74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .
LC 1668
House Bill 2474
Sponsored by Representative SCHAUFLER
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
Eliminates Class I and Class II oil module electrician, limited
journeyman railroad electrician, limited journeyman industrial
electrician and limited maintenance manufactured dwelling or
recreational vehicle electrician license categories.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to electrical trade licensing; creating new provisions;
and amending ORS 479.620, 479.630 and 479.840.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 479.620 is amended to read:
479.620. Subject to ORS 479.540, a person may not:
(1) Without an electrical contractor's license, engage in the
business of making electrical installations, advertise as or
otherwise purport to be licensed to make electrical installations
or purport to be acting as a business that makes electrical
installations.
(2) Except as provided in ORS 479.630 (10)(c) and (11)(f),
direct, supervise or control the making of an electrical
installation without a supervising electrician's license.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, make
any electrical installation without a supervising or journeyman
electrician's license.
(4) Perform work on an electrical installation as an apprentice
electrician without an electrical apprentice's license.
(5) Make any electrical installation on a single or multifamily
dwelling unit not exceeding three floors above grade, as provided
in ORS 479.630 (14), without a limited residential electrician's
license.
(6) Permit or suffer any electrical installation on property
which the person owns, controls, manages or supervises to be made
by a person not licensed to make such an installation.
{ - (7) Install, maintain, replace or repair electrical
wiring or electrical products on an oil module without a Class I
oil module electrician's license. - }
{ - (8) Perform electrical work on an oil module in the
capacity of helper or trainee without a Class II oil module
electrician's license. - }
SECTION 2. ORS 479.630 is amended to read:
479.630. If the person pays the applicable examination and
license fees required under ORS 479.840 and complies with ORS
479.510 to 479.945 and the rules adopted under ORS 455.117 and
479.510 to 479.945, the Department of Consumer and Business
Services shall issue:
(1) An electrical contractor's license to a person engaging in
or carrying on a business of making electrical installations.
(2) A general supervising electrician's license to a person
who:
(a) Passes a written examination prepared by the Electrical and
Elevator Board and administered by the department; and
(b) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person has
had at least four years of experience as a general journeyman
electrician or its equivalent, as determined by the board by
rule, in installing, maintaining and repairing electrical wires
and equipment.
(3) A limited supervising electrician's license to a person who
qualifies under this subsection. A person licensed under this
subsection is authorized to supervise the class of electrical
work included in the branch of the electrical trade and for which
the person has passed the examination administered by the
department. A person qualifies under this subsection if the
person:
(a) Passes a written examination prepared by the board and
administered by the department; and
(b) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person has
had at least four years of specialized experience in a recognized
branch of the electrical trade on the journeyman level.
(4) A general journeyman electrician's license to a person who:
(a) Passes a written examination prepared by the board and
administered by the department; and
(b) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that:
(A) The person has had at least four years of general
experience as an apprentice or its equivalent, as determined by
the board by rule, in installing, maintaining and repairing
electrical wires and equipment, including not fewer than 1,000
hours in wiring on single or multifamily dwelling units; or
(B) If the person is licensed as a limited residential
electrician under subsection (14) of this section, subsequent to
receiving that license, the person has worked for at least two
years as a limited residential electrician and subsequent to
those two years has completed an additional two years' experience
as an apprentice or its equivalent, as determined by the board by
rule, for that period of apprenticeship time worked exclusively
in installing, maintaining and repairing electrical wires and
equipment in the commercial and industrial branches of the
electrical trade under the supervision of a licensed electrical
contractor.
(5) A limited journeyman electrician's license to a person who
qualifies under this subsection. A person licensed under this
subsection is authorized to perform the class of electrical work
included in the branch of the electrical trade for which the
person has passed the examination administered by the department.
A person qualifies under this subsection if the person:
(a) Passes a written examination prepared by the board and
administered by the department; and
(b) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person has
had at least four years of specialized experience as an
apprentice or its equivalent, as determined by the board by rule,
in a recognized branch of the electrical trade.
(6) A limited elevator journeyman license to a person who
qualifies under this subsection. A person licensed under this
subsection is authorized to install, maintain and repair
elevators, including all electrical and mechanical systems. A
person qualifies under this subsection if the person has
completed an elevator apprenticeship program, including both
electrical and mechanical training components, approved by the
board by rule and the person submits an application for licensure
to the board in writing. A person issued a license under this
subsection is exempt from continuing education requirements
established under ORS 455.117 and 479.680.
(7) An electrical apprentice's license to a person who has
complied with ORS 660.002 to 660.210 as an electrical apprentice.
(8) An electrical apprentice's license to a trainee toward a
limited residential electrician's license who has complied with
ORS 660.002 to 660.210 as an electrical apprentice.
(9) An electrical apprentice's license to a trainee toward a
limited journeyman's license in a recognized branch of the
electrical trade who is employed by an employer who also:
(a) Employs a holder of either a general journeyman
electrician's license or a limited journeyman electrician's
license; and
(b) Conducts an electrical training program in a recognized
branch of the electrical trade approved by the board as being a
training program that will adequately prepare the trainee for the
limited journeyman's license.
