Building a successful career as a licensed electrical contractor in Georgia takes years of dedication, but a single complaint about your work, business, or conduct can jeopardize everything. Your license could be placed on probation, suspended, or even revoked, putting your livelihood and professional reputation at risk.
Facing allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence can feel overwhelming, and you may be unsure of how to respond. However, you have the right to defend yourself, and taking action is essential to protecting your future.
The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team represents electrical contractors and other licensed professionals throughout Georgia. We'll work with you to develop a strong defense and fight for the best possible outcome.
Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation, or fill out our contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to assist you.
Who Disciplines Electrical Contractor License Holders in Georgia?
In Georgia, the State Construction Industry Licensing Board issues, renews, suspends, denies, revokes, and generally administers licenses for electrical contractors in the state. The board has two divisions that deal with electrical contractors: the Division of Electrical Contractors and the Division of Low-voltage Contractors.
Georgia has several types of electrical contractor licenses that cover different scopes of work:
- Class I Electrical Contractor (Restricted): Restricted to electrical contracting involving multifamily structures of not more than two levels or single-family dwellings of up to three levels, and structures shall have single-phase electrical installations that don't exceed 400 amperes
- Class II Electrical Contractor (Non-Restricted): No restrictions on electrical contracting work
- Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-A: Alarm and general system low-voltage contracting
- Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-T: Telecommunication and general system low-voltage contracting
- Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-G: General system low-voltage contracting
- Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-U: Unrestricted and permits the performance of alarm, telecommunication, and general system low-voltage contracting
The board accepts and reviews complaints about licensed electrical and low-voltage contractors, which can be submitted by anyone. Every complaint receives serious consideration and if appropriate, the board initiates an investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
Violations that Can Lead to Disciplinary Action
The State Construction Industry Licensing Board can take disciplinary action against any licensed electrical or low-voltage contractor if they are found responsible for any of the following violations:
- False, fraudulent, or deceitful acts or use of any forged, false, or fraudulent document in connection with the license or certificate requirements of the board
- Failing to comply with licensure requirements
- Habitual intemperance in the use of alcoholic spirits, narcotics, or stimulants to such an extent to render the license holder unsafe or unfit to practice their licensed profession
- Dishonorable or unethical conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public
- Knowingly performing any act which assists an unlicensed or noncertified person to practice the profession
- Violating or assisting and abetting a violation of the board's rules
- Performing faulty, inadequate, inefficient, or unsafe electrical or low-voltage contracting likely to endanger life, health, or property (according to either state or local standards)
As a licensed professional, you're expected to uphold certain standards of behavior, in addition to carrying out your work up to state and local laws. But Georgia law doesn't explain what “dishonorable or unethical conduct” includes. You could be accused of and punished for wrongdoing by the board without realizing you were in violation of the rules in the first place, as the definition of “misconduct” could be based on the board's discretion.
Our Professional License Defense can help make sense of vague statutes and regulations and ensure that your rights are still upheld. The board may try to overstep and exercise its authority where it's not appropriate or even legally allowed. The Lento Law Firm can help prevent that from happening.
Potential Disciplinary Actions for Georgia Electricians
If the board finds you in violation of its rules, it can take disciplinary action against you. These actions include:
- Reprimand
- License or certificate suspension
- License or certificate revocation
- License or certificate cancellation
- Refusal to grant, renew, or restore a license or certificate
However, the board doesn't have the power to take any of the above actions until after it's issued you a formal notice and conducted a hearing. Generally, the board must also conduct an investigation before determining that there's been a violation.
While these actions aren't as serious as criminal penalties, they can still be a devastating blow to your livelihood. If your license is suspended, even temporarily, you cannot carry out electrical contracting work during that time. You would be unable to fulfill the contracts you have with clients or seek out new ones. If you own your own business, you may even have to cease operations while your license is suspended.
Obviously, a suspension like this would represent a loss of income, but it could also damage your reputation as a licensed electrical contractor. If clients are afraid that you may have to stop work at any given moment because of a disciplinary order from the licensing board, they may hesitate to hire you.
Disciplinary Process for Georgia Licensed Electrical Contractors
The process for disciplining electrical and low-voltage contractors in Georgia is long and complex, with multiple potential outcomes.
Complaint
The process starts when the board receives a complaint about an electrical or low-voltage contractor. Every complaint is assessed to determine if it's likely that a violation occurred. If it is, the board will investigate to get further information.
Investigation
During the investigation, the board may contact you to get information about the complaint. The investigator may also speak to potential witnesses concerning the alleged incident. However, the board isn't obligated to notify you of the investigation. It only has to inform you if it wants to pursue disciplinary action.
Investigations must remain confidential by law; the board can't use the files for anything other than a hearing to send to another enforcement agency.
