Electrical Licensing Rant

Dullhook · 10-05-2005, 06:20 PM

Anyone that holds an electrical license in Oregon, which is good for three year periods, has to complete a continuing education requirement of 8 hours per year, or 24 hours per term (plus a $100 fee, of course!) in order to renew their license.

These are basically safety classes on code, motor controls, grounding, bonding etc.

For years the state held these classes on Saturdays, free to license holders except for their time, usually taught by state electrical inspectors, or retired inspectors.

These gradually disappeared, I suppose due to costs, and they went to correspondence-type tests that you could do at home using a current code book, which you had to buy, and get a 75% score to pass. This was okay too, though I'd rather been fishing. Well, apparently these are gone also.

Now my mailbox has been bombarded daily by private electrical companies "selling" code classes and on-line tests for upwards of $100 each, those are the cheapest ones.

Guess whose teaching these classes and writing these tests?
Yep, those same state electrical inspectors!

I went to the B.C.D. websight and could find no information on state sponsored classes. I haven't received any reply to my e-mail either.

Are there still free tests or classes available that I don't know about? They used to send out a pamplet each year listing them, I haven't received one in three years.

If not, what is the $100 fee for? One way or another either the electician or his employer is going to get stuck with these costs and invested hours, a bad deal either way!

Hare's Ear · 10-05-2005, 06:33 PM

Dullhook - Almost all professions that are regulated by the state require continuing education. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but 8 hours and $100 a year doesn't seem to bad. Consider my situation - I am required to take 40 hours of continuing education each year at a cost of $1,000+. And yes, the cost gets passed on to my employer, me.

lost_sailor · 10-05-2005, 07:04 PM

You could try practicing without a license, then you would learn where the fees go.

Professional licensing is not something the evil government dreamed up to rake in money for beer. It is generally the professionals themselves who ask to be regulated. It is to your benefit that the market is restricted to qualified people.

I don't understand the part about the private CE being taught by state inspectors ? ? ? Can you clarify that?

No Wishin Just Fishin · 10-05-2005, 10:33 PM

The Union supplies us wih the CE classes that we need. OH you must be non=union.

salmonquest · 10-05-2005, 11:19 PM

DH. Pm me if you want I know of one that is only $75.00 per 8 hrs. This is an online course and done very good.

And as far as the dried up blood, Don't you think that you piad for the course one way or the other?????????????

Dullhook · 10-06-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

The Union supplies us wih the CE classes that we need. OH you must be non=union.

I've been in the workforce for some forty years now, and have worked for both union and non-union companies, having been fortunate enough to be treated well by all. I think that it's great for yourself and your family that the union pays for your CE, but since none of this is relevant to this thread, I'll thank you for your contribution and move on.

(thank's Pete!)

Dullhook · 10-06-2005, 05:25 PM

Lost Sailer: I have no problem with continuing education or licensing. Having worked around high-voltage systems for many years as a maintenance millwright, I'm more aware of the danger than most. Anyone working around electricity, including old-timers like myself, can benefit from yearly safety classes (plus a new pair of glasses!)

However this post isn't about that, it's about the pricing. We went from free correspondance classes last period, where you picked up your test at the bureau, and mailed it back, to extremely expensive live CC change classes. Have you priced any of these? The $75-$100 price gets you only an on line test, which of course you pay again if you don't pass.

All of this may be well justified, it could be that the old tests are now cost-prohibitive

Many of us that carry electrical license's would really appreciate an answer to this. Any O.B.C.L.D folks out there?

Sincerely, D.H.

wthr4d · 10-06-2005, 05:51 PM

Dull hook- I dont know why the change to no state supplied classes, but have you tried LBCC for electricians CE courses? they are only $56/ credit and I bet you could get 3 one credit classes that would cover your costs.

Just a thought.

paul

Buccaneer · 10-06-2005, 06:06 PM

I don't mean to sound uncarring, because I do, but change happens. Why should the public pony up for your continuing ed. I have to have 14 hours per year for the state plus an additional 20 hours per year (100 every 5 years) for my professional designation. All of which is on my dime--very expensive, usually to the tune of $150-$200 per 7 hour course plus the time away from my business, travel etc. I complain about it too because over 28 years, its a bunch of CE. Seems like I've taken the same stuff over and over. I've had to pay for it all.

Every now and then though, there is a new course or seminar that is very interesting, teaching me new things, makes new contacts in the business and generally gets my juices flowing again. :smile:

Fish mojo · 10-06-2005, 07:04 PM

Dullhook, I carry a Limited Maintenance Electrical License. The state license board is a joke, always has been. The CE classes, including code update all deal with work I'm not even licensed to do. My license covers repair on existing service. All the education deals in work for new installs, sizing, etc. Just a way to get $$ out of you. I do my CE on line thru Jade1 dot com. Code update is $75. Takes about 3 hours. I actually learn a thing or 2 each on line course I take. I would rather pay the $75 and do it at my leisure at home than spend an entire Saturday listening to some old frt read word for word out of the code book, when I can be out fishing.

Abalone · 10-07-2005, 10:47 AM

Dullhook:
The state discontinued the Correspondance Courses because they did not have enough staff to correct the tests.
At least that's what they told me. It doesn't matter if you are a Union Member or not and it doesn't matter what card you hold, you can participate in the Metro training Classes out at Airport Way for I think $35.00 a course. Call them and set something up either Weekdays in the evening or weekends.

My company provides the training where I work and soon they may do it during working hours but I agree with you that it is a Pain in the Rump. I just got renewed and have to start all over.

Where do you work ?

Dullhook · 10-07-2005, 04:18 PM

Abalone:

Thank's a lot, an answer at last!

Since this is the situation, and I realize all employers are making efforts to trim employees to cut costs, I feel a lot better about this.

I work at Truitt Brothers Inc. in Salem. There are two divisions, one on each side of the Willamette River.

We have a large maitenance department of which sixteen hold electrical licenses; 1 supervisor, 5 journeyman, and 10 L.M.E.'s.

Now we may have an in-house CC class for the new period.

Since this is shift work, the ones that can't attend would be compensated for private classes.

I also learned that if your company offers, or a license holder attends an approved C.P.R. first aid class it can count for 8 hours of CR credit!

It might be true. Sometimes the "squeaky wheel get's the grease! Maybe more with a little help from above!

Fish mojo · 10-10-2005, 08:15 AM

Quote:

I also learned that if your company offers, or a license holder attends an approved C.P.R. first aid class it can count for 8 hours of CR credit!

Where did you get this information? That would be awesome as we have to do CPR every 2 years.

Abalone · 10-10-2005, 08:51 AM

The State will give you Eight hours credit for CPR/First Aid.

This works great for me because my Company requires CPR/First aid and I get on Hours training every two year whether I need it or not.

I have used the Credit the last three re-newels.

Just send a Fax of your card and the date you took your class.