Trystan Casey
A registered electrical contractor (REC) is a person or company that employs electricians to carry out electrical installation work for profit. To become a registered electrical contractor, one must possess the skills, experience, and technical and business knowledge to undertake electrical installation work. This includes having a minimum of $5 million in public liability insurance to cover personal injury or property damage. A registered electrical contractor must also ensure that the work is safe, complies with regulations, is inspected if required, and that a certificate of electrical safety is issued for all work carried out. A registered license is only valid in the counties and municipalities where the contractor registered with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
What does a 'Registered Electrical Contractor' mean?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A contractor registered for a local county or municipal certificate of competency with the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board to become a state registered contractor. |
| Who can get it? | A contractor with the skills, experience, and technical and business knowledge to undertake electrical installation work. |
| Requirements | Registration with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A valid electrical contractor's license from ESV. Proof of General Liability and/or Workers' Compensation Insurance. |
| Scope | The license allows the holder to work in the counties or municipalities where they are registered. |
| Insurance | Must hold current public liability insurance (minimum cover of $5 million) against personal injury and/or property damage. |
| Work | An REC is responsible for all electrical installation work and must ensure that the work is safe and complies with regulations, and is inspected if required. |
| License renewal | The REC license needs to be renewed every 5 years. |
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What You'll Learn
Registration requirements
The registration requirements for electrical contractors vary slightly depending on the region and the specific type of work being undertaken. However, there are some commonalities across different areas.
Firstly, electrical contractors typically need to be licensed by a state or local government authority, which grants them permission to work in a specific geographical area. This could be a state-wide license, as in the case of Florida, or a more local license, as seen in Victoria, Australia, where registration is required for specific counties or municipalities.
To obtain this license, electrical contractors usually need to demonstrate a certain level of skill, experience, and technical and business knowledge. This often includes passing examinations or assessments, such as the Licensed Electrician's Assessment, and providing proof of insurance and/or completing an application process to showcase their qualifications.
In terms of insurance, electrical contractors are generally required to hold public liability insurance to cover against personal injury and/or damage to property. This insurance requirement is to protect both the contractor and the client in case any issues arise during or after the electrical work is carried out. The minimum cover amount is typically $5 million, as seen in Victoria, Australia.
Additionally, electrical contractors may need to meet certain certification requirements, depending on the specific type of electrical work they intend to undertake. For example, in Florida, there are different licenses for Unlimited Electrical Contractors, Alarm System Contractors, and Residential Electrical Contractors, each with its own scope of work.
It is important to note that electrical licenses and certifications typically have an expiration date and need to be renewed periodically to remain valid. This renewal process may involve additional examinations or proof of continued education to ensure that electrical contractors are up-to-date with the latest industry standards and safety protocols.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that some regions, like Ontario, differentiate between Licensed Electrical Contractors and Certified Electricians. In such cases, Licensed Electrical Contractors are the only businesses legally authorized to perform electrical work, while Certified Electricians are individuals employed by these contractors to carry out the electrical tasks.
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Insurance and liability
Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs) are required to have insurance against public liability for personal injury or damage to property in conjunction with their electrical contracting work. This insurance must have a minimum cover of $5,000,000.
RECs are also required to hold a current contract of insurance against public liability whenever carrying out or offering to carry out electrical contracting work. This means that the entity they wish to register as an electrical contractor must be correctly insured with their insurance provider. Carrying out electrical contracting work without the required insurance is a criminal offence.
Electrical contractors face various hazards in their day-to-day work, and their insurance policies must account for this. For example, electrical contractors' insurance should cover property damage, bodily injury, and even death caused by the contractor's company or negligence. It should also cover medical bills, lost wages, and payments in the event of workplace injuries.
In addition to public liability insurance, electrical contractors may also want to consider the following types of insurance:
- Workers' compensation insurance: This covers medical bills and lost wages for employees who are injured while working for the company. Most states require any business that has employees to obtain this type of insurance.
- Contractors' tools and equipment policy: This can help pay for tools and equipment that are stolen or damaged.
- Commercial auto insurance: This covers business liability arising from the use of a work vehicle.
- Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance: This protects against discrimination charges, wrongful termination, retaliation, or harassment suits filed by former or existing staff members.
