Commerce

Professional Licensing

Rule 55b: Electricians Licensing Act Rule

Effective Date: 08/01/2025

Admin. Code Reference: R156-55b

Rule Type: Current Rule

R156. Commerce, Professional Licensing.

R156-55b. Electricians Licensing Act Rule.

R156-55b-101. Title -- Authority -- Relationship to Rule R156-1.

(1) This rule is known as the "Electricians Licensing Act Rule".

(2) This rule is adopted by the Division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) to enable the Division to administer Title 58, Chapter 55, Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act.

(3) The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is described in Section R156-1-107.

R156-55b-102. Definitions.

This section establishes definitions to supplement the definitions in Title 58, Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, and Title 58, Chapter 55, Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act.

(1) "Completed a training program of electrical study" as used in Subsections R156-55b-302a(3)(a)(i) and R156-55b-302a(4)(a)(i) means that the applicant:

(a) attended a minimum of 72 classroom instruction hours each semester; and

(b) passed each class with a score of at least 75%.

(2)(a) "Electrical work" as used in Subsection 58-55-102(18)(a) and in this rule means:

(i) installation, fabrication or assembly of equipment or systems included in Premises Wiring;

(ii) installation of raceway systems used for any electrical purpose; and

(iii) installation of field-assembled systems such as ice and snow melting, pipe-tracing, or manufactured wiring systems.

(b) "Electrical work" does not include:

(i) installation of factory-assembled appliances or machinery that are not part of the Premises Wiring, unless wiring interconnections external to the equipment are required in the field.

(3) "Immediate supervision" as used in Subsections 58-55-102(8), (30), and (38) and this rule means:

(a) for non-residential electrical work, the apprentice and the supervising electrician are physically present on the same project or jobsite, but not required maintain a direct line of sight; and

(b) for residential electrical work, the supervising electrician, when not physically present on the same project or jobsite as the apprentice, is available to provide direction, oversight, inspection, and evaluation of the apprentice's work so as to ensure that the end result complies with applicable standards.

(4)(a) "Minor electrical work incidental to a mechanical or service installation" as used in Subsection 58-55-305(1)(n), means the electrical work involved in installation, replacement, or repair of HVAC equipment, appliances, or machinery that use electrical power, when wiring is extended no more than ten feet from an existing outlet or disconnect intended specifically for the piece of equipment, appliance, or machinery.

(b) Minor electrical work incidental to a mechanical or service installation, as used in Subsection 58-55-305(1)(n), does not include:

(i) modification or repair of Premises Wiring; or

(ii) installation of a disconnecting means or outlet.

(5) "Premises Wiring" means the same as defined in Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.

(6) "Residential project" as used in Subsection 58-55-302(3)(j)(iv) pertaining to supervision, means electrical work performed in a one- or two-family dwelling, including townhouses, as determined by Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.

(7) "Unprofessional conduct" is further defined, in accordance with Subsection 58-1-203(1)(e), in Section R156-55b-501.

(8) "Work commonly done by unskilled labor" as used in Subsection 58-55-102(18)(b)(iii) means work performed by unlicensed persons and includes assisting or handling wire on large wire pulls involving conduit of two inches or larger, when the task is performed under the immediate supervision of a properly licensed Master Electrician, or Journeyman Electrician acting within the scope of their license.

R156-55b-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education and Experience Requirements.

The education and experience requirements for licensure in Subsection 58-55-302(3) are defined, clarified, or established as follows:

(1) Master Electrician:

(a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(f)(i) shall:

(i) hold a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering from an electrical program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET); and

(ii) have at least 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician.

(b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(f)(ii) shall:

(i) hold an associate's degree in applied science from an electrical trade school course of study that meets the requirements of Subsection (5); and

(ii) have at least 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician.

(c) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(f)(iii) shall have at least 8,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician.

(2) Residential Master Electrician:

(a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(g)(i) shall have at least 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Residential Journeyman Electrician.

(b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(g)(ii) shall:

(ii) have at least 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician.

(3) Journeyman Electrician:

(a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(h)(i) shall:

(i) have completed a training program of electrical study:

(A) of at least 576 total hours in a program meeting the requirements of Subsection (5); and

(B) the total hours listed in Subsection R156-55b-(3)(a)(i)(A) must be completed in no less than 48 months; and

(ii) have at least 8,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician.

(b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(h)(ii) shall have at least 16,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician.

(4) Residential Journeyman Electrician:

(a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(i)(i) shall:

(i) have completed a training program of electrical study:

(A) of at least 288 total hours in a program meeting the requirements of Subsection (5); and

(B) the total hours listed in Subsection R156-55b-(4)(a)(i)(A) must be completed in no less than 24 months; and

(ii) have at least 4,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician.

(b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(i)(ii) shall have at least 8,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician.

(5) Under Subsection 58-1-203(1)(a) and Subsections 58-55-302(3)(f), (3)(h), and (3)(i), an electrical trade school "course of study" and the planned electrical "training program" approved by the Division, mean a program of electrical study that:

(a) includes measures of competency and achievement level for each student;

(b) is approved by the:

(i) Utah Board of Higher Education if the program is based in Utah; or

(ii) by the Division in collaboration with the Electricians Licensing Board if the program based outside of Utah; and

(iii) is listed on the Division's website, dopl.utah.gov/el.

(6) On the job training and instruction shall include measurements of the apprentice's performance in the electrical trade.

(7) Up to 3,000 hours of work experience may be credited for each 12 month period.

(8) As used in Subsection 58-55-302(3) and this rule, the terms "practical electrical experience", "practical experience", "full-time training", and "full-time experience" mean electrical work experience lawfully performed preceding the date of application.