Notice
The board must provide you with formal notice before taking formal disciplinary action concerning your license. This notice will set a time and date for a hearing, which you should attend if you want to defend your license. The notice will also have:
- Legal jurisdiction of the hearing
- Specific statutes and rules involved
- Short and plain statement of the alleged violation
- Statement of right to subpoena witnesses and gather documentary evidence
Other Possible Resolutions
Not all complaints lead to a hearing, and some don't even make it as far as an investigation. According to the board, some other possible resolutions to complaints are:
- No Violation or Insufficient Evidence: The board found no violation or there's not enough evidence to substantiate a violation.
- Letter of Concern: No rules or laws were violated but the board still wishes to express concern about the complaint. This letter is private.
- Closed after an Inspection: The board conducts a public inspection and finds no violation; inspection reports are public.
- Order Monies Received: The board asks for a fine concerning a violation found during the inspection. This information is public.
- Private Consent Order: The board finds a violation of the laws or rules governing electrical or low-voltage contracting and establishes a private agreement with you in lieu of disciplinary action.
- Public Consent Order: The board finds a violation of the laws or rules governing electrical or low-voltage contracting and establishes a public agreement with you. This information is published on your license record.
Depending on your circumstances, a consent order might be a good option for you. You can usually avoid more serious disciplinary action, but the board will place certain restrictions on your license, such as undergoing a probationary period, agreeing to the supervision of your work, or additional continuing education. Keep in mind that although these alternatives might sound less serious than a license suspension, they could also have a big impact on your career and may be practically difficult for you to achieve.
The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Team can help you decide what the best choice is in your situation. We'll thoroughly assess your case and project how each option could affect you in the short- and long-term.
Hearing
If the board formally charges you with a violation and there's no consent order, the matter moves to a hearing. The hearing will take place before a Georgia Administrative Law Judge. At the hearing, and throughout the disciplinary process, you're allowed to be represented by legal counsel. You (or your attorney) will also have the opportunity to gather evidence beforehand and then present it at the hearing. You'll also be able to cross-examine any witnesses that the board brings forward.
Decision
Once the formal hearing ends, the Administrative Law Judge issues an initial decision and recommends disciplinary action. Either you or the board may ask for a review of this decision within 30 days. If you don't ask for review within 30 days, this initial decision becomes final.
Appeals
After the final decision is issued, you can appeal it via judicial review to the Superior Court of Fulton County or the county where you reside. The court can either affirm the board's decision or remand it for further proceedings. In some cases, the court can also reverse or modify the decision. Also, it's important to note that judicial review doesn't prevent the board's decision from taking effect. The board may decide to stay the disciplinary action but isn't required to do so.
As you can see, the disciplinary process concerning electrical or low-voltage contractors in Georgia can be quite long and complex. If you're unfamiliar with administrative law or you've never been subjected to investigation before, you may find yourself completely lost in all these proceedings. Our Professional License Defense Team can navigate this process for you. We can collect evidence and question witnesses on your behalf, make sure all paperwork is filed on time, and coach you on how to best deal with the board.
How the Lento Law Firm Can Help Defend Your Georgia Electrical Contractor License
If you are accused of misconduct, don't assume your electrical contractor license is secure. Even if you've done nothing wrong, you could still face sanctions. The disciplinary process for professional license holders is designed to prioritize public safety over individual careers, meaning the board may impose harsher penalties than expected if there is any doubt about the allegations. Every complaint is taken seriously, and you should approach your defense with the same level of urgency.
Our Professional License Defense Team is here to guide you through the process and advocate for your rights. Here's how we can help:
- Independent Investigation: While the board conducts its own investigation, we don't rely solely on its findings. We perform a thorough, independent review of the complaint and gather our own evidence.
- Strategic Negotiation: We communicate directly with the board on your behalf, working to secure a favorable outcome, whether that means avoiding a hearing or minimizing potential penalties.
- Comprehensive Representation: We stand by your side in all meetings and hearings, ensuring your rights and interests are fully defended throughout the process.
- Legal Advocacy: If needed, we're prepared to take further legal action, including filing a lawsuit, to protect your license and livelihood. We provide clear guidance on your options and the best course of action.
If you are facing a professional complaint, you don't have to handle it alone. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is committed to protecting your career and providing the strongest defense possible.
Protect Your Livelihood with Our Professional License Defense Team
The Lento Law Firm helps licensed professionals, including electricians, throughout Georgia. Whether you're working in Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Athens, or any other city in the state, our team is prepared to defend your license and help you protect the career you've built through years of dedication and hard work.
Becoming a licensed electrician in Georgia requires significant effort, and a disciplinary issue shouldn't put your future at risk. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to speak with our Professional License Defense Team about protecting your license and defending your rights. You can also fill out our online form, and a team member will reach out to you.
