If you are one of the more than forty thousand electricians working in New York State, you've likely spent thousands upon thousands of hours learning, training, apprenticing, mentoring, and working at your trade to get to the position you are at. The profession has a reputation for exacting standards, proficient practitioners, and dedication to continued growth and learning to keep your skills and knowledge sharp and up to date. If you've built a successful career in this essential industry, it's worth fighting for, if your electrician license and livelihood are ever at risk.
On this page, we aim to cover some of the licensing requirements in various cities throughout the state, as well as give you a general idea of what to expect if your electrician license is ever in jeopardy.
If you find yourself in this situation, the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team will help you work with the government to resolve your case. If you are at risk of losing your electrician license, call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and we will reach out.
No Statewide Electrician Licensing Authority in New York
If you're a practicing electrician in New York, then you are aware that electricians are not licensed by a single statewide governing board here, and that there are no statewide regulations pertaining to electricians. This is somewhat unique, in that most professions in New York are overseen by the Office of the Professions, or for some medical professionals, the Office of Professional Medical Conduct.
By contrast, electricians in New York are overseen by their specific municipality, each with their own specific laws and licensing requirements pertaining to electricians. Typically, New York's larger cities and towns require a license to perform electrical work, often overseen by a local licensing board. However, in some parts of the state, particularly rural areas like upstate New York, anyone can perform electrical work.
Electrician License Reciprocity
Electricians licensed in one municipality in New York State may be able to perform work in another, depending on whether those cities have reciprocity agreements. For example, the Town of West Seneca, which oversees Master Electrician Licenses and Master Residential Electrician Licenses, offers reciprocity licenses to electricians with proof of their current licenses from another municipality in the state and proof of insurance. Similarly, electricians wishing to work in the City of Ithaca who are licensed in another city or town in New York can apply for a special reciprocal license. Greene County, New York, reciprocates specifically with the cities of Albany, Amsterdam, Kingston, Newburgh, Oneonta, Poughkeepsie, Schenectady, Sullivan, and Troy.
Protect Your Electrician License
Along with the benefits of holding an electrician license comes accountability. If something ever goes wrong, you make a mistake, or a paperwork deadline slips by, this can have a serious impact on your career, and your license may be on the line.
If this happens to you, know that the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has experience defending licensed electricians and working with professional licensing boards throughout New York. We understand the complexities of electrician licensing in the state, as well as the different classes of licenses.
Let's take a look at some cities and towns throughout the state and how they issue electrician licenses and handle violations.
Licensed Electricians in New York City
In New York City, electricians can apply for a Master Electrician License or Special Electrician License. These licenses, which must be renewed every year, are overseen by the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). Those holding a Master Electrician License can perform work in any building or lot in the city. Special Electricians, by contrast, are licensed to work in specific buildings or lots.
Electrician License Suspension and Revocation in NYC
Generally, electrician licenses in NYC can be suspended, revoked, or deactivated for a variety of reasons. One may also have the opportunity to voluntarily agree to surrender or suspend their license.
Electricians in NYC have faced penalties including fines, probation, license suspension, voluntary suspension, license revocation, and mandates to prove compliance within a certain time frame. Some of the actions that can result in such sanctions in the city include:
- Disregarding the Electrical Code and related laws and rules
- Negligence
- Incompetence
- Lack of knowledge
- Failure to be properly established
- Performing work without a permit or using the wrong license
- Failing to pay prevailing wages required for a public contract
- Failing to have a code compliant sign at one's place of business
- Allowing workers not on one's payroll to perform work under their permit
- Failing to pay fines
- Failing to have adequate insurance on file with the Department of Buildings
If you are disciplined by the DOB, information about your violation and penalties will be publicly posted to their website. DOB also publicly shares more detailed information about violations in their monthly Enforcement Bulletins.
Reporting Violations by a NYC-Licensed Electrician
Residents can file complaints about licensed electricians using an online reporting form, through the mail, or over the phone, depending on the nature of the complaint. For example, if someone suspects criminal activity or corruption by a city contractor, they can file a complaint online to the City Inspector General under the Department of Investigation. If the electrician is employed by the city, New Yorkers can submit a complaint online, which is sent to the commissioner, with the Department of Buildings.
