PC Licensing, Laws, and Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The National Electrical Code (NEC) is published by which organization?
- The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (Correct answer)
- The International Code Council (ICC)
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Correct answer: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
The NEC is officially NFPA 70, published by the National Fire Protection Association and updated on a three-year cycle.
Question 2: A state adopts the 2023 NEC but a municipality within the state amends it to prohibit aluminum wiring in residential work. Which standard applies to residential projects in that municipality?
- The state NEC adoption always overrides local amendments
- The local amendment applies because local AHJs may amend adopted codes (Correct answer)
- The 2023 NEC applies because federal law supersedes local ordinances
- The contractor may choose whichever standard is less restrictive
Correct answer: The local amendment applies because local AHJs may amend adopted codes
Local authorities having jurisdiction may amend adopted model codes to be more restrictive, and those local amendments govern within their jurisdiction.
Question 3: Which document must an electrical contractor post on a commercial job site in most jurisdictions?
- A copy of the master electrician's journeyman card
- The issued electrical permit (Correct answer)
- The contractor's state income tax returns
- The original bid documents
Correct answer: The issued electrical permit
Permits must typically be posted and visible on the job site so that inspectors can verify the work is authorized before beginning their inspection.
Question 4: When is an electrical permit generally NOT required?
- Installing a new 200-amp service panel
- Replacing a like-for-kind fixture in the same location (Correct answer)
- Adding a new branch circuit in a commercial building
- Installing a backup generator transfer switch
Correct answer: Replacing a like-for-kind fixture in the same location
Most jurisdictions exempt minor repairs and replacements—such as swapping a fixture in the same location—from permit requirements, though rules vary by jurisdiction.
Question 5: The term 'continuing education' as it relates to electrical contractor licensing refers to:
- On-the-job training hours required for apprentices each year
- Mandatory coursework licensees must complete to renew their license (Correct answer)
- The apprenticeship curriculum set by the DOL
- Post-secondary electrical engineering degree programs
Correct answer: Mandatory coursework licensees must complete to renew their license
Many states require licensed electrical contractors to complete a set number of continuing education hours on code updates and safety topics as a condition of license renewal.
Question 6: An electrical contractor who performs work without a required permit may face all of the following EXCEPT:
- Fines and stop-work orders from the AHJ
- License suspension or revocation
- A mandatory jail sentence on the first offense in all states (Correct answer)
- Requirement to remove and redo the unpermitted work
Correct answer: A mandatory jail sentence on the first offense in all states
While unpermitted work can result in fines, stop-work orders, and license discipline, mandatory first-offense jail sentences are not a universal consequence across all states.
Question 7: Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electrical contractors working on federally funded construction projects must:
- Obtain a federal contractor registration number
- Pay workers the locally prevailing wage rates (Correct answer)
- Use only union-affiliated electrical workers
- Submit to annual federal license inspections
Correct answer: Pay workers the locally prevailing wage rates
The Davis-Bacon Act requires contractors on federally funded or assisted construction to pay workers no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits.
PC Licensing, Laws, and Regulations 3
The National Electrical Code (NEC) is published by which organization?