R156-55b-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirements.

(1) Under Subsection 58-55-302(1)(c)(i), the exam requirements for licensure are established in this section.

(2) A Master Electrician or Residential Master Electrician applicant shall pass the Utah Master Electrician Law and Rule Exam with a score of at least 75%.

(3) A Journeyman Electrician applicant shall pass:

(a) the Utah Journeyman Electrician Written Exam with a score of at least 75%; and

(b) the Utah Electrician Practical Exam.

(4) A Residential Journeyman Electrician applicant shall pass:

(a) the Utah Residential Journeyman Electrician Exam with a score of at least 75%; and

(b) the Utah Residential Electrician Practical Exam.

(5) An applicant may be admitted to the exams after:

(a) the applicant has completed the requirements for licensure under Section R156-55b-302a;

(b) for a Journeyman Electrician applicant under Subsection R156-55b-302a(3)(a), the applicant has completed:

(i) the program of electrical study; and

(ii) at least 6,000 hours of the required full-time work experience; or

(i) the program of electrical study; and

(ii) at least 3,000 hours of the required full-time work experience.

(6) An applicant who fails an exam may retake that exam:

(a) no sooner than 30 days following any failure, up to six failures; and

(b) no sooner than 120 days following any failure thereafter.

R156-55b-302c. Qualifications - Expedited Licensure.

In accordance with Subsection 58-1-203(2) and 58-1-301(3), the requirements for expedited licensure pursuant to Subsections 58-55-302(3)(h)(iii) and 58-55-302(3)(i)(iii) are as follows:

(1) A licensed apprentice electrician may take the approved competency exams, in sequence beginning with 1A and continuing through 4B, to either satisfy the education requirement, or determine placement in a planned program of training approved by the Division.

(2) Division pre-approval is not required to sit for any competency exam.

(3) An applicant shall register directly with the Division's approved exam provider to sit for a competency exam.

(4) An applicant may attempt each competency exam one time.

(5) Admission to the subsequent competency exam is permitted after obtaining a minimum score of 75%.

(6) Placement in a planned program of training is determined when the applicant scores below 75% on the corresponding competency exam.

(7) Upon completion of all qualifying competency exams, the applicant may sit for the Utah journeyman or residential journeyman electrician exams.

R156-55b-303. Renewal Cycle - Procedures.

(1) Under Subsection 58-1-308(1), the renewal date for the two-year renewal cycle applicable to licensees under Title 58, Chapter 55, the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act is established in Section R156-1-308a.

(2) Renewal procedures shall be in accordance with Section R156-1-308c.

(3) Under Subsection 58-1-308(3)(b)(i), there is established a continuing education requirement for license renewal. Each licensee shall comply with the continuing education requirements in Section R156-55b-304.

(4) Each licensee shall renew their license in an online form approved by the Division, except as permitted by the Division in writing.

R156-55b-304. Continuing Education - Standards.

Standards for continuing education shall be in accordance with Subsections R156-55a-303b(1)(e) and (2) through (10), except as otherwise provided in this section.

(1) Required Hours. Pursuant to Sections 58-55-302.7 and 58-55-303, each licensee shall complete at least 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year license term. At least 12 hours shall be core education. The remaining four hours may be professional or core education.

(2) "Core continuing education" is defined as eight hours of education covering the National Electrical Code as adopted or proposed for adoption, and four hours of education covering the National Fire Protection Association 70E (NFPA 70E).

(3) "Professional continuing education" is defined as education covering:

(a) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA);

(b) electrical motors and motor controls;

(d) supervision skills related to the electrical trade.

(4) The Division may defer or waive continuing education requirements for:

(a) an instructor of a program of electrical study under Subsection R156-55b-302a(5);

(b) a board member who regularly attends the Electricians Licensing Board meetings; or

(5) Provider. A course provider need not be listed in Subsection 58-55-302.5(2), but shall meet the other requirements of this section and be:

(a) a recognized accredited college or university;

(b) a state or federal agency;

(d) a commercial continuing education provider providing a program related to the electrical trade.

(6) Content. Course content shall be relevant to the practice of the electrical trade and consistent with Utah laws and rules.

R156-55b-305. Licensure by Endorsement.

The Division may issue a license by endorsement in accordance with the provisions of Section 58-1-302.

R156-55b-401. Conduct of Apprentice and Supervising Electrician.

The requirements of Subsections 58-55-102(34) and 58-55-302(3)(j) are clarified and established as follows:

(1) An electrical contractor may comply with supervision requirements by contracting with a licensed professional employer organization to employ one or more licensed electricians.

(2) A licensed supervisor may have up to:

(a) two licensed apprentice electricians on a non-residential project; or

(b) three licensed apprentice electricians on a residential project.

R156-55b-501. Unprofessional Conduct.

"Unprofessional conduct" includes:

(1) failing to comply with the supervision requirements established by Subsection 58-55-302(3)(j);

(2) failing to timely provide upon request, the licensee's current electrician license or license number when performing electrical work;

(3) failing to provide proof of completed continuing education within 30 days of the Division's request; or

(4) failing to be knowledgeable of the electrician licensing laws and rules.

R156-55b-502. Administrative Penalties.

(1) The administrative penalties defined in Section R156-55a-503 of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Rule are hereby adopted as the administrative penalties applicable under this rule.

(2) The administrative penalty for a violation of Subsection 58-1-501(2)(o) under this rule shall be in accordance with Section R156-1-502.

KEY: occupational licensing, licensing, contractors, electricians

Date of Last Change: August 1, 2025

Notice of Continuation: May 26, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a); 58-55-308(1)