(10) A limited maintenance electrician's license to a person
who qualifies under this subsection. A person licensed under this
subsection is authorized to maintain, repair and replace
electrical installations, including electrical components,
required on the premises of industrial plants, commercial office
buildings, buildings occupied by the state or a local government
entity or facilities designated by the board. The following apply
to this subsection:
(a) A person qualifies under this subsection if the person:
(A) Passes a written examination prepared by the board and
administered by the department on repair, replacement and
maintenance of equipment of the type and nature normally used in
an industrial plant, commercial office building or government
building and on the use of testing equipment; and
(B)(i) Completes a two-year training program approved by the
board that provides for training and supervision of the trainee
or apprentice; or
(ii) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person
has had sufficient experience and related educational training in
the repair, replacement and maintenance of electrical wiring and
equipment of the type and nature used in an industrial plant,
commercial office building or government building, as determined
by the board or by an appropriate local apprenticeship committee
recognized by the State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
(b) An annual inspection of the premises upon which electrical
work is performed by persons licensed under this subsection shall
be made by the electrical inspector for an annual fee determined
by the board by rule, based upon the time required for the
inspection, payable to the department.
(c) A person licensed under this subsection may be employed
directly by the owner, or owner's agent, of any government
building or commercial office building. A building owner or
owner's agent need not be licensed under this section to
supervise a limited maintenance electrician.
(d) The department, in consultation with the board, shall adopt
rules defining government buildings and commercial office
buildings subject to this subsection.
(11) A limited building maintenance electrician's license to a
person who qualifies under this subsection. The following apply
to this subsection:
(a) A person licensed under this subsection is authorized to
maintain, repair and replace the following electrical
installations required on the premises of commercial office
buildings, buildings occupied by the state or a local government
entity or facilities designated by the board in electrical
systems not exceeding 300 volts to ground:
(A) Electrical appliances;
(B) Light switches;
(C) Light fixtures;
(D) Fans;
(E) Receptacles; and
(F) Fluorescent ballasts.
(b) A person qualifies under this subsection if the person:
(A) Passes a written examination prepared by the board and
administered by the department on maintenance, repair and
replacement of equipment of the type and nature normally used in
a commercial office building or government building and on the
use of testing equipment; and
(B) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person
has:
(i) Had sufficient experience in the maintenance, repair and
replacement of electrical wiring and equipment of the type and
nature normally used in a commercial office building or
government building; or
(ii) Completed a one-year training course, with classroom and
on-the-job training components approved by the board, on the
maintenance, repair and replacement of electrical wiring and
equipment of the type and nature normally used in a commercial
office building or government building.
(c) An annual inspection of the premises upon which electrical
work is performed by persons licensed under this subsection shall
be made by the electrical inspector for an annual fee determined
by the board by rule, based upon the time required for the
inspection, payable to the department, or the inspection shall be
performed under an electrical master permit program.
(d) Building owners may perform work regulated by this
subsection and for which a license is required under this
subsection without obtaining a license.
(e) A person who owns more than 50 percent of a corporation
that controls a building is a building owner.
(f) A person licensed under this subsection may be employed by
the owner of a commercial office building or the owner's agent.
A building owner or owner's agent need not be licensed under this
section to supervise a limited building maintenance electrician.
(12) A limited maintenance specialty contractor license to a
person who qualifies under this subsection. A person licensed
under this subsection is authorized to engage in the electrical
work related to the repair, service, maintenance, installation or
replacement of existing, built-in or permanently connected
appliances, fluorescent ballasts or similar equipment and to
employ individuals to engage in that work. This subsection does
not authorize the installation of appliances, ballasts or other
equipment if there is no existing installation of similar
equipment. A person qualifies under this subsection if the person
submits:
(a) Proof satisfactory to the board that the person has had
sufficient experience in the type of work permitted under the
license issued under this subsection; and
(b) Maintains with the board a current list of all individuals
employed by the person to engage in work permitted under this
subsection.
(13) A limited pump installation specialty contractor license
to a person who qualifies under this subsection. A person
licensed under this subsection is authorized to engage in
electrical work related to the testing, repair, service,
maintenance, installation or replacement of new or existing pump
equipment for potable or irrigation water systems, sump pumps,
effluent pumps and ground water pumps on residential and
agricultural property, to employ individuals to engage in such
work. A person qualifies under this subsection if the person:
(a) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person has
had sufficient experience in the type of work permitted under the
license issued under this subsection; and
(b) Maintains with the board a current list of all individuals
employed by the person to engage in work permitted under this
subsection.
