| I have let this site languish far too long..... After all it has been almost 8 years!!!!!!!  | The California DAS is making some new rules for the California Electrician Certification Program. I suggest anyone with a C-10 license, or plans to hold one some day, or anyone Employed by a C-10 take a look at the proposed rules, if not take full advantage of this comment period. Yep, This law is going to continue to change... Even it if it never gets enforced in our life times. Even if not interested in the hearings, it would be wise to see what the future holds in store. (In case your Son or Daughter decides to take up the business, after you retire with a useless card in your wallet.) Link to information about the hearings: http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/DasRegulations/DASElec1087.html Text of Proposed Regulations: http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/DasRegulations/DASElec1087Text.pdf | | Yep, it's official! California has an additional six months for certification testing of Electricians state wide.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/DAS_CAC_Actions.htm |
One year if you speak Spanish only. What about people who only speak Chinese? | I finally, have gotten some information about the Electrical Certification Program from the horse's mouth so to speak. I spoke on the phone with Jeanie Kaatz, one of the main figures of the program, where I asked a few simple questions and got simple straight forward answers about them.
-The Law will be enforceable on Jan 1, 2005 unless it is postponed in the next DAS Council Meeting. (Which she did not seem to think that it would be an issue. See above:)
-The Law will be enforced by "insurability". Meaning Workmen's Comp, and Liability Insurance Companies will require documentation of certification.
-And, the IBEW is not allowed to certify "in-house". |
| It has been brought to my attention that a significant number of persons are going for their Electrical Contractors License. And, that the CSLB has a much longer waiting list than normal. ( Staffing cuts, and maybe a lot of Electricians? I'm waiting to hear back from the CSLB about this. ) |
I have also come across many persons that have been misinformed about Electrical Certification, thinking that an Electrical Contractors License is the equivalent of Certification. Or, knowing the difference, thinking that obtaining a C-10 License is a method around Certification. It is, and it is not, I'll explain below. As an Employee of an Electrical Contractor, also holding a C-10 license, you would STILL need to go through Certification. ( Because you are an Employee of that Contractor. ) And yes, you do not need Certification if you're self-employed, working on your own, and hold a C-10 license. But this would put you in the very awkward position of "Independent Contractor", or Sub-contractor. A situation that can work well for very few, and very badly for most. The bad elements can entail the loss of job security, and benefits. The loss of legal rights guaranteed as an Employee, like a paycheck, workmen's compensation, etc. As well as, Business Licenses, and Permits for every Job, and City you work in. Bonding, and Insurance. Then there is the IRS side of the coin. Justifying the "Independent Contractor" verses "Employee" status could be tricky. This is a practice the IRS frowns upon. The bottom line here is, before you decide to go this route, you had better investigate the legal, and financial implications.
| You might notice that you now can have this, and all pages translated into a few popular languages. Simply by clicking a flag representing that language at the bottom of each page. I have been looking for something like this for some time. And, thankfully this one works this time, as for a while, it didn't do that exactly. |
| Wow! Some amendments to the Electrician Certification Program enforcement dates, if you can call them that. ( I have waited for the Legislature to close for the year to report on this, in case anything else popped up. ) Last October, the Legislature, in their infinitely wishy washy and confusing methods, have sandwiched some amendments between exceptions to overtime pay for Medical Interns, and regulations on the safety of Jockeys in Horseracing. Please take a look at AB-1719 . This is how politics in the State of California work. Essentially, what these changes mean, is that the DIR / DAS / CAC, can make their report to "Themselves" at any point prior to the enforcement date of January 1, 2005, and postpone for any amount of time up to two years. Now, the big question is when will they make their report? ( At the last minute, at their whim, I assume! Only, the Shadow knows.... ) And, will they postpone the enforcement date? And, for how long, if they do? See Timing and Consequences. As it stands now, the enforcement date is still January 1, 2005! No change there yet. Don't get caught with your pants down. If tested before the enforcement date, your expiration date now moves back to 3 years after your anniversary date. So there is no penalty for testing early, which is good news. |
| Issues of conflicting information about test content. |
What is on the test, what is not? | The "Take the Test" link has been re-vamped. With added commentary on how to fill out the form. |
| Want to see what you'll get for all of this..... your new Certification Card! |
You'll get one of these for your wallet!  | The DIR / DAS has a phone number for additional information about The Electricians Certification Program. (415)703-4917 |
For additional questions e-mail Jeanie Kaatz, at the DAS.
jkaatz@dir.ca.gov | The State of California finally makes weak attempt at informing C-10 License holders about Certification. One might figure something this big could take up a whole page, or two. (You can find it on page 3 in the bottom right corner.) |
Winter 2003 Newsletter ( And, it is not the CSLB's responsibility to inform us of this! ) However, still absolutely no word from the DIR/DAS about this law we're all supposed to follow. They really don't have to tell us about it.
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