In Indiana, electrical contractors are crucial in illuminating and powering homes, businesses, and industries. Unlike many other trades and occupations, there is no state-wide licensing requirement for electrical contractors. Instead, local governments determine the licensing requirements and provide oversight of individuals performing electrical work. Individuals must ensure they meet the licensing requirements of any area in which they are working on electrical systems and providing electrical services.
If you are an electrical contractor, hard at work, upgrading residential wiring or installing electrical service in an industrial setting, a complaint against your license may come as a complete surprise. Your years of training, education, and experience have not prepared you to defend an attack against your license. We can help.
The Lento Law Firm defends electrical contractors accused of misconduct in Indiana. Regardless of the allegations, our experienced attorneys are ready to protect you and fight for your best interests. From Indianapolis to Lafayette to South Bend, we can defend your license from county and municipal licensing authorities. To discuss your case with the Professional License Defense Team, call our offices at 888-535-3686 or complete a confidential consultation form.
In Indiana, Electrical Contractors Are Licensed by Counties and Municipalities
Electrical contractors are not licensed at the state level in Indiana. Instead, counties and municipalities oversee and manage the license application, issuance, renewal, continuing education, and disciplinary processes for electrical contractors. As a result, there are different but often similar processes, procedures, requirements, and regulations in each of Indiana's counties and cities.
Before you perform electrical services, it is critically important that you obtain the required licenses and registrations for the area in which you work. Understanding the licensing requirements in the cities and counties in which you work will help you avoid violations.
Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana
In Indianapolis, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services and its Board of Electrical Examiners issues two types of licenses for electrical contractors:
- A master license allows the licensee to perform any type of electrical work without limitation.
- A residential license allows the licensee to perform electrical work in one- or two-family residences.
An electrical license is necessary to connect electrical power for on-site construction, to install, replace, service, or repair an electrical power distribution system, and to service equipment supplying power to factory-constructed residences located in a mobile home park. Additionally, licensed electrical contractors can install, modernize, replace service, or repair some space heating and cooling equipment.
Evansville in Vanderburgh County, Indiana
The Building Commission, serving the residents of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, manages the issuance of three types of electrical licenses: master electrician, journeyman electrician, and apprentice electrician. Master electricians install, repair, and contract to install or repair wires, conductors, and equipment for the transmission and use of electricity. Journeyman electricians are licensed to work for a registered and licensed master electrician. An apprentice electrician is part of an approved apprentice training program.
Fort Wayne in Allen County, Indiana
In Allen County, which includes Fort Wayne, the licensing ordinance directs the Building Department to oversee electrical contracting licensing regulations for “any person, firm, or corporation who engages in electrical contracting including the securing of permits for installation, alterations, and repair of any electrical wiring devices, appliances, or equipment” to obtain a license. Allen County issues master electrical licenses and journeyman electrical licenses.
Throughout Indiana, other authorities oversee the licensing of electrical contractors, including:
- The Monroe County Licensing and Registration Board oversees the examination, registration, and licensing of electrical contractors in Monroe County.
- In Lafayette, the city's Department of Engineering and Public Works manages the licensing of electrical contractors.
- In South Bend and St. Joseph County, the Building Department oversees contractor registration and licenses, including electrical contractors.
Generally, individuals who are performing electrical work in the home they own and live in are not required to obtain an electrical contractor license. If the work performed by a homeowner-occupant requires a building permit, there may be additional requirements.
In Indiana, there are 92 counties and over 500 municipalities. Without a state-wide licensing regime, Indiana electrical contractors are left to wade through the processes set up by local authorities. No matter where you work, the Lento Law Firm can help you protect your electrician license and your work.
Electrical Contractors Are Expected to Comply with Electrical Codes, Conduct Business with Integrity, and Avoid Fraudulent Activities
Throughout Indiana, local codes and licensing rules for electricians and electrical contractors prohibit conduct that would jeopardize the safety and quality of electrical services, demonstrate the impaired judgment of the electrical contractor, or could lead to the exploitation of the public. Examples of problem conduct that could be prohibited in the counties or municipalities in Indiana include:
- Making materially false statements to the licensee authority on an application for a license or an application for license renewal.
- Engaging in fraud or other acts of dishonesty during the license examination.
- Failing to post and maintain a surety bond and insurance as required.
- Acting fraudulently or deceitfully in conducting business concerning electrical service with other people, partnerships, or corporations.
- Consistently failing to apply for or obtain the permits required for electrical work that the licensee performed or which was performed under the supervision of the licensee.
- Failing to file certificates of completion and compliance on time.
- Failing to correct a violation of building standards and procedures for electrical work after receiving notification of a violation, having a building permit revoked, or being issued a stop-work order.
- Concealing or attempting to conceal violations of building standards or codes.
- Failing to properly supervise electrical work for which the licensee is responsible.
- Consistently failing to give notice of availability for inspections, as required by law.