Licensed Electricians in Buffalo, New York
Looking at another example, Buffalo issues Journeyman Electrician Licenses and a Master Electrician License to qualifying electricians. Journeyman licenses are issued by the Commissioner of Permit and Inspection Services, who holds the authority to revoke the licenses, when needed. Master Electrician Licenses are overseen by an Examining Board of Electricians, which is responsible for investigating complaints and reporting their findings and recommendations to the Commissioner of Permit and Inspection Services. It is the commissioner who has the authority to suspend or revoke a license if an electrician fails to comply with the City Code and the National Electrical Code requirements.
Licensed Electricians in Rochester, New York
Similarly, there are two types of electrician licenses in Rochester, New York: Single Phase (Residential) and Master (Journeyman).
Some electricians hold a temporary license, under one of the categories above, which is valid for 30 days. Temporary license holders are bound to the same regulations as permanent electricians. Permanent licenses must be renewed every two years.
Rochester's Electrical Examining Board is charged with:
- Investigating and examining the technical ability of electricians applying for a license to work in the City of Rochester.
- Deciding which type of license should be issued to applicants or those seeking renewal of their license.
- Investigating and examining any charges against license holders.
The board is overseen by the Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development.
Electrician License Suspension and Revocation in Rochester
Electricians in Rochester may have their temporary or permanent electrician licenses suspended or revoked for a variety of reasons. Examples of violations include:
- Falsely representing oneself as a master electrician on marketing materials or signage, including unauthorized use of the terms master electrician, special electrician, or licensed electrical contractor.
- Selling, lending, or renting their license to another person, or using someone else's license.
If a license-holder is suspected of a violation, they are referred to the Municipal Code Violations Bureau, and the Electrical Examining Board may hold a hearing. Sanctions include fines, which increase with each successive offense.
Licensed Electricians in Albany, New York
Similar to Rochester, Albany's licensed electricians are licensed through an Electrical Examining Board, whose members include the Director of the Division of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance. This is the authority that also investigates any charges of violations brought against licensed electricians in Albany.
Electricians in Albany may be working under a Journeyman or Master Electrician License. Anyone violating Albany's Electrical Licensing Ordinance – for example, by falsely claiming to be a Master Electrician or failing to arrange for a final inspection of work to close out the permit – can face sanctions. Licensed electricians must also comply with all city ordinances. Failure to do so can also result in both fines and imprisonment. Electricians charged with a violation must be notified in writing so they have an opportunity to answer to the charges in a hearing before members of the Electrical Examining Board. Licensing sanctions are as follows:
- A first offense is punishable by a license suspension of up to six months.
- A second offense within the same year is punishable by a license suspension of up to one year.
- A third offense within the same year may be punishable by a permanent license revocation.
General Process for Investigating License Complaints
While New York does not have a uniform process for investigating and penalizing licensed electricians, wherever you are licensed, you can generally expect the following process for any investigation, due process, appeals, and consequences. This may not align with your municipality, but it should give you an overall idea of what you might face.
An investigation often starts with someone – a client, former client, colleague, resident, etc. – filing a complaint, alleging that an electrician violated city code or misrepresented their license in some way. The governing body overseeing electrician licenses, if there is one, will then notify the electrician of the complaint and investigate the matter. This could include talking to the complainant and potential witnesses and gathering relevant proof that a violation occurred.
If there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, the authority may schedule a hearing, offering the respondent an opportunity to defend themself.
At this point, if they are not already working with strong legal counsel, they should contact the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team for representation. At the hearing's conclusion, it will be determined whether the license-holder is guilty of any violations, and if so, what the penalties will be. This could include fines or imprisonment, or suspension, revocation, or voluntary surrender of their electrician license. If they have an opportunity to appeal, we will work with them every step of the way, doing all we can to defend their license and clear their record of any wrongdoing.
Whether the complaint against you pertains to false representation, poor record keeping, fraudulent practices, negligence, misconduct, violations of the electrical code, or a criminal conviction, clients working with us should expect that we will:
- Represent you as your legal counsel in all interactions with the administrative board investigating a complaint.
- Strategize a strong defense strategy, including evidence gathering, witness procurement, and more.
- Develop a watertight written response to the complaint.
- Negotiate with the governing authority, if applicable, to dismiss the complaint or impose less severe sanctions.
- Secure the most favorable terms possible in a consent agreement.
Worried About Losing Your License?
We're ready to start work on your case today. We will use every minute you give us to prep your case prior to any interviews, hearings, appeals, or legal processes so you can keep working.
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has the experience needed to address licensing enforcement action throughout the State of New York.
Call us at 888-535-3686 today for a consultation about how we will defend your electrician license. You can also contact us online, with your case details, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible.
