Midwest Rural Energy Council

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Governor Signs Electrician Licensing Bill
Electrical safety and consumer protection measure becomes law

A measure requiring electricians and electrical contractors to be licensed by the state was signed into law today by Governor Jim Doyle.

February 19, 2008, Press Release, Representative Al Ott's Office

Ott Applauds Senate Approval of Electrician Licensing Bill
Measure Aims to Improve Electrical Safety

Madison – In floor action today, the Wisconsin State Senate gave unanimous approval to a measure requiring state licensure of electricians and electrical contractors.

Authored by Representative Al Ott (R-Forest Junction) and Senator Russ Decker (D-Weston), Senate Bill 167 (SB 167) aims to improve electrical safety by instituting a statewide licensing requirement for electricians and electrical contractors. The proposed licensing structure is similar to that currently in place for plumbers.

“Unlike barbers, plumbers, accountants, real estate agents, and numerous other professionals, electricians working in Wisconsin do not need to be licensed by the state,” said Ott. “Many people are surprised to learn that electricians are not required to be licensed, especially because of the safety implications of improper electrical wiring.”

In order to be licensed as an electrician under SB 167, a person must either complete an apprenticeship program or have a minimum amount of experience in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring, and pass an examination administered by the Department of Commerce. Thirty-four other states, including Minnesota and Michigan, currently have licensing requirements for electricians. “This bill is, first and foremost, about safety,” Ott said. “In turn, SB 167 is about providing consumers with the assurance that those who are billing themselves as electricians and electrical contractors actually have the training, skills, and knowledge necessary to perform this type of work safely and correctly,” added Ott.

In addition to the licensing requirements, SB 167 directs the Department of Commerce to create a statewide electrical wiring code that establishes standards for installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring. The bill also calls for the development of standards for the inspection of all electrical wiring, and requires that electrical inspectors be certified by the Department.

“This licensing requirement, along with increased electrical inspection, should improve the quality and safety of electrical wiring,” Ott concluded.

SB 167 has widespread support from electricians, electrical contractors, labor unions, utilities, electric cooperatives, and others who are interested in improving the safety and quality of electrical wiring in Wisconsin. The bill now awaits action by the State Assembly, which is scheduled to go back into session on Tuesday, February 26th.

February 19th, 2008: Mankato, MN
February 20th, 2008: Norfolk, NE
February 21st, 2008: Des Moines, IA

We are in the process of redesigning the series of stray voltage investigators’ courses with the following objectives:

Our strategy is to combine web-based instructional modules with our classroom sessions. When you enroll for a course you will be sent instructions on accessing the web-based instructional material. You will need to successfully complete these instructional modules before attending the class room session. Each instructional module will have a short quiz to test your knowledge. After the classroom session you will take a ‘final exam’ on-line as well.

46^th Annual Rural Energy Conference
February 27-29^,2008
At the LaCrosse, WI Radisson Conference Center

This year we will return to La Crosse, WI to discuss recent trends in electric distribution technology, distributed generation and interconnection, stray voltage issues, energy efficiency in agriculture and meeting the needs of the expanding bio-energy market.

The MREC 2008 conference will include two days filled with informative workshops from rural energy professionals. These workshops will be sure to make this the most worthwhile event you’ll attend in 2008. Our keynote speakers will be announced in the near future.

The Midwest Rural Energy Council is a membership organization whose mission is to support outreach, education and research on rural energy issues for the benefit of:

We would like to hear from you! For more information about the MREC, contact the secretary using the e-mail address listed below.