will provide all the licensing requirements which will have to be met. Only then the license will be issued. In case your application is accepted but is incomplete, you must make the corrections within 60 days from the date of your deficiency notice. In a different case, the application will be withdrawn. If your application is denied, you have 60 days to request a hearing before the Board, which will be held within 90 days from receipt of your request. Note that the application feed is not refundable and you will be charged whether or not the application gets approved.
Nevada Electrical Contractor License Financial Requirements
Note that there are financial requirements you have to meet in order to qualify for a contractor’s license. Applicants must submit current financial statements to the state licensing board.
Depending on financial standing, monetary limits are set. If seeking a financial limit less than $1,000,000 the statement must be compiled, reviewed or audited by a CPA, self-prepared on a form provided by the Board, or using accounting software and accompanied by an affidavit. When seeking a monetary limit of $1,000,000 or more, the financial statement must be reviewed and audited by a CPA.
You may find more information on the financial statements and monetary limits here.
Additionally, there are bond requirements and the Board will determine the amount of the bond at the time of license approval. The amount can range from $1,000 to $500,000 depending on the type of license, monetary limit, past, present or future financial responsibility, experience, and character of the applicant.
You may find more information on the required bonds and where to obtain them here.
Regarding fees, at the time, the application fee is $300.00 and the biennial license fee is $600.00. However, please note that fees are in general subject to change. The fees that apply can be found on the application forms and notices that you will get. You may also call the Nevada State Contractors Board or check their website in order to to verify them.
Nevada Electrical Contractor License Examinations
Applicants will have to pass both the trade exam and the Management Survey Exam (Business and Law Exam) in order to obtain a license, unless requirements for a waiver are met. in order to check if you are eligible for a waiver, see here.
PSI Licensure administers the exams. All trade examinations consist of multiple-choice questions. They are semi open-book, timed tests with 80 questions and a 4-hour time limit. In order to pass the exam, you will have to score at least 70% (56 correct).
The exam fee is $85 for a single exam and $130 for one trade exam plus the Contractor Management Survey Exam.
You will have three (3) attempts to pass each exam. A candidate who tests unsuccessfully must wait 2 weeks before retaking the examination. If an applicant fails the test three times, he will have to begin the application process over and apply again directly to the Nevada State Contractors’ Board.
Two forms of identification will have to be provided in the exams.
- A valid form of government issued identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID), which bears your signature and has your photograph.
- An ID that has your signature and pre-printed legal name. All identification provided must match the name on the Examination Registration Form.
As mentioned above, the examination process consists of two parts. In order to qualify, you will have to pass the standard Business and Law examination AND a trade exam covering the electrical contractor’s field.
The Business and Law examination consists of multiple choice questions related to business management and construction law. The Candidate Information Bulletin that will be provided to you along with your Examination Eligibility Letter will contain information on the breakdown of the topics covered in the examination.
The exam contents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- General Electrical Knowledge Service
- Feeders and Branch Circuits Grounding
- Bonding Conductors
- Cables Raceways
- Electrical Power Motors
- Low Voltage Lighting
- Illuminated Signs
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
- Safety Information
- Transmission Lines
- Overcurrent Protection
There are three testing centers you may choose from. The examination sites are:
- Las Vegas: 3210 East Tropicana Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89121
- Reno: Airport Plaza Office Building 1755 E Plumb Lane Ste 108 Reno, Nevada 89502
- Elko: 225 Silver Street Ste 102 Elko, Nevada 89801
Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Nevada.