ELECTRICAL GRANDFATHERING APPS GOING TO BOARD FOR FINANCIALS

Electrical Grandfathering has been a huge topic lately. The fact that those who meet the requirements can get grandfathered into a state license seems to be a hit with contractors. We would like to give you our latest findings for this type of application. The two big points, the test you took and your credit.

One of the main requirements is that the applicant has passed a written, proctored exam that the board finds to be substantially similar to the state exam now. In the statute, they have listed some automatically approved vendors:

• National Assessment Institute
• Block and Associates
• NAI/Block
• Experior Assessments
• Professional Testing, Inc.
• Assessment Systems, Inc.

Many took exams through other vendors though. If you are one of them, your application will be sent for board review. The board will ask for proof that the exam is substantially similar. To prove that, you will need to get ahold of a copy of the exam and have it reviewed by the state for them to approve if they believe it to be similar.

The second item is credit. This is the one that is catching people off guard. Applicants credit reports are being scoured. Board review of the application is required if:

• You or an officer have to answer yes to background question #2 asking if there has ever been any lien, judgment or bankruptcy against you, a business you previously qualified or the business you wish to qualify.
• You have any items in collections or paid items still show on your report.
• Any negative item shows within the trade section (this could be as simple as an item that was closed by grantor or if a short sold house had a foreclosure process listed as started before it was sold.)

Many people are finding that items that aren’t even really negative are causing the review to be necessary. Be forewarned. The board only meets every 2 months which means the review can cause a serious delay in the issuance of your license.

So aside from those items, most seem to be sailing through! Many registered contractors are now state certified and loving it. Contact us if you would like to get more information about this service.