When it comes to common electrical problems, most homeowners in the U.S. have no idea where to begin when it comes to trying to fix them.
If you're in this boat, it's important to avoid trying to handle electrical issues on your own. This is a recipe for disaster and could leave you injured or your home seriously damaged. Instead, you need to hire an electrician who has the training and experience necessary to handle the job the right way.
In order to see the best results from working with an electrician, it's important to hire someone who has the proper license and qualifications.
Read on to learn more about the licensing process for electricians and how to verify that your electrician is qualified to handle the issues you're experiencing in your home.
Licensing Requirements for Electricians
Every state has different licensing requirements for electricians. In the state of Texas, an electrician must receive a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
There are several different types of licenses an electrician can obtain in the state of Texas, including the following:
Electrical Apprentice License
This is a license to learn to become an electrician.
Texas does not require any education to obtain this license. The apprentice must pass a background check, though, and pay a fee in order to receive their license. They must also work under a master electrician.
An electrical apprentice will never work on your house alone. A master electrician will supervise them, teach them what to do, and ensure all their work is up-to-par.
Journeyman License
In order to obtain a basic license, which is known as a journeyman license, they need to have completed at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience and passed a licensing exam.
An electrician with a journeyman license can install wiring and other pieces of electrical equipment. They cannot plan or design systems, though.
Electricians with a journeyman license also work under the supervision of a master electrician.
Once they've received their license, electricians need to keep it up-to-date by renewing it every year. In order to renew their license, electricians in the state of Texas need to complete four hours of continuing education on an annual basis.
Master Electrician
In Texas, an individual can also become a master electrician by completing 12,000 hours of on-the-job training while being supervised by another master electrician.
They must also have held a journeyman license for at least two years and passed an additional standardized test.
A master electrician has up-to-date knowledge of the National Electrical Code and all of its most recent updates. They're qualified to plan and design electrical systems, as well as install and maintain them.
Verifying an Electrician's License
If you've decided that it's time to call an electrician to address a problem in your home, the first thing you should do is ask about whether or not they have a license. Don't stop there, though. You also need to verify that their license is up-to-date.
The following are some steps you can take to verify an electrician's license and ensure they're credible before you hire them:
Contact the Department of Licensing and Regulations.
The easiest way to verify a Texas electrician's license is to contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
If you provide them with the electrician's full name, the name of their company, or the number that's on their license, they should be able to tell you whether that electrician is licensed to work in your community.
Ask for Proof of Insurance
You can also ask the electrician for proof of liability insurance. Then, you can reach out to their insurance provider and ask them to verify the electrician's license.
This is a good step to take anyway, even if you've already verified the license through the Department of Licensing and Regulations.
This step will help you ensure their insurance is comprehensive and up-to-date. That way, you won't be held responsible for anything that goes wrong while they're working on your home.
Make Sure Everything Matches
Finally, make sure that everything matches up on the electrician's license. Their name and their business name should match the names listed on the license.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people forget to look closely when they receive the license. Doing a quick double check when you first obtain a copy of the license can save you a lot of trouble and frustration later on.
Tips for Hiring a Trustworthy Electrician
There are more than 656,510 electricians currently working in the U.S. and approximately 61,000 who work in the state of Texas. Clearly, there are a lot of electricians out there for you to choose from. They're not all created equal, though.
The first step to ensuring you're working with a trustworthy electrician is to make sure they have an up-to-date license. There are some other factors you need to consider, too, including the following:
Check their references
Read online reviews and testimonials
Make sure there are no complaints against them with the Better Business Bureau
Discuss their area of expertise and make sure they're equipped to handle the specific issues you're experiencing
It's also a good idea to request a quote before you agree to work with a particular electrician. This will help you know what the repairs will cost you and avoid unpleasant surprises later on.
Work with an Electrician Today
Now that you know more about the licensing process and requirements for electricians, you'll be better able to vet candidates and find someone who's qualified to handle your electrical issues.
If you're looking for a qualified, reliable electrician in the Rockwall, TX area, we can help at Rockwall Electric.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to fill out our electrician service request form. We'll get back to you right away and get someone out to service your home!