- Employment practices liability insurance: This protects against claims related to employment practices, such as discrimination or wrongful termination.
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Licenses and certificates
The licenses and certificates for electrical contractors vary across different regions. For instance, in the US, electrical contractors need to be licensed by the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board to perform electrical and alarm services in a particular state. They can be certified electrical contractors, which means they have passed the state licensing examination, or registered electrical contractors, which means they have registered for a local county or municipal certificate of competency with the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
In Florida, there are different categories of certified and registered licenses, including Unlimited Electrical Contractor, Alarm System Contractor I and II, and Residential Electrical Contractor. In addition, specialty contractors, such as lighting maintenance specialty contractors, have a more limited scope of work.
In Victoria, Australia, electrical contractors must be registered with Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) as a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC). To obtain this registration, applicants must possess the necessary experience, technical and business knowledge, and proven skills to undertake electrical installation work. RECs must also hold current public liability insurance of at least $5 million to protect against personal injury and property damage.
In Ontario, Canada, electrical contractors must have an ECRA/ESA license number to legally operate, while certified electricians who work for them obtain an OCOT certification number after completing an apprenticeship and exam.
It is important to note that licenses and certifications have an expiration date and must be renewed periodically to remain valid. Additionally, some jobs may require specific certifications beyond what is learned in an apprenticeship or general electrician program. For example, certifications in green and renewable energy, electrical safety, cable splicing, and instrumentation can provide specialized skills and knowledge in these areas.
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Qualifications and skills
To become a registered electrical contractor, one must possess a comprehensive set of qualifications and skills encompassing both technical knowledge and practical experience in electrical systems and installations. Here is an overview of the key qualifications and skills typically required for this role:
Educational Background and Certifications
Registered electrical contractors often hold a bachelor's or associate degree in electrical engineering, electrical systems technology, or a closely related field. These academic programs provide a strong foundation in electrical theory, mathematics, and physics, along with specialized courses in areas such as circuit analysis, power systems, electrical design, and control systems.
In addition to formal education, attaining professional certifications is crucial for electrical contractors. Reputable certifications, such as the
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Work scope
A "registered electrical contractor" is an electrical contractor who has registered with the department pursuant to fulfilling the competency requirements in the jurisdiction for which the registration is issued. A registered electrical contractor may contract for electrical systems, including all specialty categories, only in the cities and/or counties for which their registration is issued.
The work scope of a registered electrical contractor includes:
- Installing, repairing, altering, adding to, or designing electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, and conduit. This includes electrical installations and systems within plants and substations.
- Contracting for electrical systems, including all specialty categories, such as solar electric systems, electric sign installation and servicing, and line construction.
- Working only in the counties or municipalities where they hold a local license or have registered their competency with the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
- Working on solar electric systems, which includes the installation, repair, replacement, alteration, or maintenance of photovoltaic or wind generation systems.
- Working on electrical advertising signs, such as fabrication, erection, installation, and maintenance.
- Working on two-way radio communications enhancement systems, including the installation, repair, alteration, addition, testing, replacement, and design of electrical wiring, fixtures, antennae, amplifiers, and appliances.
- Working on primary services, such as 21kV primary service with a unit substation on the roof and 5000-amp services with rooftop substations.
- Upgrading fire alarm systems, providing power to support HVAC equipment, and making electrical connections to mechanical equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
A registered electrical contractor (REC) is a contractor registered for a local county or municipal certificate of competency with the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board to become a state registered contractor.
A certified electrical contractor has passed a state licensing examination to become licensed. They can work anywhere within the state. A registered electrical contractor, on the other hand, can only work in the counties or municipalities where they are registered.
To become a registered electrical contractor, one must possess the skills, experience, and technical and business knowledge to undertake electrical installation work. They must also hold current public liability insurance to protect clients in case of personal injury or damage to property.
After completing an application process to demonstrate the required skills, experience, and knowledge, an individual will be issued an REC license. This license needs to be renewed every 5 years and can be restricted to certain classes of electrical work.
A licensed electrician has completed an apprenticeship or holds an equivalent qualification. They can undertake electrical installation work but cannot charge for it. To get paid for their work, they must become a registered electrical contractor or be employed by a business that is.