Any allegation that you have engaged in prohibited conduct should be taken seriously. Assume it is a legitimate threat to your license and prepare for the licensing authority's disciplinary procedures. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can help you challenge any complaint made against you or your word.
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team Can Partner with You
The Lento Law Firm defends electrical contractors accused of misconduct throughout Indiana. We know that a threat to your license is a threat to your financial security.
Although Indiana does not have a single, state-wide license disciplinary process for electrical contractors, there are common elements to most complaint investigations and hearings, such as:
Complaint
In most cases, anyone can file a complaint against you. It is common for license complaints to be made by unhappy clients and other industry professionals, including inspectors from local governments who are responsible for reviewing your work.
Once received, licensing authorities usually review the allegations and contact the accused licensee for a response. If necessary, there may be an investigation into the accusations.
Hearing
A licensee accused of a violation will likely have the opportunity to challenge the complaint and any recommended sanction by participating in a hearing.
During a hearing, the accused electrical contractor or their counsel is provided an opportunity to produce evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, challenge the complaint, and argue against harsh sanctions.
Sanctions
Local licensing authorities can suspend or revoke an electrical contractor's license, making it impossible for a sanctioned electrical contractor to work in the area.
Appeal
If a licensee is sanctioned, they may have limited rights to appeal. Most avenues of appeal require that the licensee meet timeline requirements. Additionally, there may be an opportunity to seek reinstatement of a suspended or revoked license.
Emergency Action
In emergencies, local authorities may have the right to revoke, without a hearing or notice, a license based on accusations of incompetence, unethical conduct, deception, fraud, or code violations.
License complaint procedures are adversarial and often involve strict timelines. A missed deadline or a careless statement can unnecessarily complicate your case, be used as evidence against you, or be treated as an admission of a violation.
If you are accused of professional misconduct, partner with the experienced attorneys from the Lento Law Firm. Regardless of the nature of the complaint, we can challenge the allegation against you and fight for your electrical contractor license.
From your initial response through any necessary hearing, you want to ensure that any statement you make and every document you provide to the licensing authority is part of a deliberate effort to challenge the allegations against you. Let the Lento Law Firm develop and execute a comprehensive defense strategy to protect your license.
Let the Lento Law Firm Defend Your License and Your Future
In Indiana, license disciplinary hearings are adversarial, and licensing boards don't care that you need your electrical contractor license to work. Instead of facing the board alone, build a defense team with the Lento Law Firm. Let us help you protect your license and career.
The Lento Law Firm can work to defend your license at every step of the disciplinary process by:
- Analyzing the complaint and developing a defense strategy.
- Serving as a trusted partner, providing legal guidance and information about the process and potential sanctions.
- Ensuring the licensing authority meets its notice and due process requirements.
- Preparing you for an interview or interaction with an investigator and to give testimony during a deposition or hearing.
- Drafting your response, correspondence, and other documents for timely submission to the authorities.
- Identifying mitigating evidence and exonerating witnesses to challenge the allegations against you.
- Advocating on your behalf before, during, and after any disciplinary hearing.
- Developing an appeal or reinstatement strategy, if necessary.
You've spent years developing your skills in a complex trade. The stakes are high during a license disciplinary investigation and hearing. A single complaint can place you, your reputation, and your future in jeopardy. You don't have to navigate it alone. The sooner you contact the Lento Law Firm, the sooner we can manage your defense. Let us fight for your license so that you can focus on your work.
License Disciplinary Proceedings Can Lead to Devastating Adverse Consequences
Across Indiana, you need a license to work as an electrician and electrical contractor. Your license is the foundation for your and your family's financial security. Even a single complaint from a disgruntled customer can start in motion a disciplinary process that puts your reputation, license, and livelihood at risk. Any complaint that places your license at risk should be vigorously challenged, and at the Lento Law Firm, we understand the risks and can offer strategies to protect yourself.
An adverse determination by a licensing board can undermine your life and career by making it difficult, if not impossible, to work in your chosen profession. Harsh disciplinary sanctions, such as having your license suspended or revoked, may end your current employment and limit future opportunities. You work too hard to lose your license and jeopardize your financial security.
Disciplinary proceedings can also take a toll on your personal life. The stress of an ongoing investigation, the contentious nature of an adversarial disciplinary process, and the possible sanctions can undermine your mental and physical health.
You don't have to navigate the license complaint and disciplinary process alone. You can partner with the Lento Law Firm. The Professional License Defense Team can manage your license defense so that you can continue supporting your clients.
It's Never Too Late to Contact the Lento Law Firm
At the Lento Law Firm, we protect Indiana's electrical contractors and their licenses. We understand the importance of your work to you and your clients. Whether you have just learned of the complaint against you or have learned of a sanction, we can partner with you.
From Indianapolis, Fishers, and Carmel to Bloomington, Hammond, Gary, and all the communities in between, our Professional License Defense Team helps electrical contractors respond to complaints and navigate license investigations, hearings, and sanctions. In any area and regardless of the allegation, our experienced attorneys can fight on your behalf. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to discuss your case.