(14) A limited residential electrician's license to a person
who qualifies under this subsection. A person licensed under this
subsection is authorized to perform the class of electrical work
included in the branch of the electrical trade for which the
person has passed the examination administered by the department
and approved by the board. However, a person licensed under this
subsection shall perform the electrical work allowed by the
license only on single and multifamily dwelling units not
exceeding three floors above grade. For purposes of this
subsection, the first floor of a building is the floor that is
designed for human habitation and that has 50 percent or more of
its perimeter level with or above finished grade of the exterior
wall line. A person qualifies under this subsection if the
person:
(a) Has received the same number of hours of electrical safety
training as required by rule for an electrical apprentice or its
equivalent and who has received training in electrical theory;
(b) Submits documented proof to the board of at least two years
of apprenticeship or trainee experience in residential wiring of
single and multifamily dwelling units or its equivalent, as
determined by the board by rule; and
(c) Passes a written examination prepared by the board and
administered by the department.
{ - (15) A Class I or Class II oil module electrician's
license to a person who passes a written examination prepared by
the board and administered by the department. - }
{ - (16) - } { + (15) + } A limited renewable energy
contractor license to a person who:
(a) Employs at least one full-time renewable energy technician;
and
(b) Does not engage in electrical work other than work that may
be performed by a limited renewable energy technician. A limited
renewable energy contractor may not make, direct, supervise or
control the making of an electrical installation unless the
contractor is licensed for that activity.
{ - (17) - } { + (16) + } A limited renewable energy
technician license to a person who qualifies under this
subsection. A person qualifies for licensing as a limited
renewable energy technician if the person completes a two-year
apprenticeship program and passes an examination approved by the
board. A person licensed under this subsection may, while in the
employ of a licensed electrical contractor or a limited renewable
energy contractor:
(a) Install, maintain, replace or repair electrical wiring and
electrical products that convey or operate on renewable
electrical energy not exceeding 25 kilowatts AC; and
(b) Make electrical installations not exceeding 25 kilowatts
AC:
(A) On devices using renewable energy involving wind, solar
energy systems, micro-hydroelectricity, photovoltaic systems or
fuel cells.
(B) Up to the load side of an inverter.
(C) To connect generators that are sized to facilitate the
inverter in an off-grid system.
SECTION 3. ORS 479.840 is amended to read:
479.840. (1) Upon receipt of the following fee, the Department
of Consumer and Business Services shall issue or renew a license
or permit applied for under ORS 479.510 to 479.945:
(a) $125 for an electrical contractor license for each place of
business operated by the applicant.
(b) $125 for a limited energy contractor or limited sign
contractor license.
(c) $25 for a pump specialty contractor or limited maintenance
specialty contractor license.
(d) $150 for an elevator contractor license.
(e) $100 for a license for a:
(A) General journeyman electrician;
(B) General supervising electrician;
(C) Limited supervising industrial electrician;
(D) Limited supervising manufacturing plant electrician;
{ - (E) Limited journeyman industrial electrician; - }
{ - (F) - } { + (E) + } Limited maintenance industrial
electrician; { + or + }
{ - (G) Limited maintenance manufactured dwelling or
recreational vehicle electrician; - }
{ - (H) - } { + (F) + } Limited journeyman manufacturing
plant electrician { + . + } { - ; or - }
{ - (I) Limited journeyman railroad electrician. - }
(f) $50 for a license for a:
(A) Limited elevator journeyman;
(B) Class A or Class B limited energy technician;
(C) Limited journeyman sign electrician;
(D) Limited journeyman sign service electrician;
(E) Limited journeyman stage electrician; or
(F) Limited building maintenance electrician.
(g) $10 for the right to take the written qualifying
examination.
(2) The Electrical and Elevator Board shall set uniform permit
fees, by rule, not to exceed the cost of administration.
(3) The fees provided for in this section do not apply to
persons paying inspection fees under the terms of ORS 479.560 (3)
or 479.630 (10).
(4) Each electrical contractor may furnish to the department a
corporate surety bond to be approved by the department, an
irrevocable letter of credit issued by an insured institution as
defined in ORS 706.008 or a cash bond under procedures approved
by the department, in the sum of $2,000 guaranteeing the payment
of all fees provided for under ORS 479.510 to 479.945. Before
commencing any electrical job an electrical contractor who has a
current bond or letter of credit under this subsection may apply
to the department for a working permit which shall cost an amount
established by the department by rule. The working permit shall
authorize the electrical contractor to commence work. The total
of all fees due for permits for each job, and the time such fees
are payable, shall be determined by the department by
administrative rule under ORS 479.730. The contractor shall keep
the bond or letter of credit in force at all times. Any
cancellation or revocation of the bond or letter of credit shall
revoke and suspend the license issued to the principal until such
time as a new bond or letter of credit shall be filed and
approved. The department may bring an action against the surety
named in the bond or the letter of credit issuer with or without
joining in such action the principal named in the bond or letter
of credit.
SECTION 4. { + A Class I or Class II oil module electrician's
license, limited journeyman railroad electrician license, limited
journeyman industrial electrician license or limited maintenance
manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle electrician license
that is in effect on the effective date of this 2007 Act shall
expire at the end of the license term and may not be renewed. + }
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