Getting an e-mail or a letter in the mail telling you your electrician's license hangs in the balance because of violations or complaints can leave you wondering what to do next. After all, obtaining and maintaining credentials takes an immense effort of time and money, allowing you to earn a living for your family. If your an electrician running a small businesses, your employees rely on your ability to conduct legal electrical work.
When authorities discipline Pennsylvania electricians, it can have severe implications for daily life. Unfortunately, even seemingly minor infractions can eventually lead to:
- Fees and fines that take away your hard-earned money
- Cease and desist orders that restrict or completely halt your ability to work
- License suspension or revocation that leaves you without a job or the chance to work elsewhere
Although allegations—even unfounded ones—can cause worry about one's future in the business, there is an opportunity for defense. Most importantly, the path to a successful challenge against violations begins by reaching out to the LLF Law Firm.
The LLF Law Firm Professional License Defense stands prepared to protect your ability to work as an electrician anywhere in Pennsylvania. Whether you're managing the complaint process, disciplinary hearings, or filing appeals, we can provide the assistance needed to protect your ability to work. Call the LLF Law Firm Professional License Defense Team at 888-535-3686 now or fill out our confidential consultation form, and we will contact you.
Pennsylvania Licensing Regulations
Most states have government departments dedicated to establishing and maintaining rules surrounding the certification of electricians. However, Pennsylvania does things differently.
The Commonwealth does not require a state license to perform electrical work. The Department of Labor and Industry licenses all but a few trades, with one of the exclusions being electricians. Each of Pennsylvania's 2,562 municipalities creates its own local licensure or certification requirements. Since state governing bodies don't have jurisdiction in electrical licensing, the information regarding conduct standards, competency requirements, and guidelines for appropriate electrical work lies within each municipal authority.
Notably, most electrical work in Pennsylvania requires a license, including low-voltage systems. However, each municipality carries a list of exemptions found within its respective trade boards or licensing authorities.
Municipal Trade Boards and Licensing Authorities
Some municipalities have more than one license type depending on experience level and the specific types of work being performed. For example, to operate an electrical contracting company in Allentown, individuals must have both a trade license and a business license. Likewise, in Philadelphia, they must have an electrical contractor license and a commercial activity license, including fulfilling additional provisions, such as registering and completing Business Income and Receipts Tax forms.
Although it's not an exhaustive list, the following are examples of which departments in certain municipalities handle the electrician licensing and oversight process:
- Allentown: Department of Community and Economic Development
- Erie: Trades Licensing Board
- Lancaster: Department of Community Planning and Economic Development
- Pittsburgh: Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections
- Philadelphia: Department of Licenses and Inspections
Electricians in any municipality must also understand how their work intersects with Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Critically, if any contractors—including electricians in many circumstances—complete work in which the total cash price of the agreement is more than $500, they must register with the Attorney General's Office.
License Reciprocity
Just because an electrician can work in Bradford, or Erie, or Altoona, doesn't mean they can travel anywhere for their profession. There is no statewide license reciprocity. Instead, when individuals become credentialed in one municipality, there are often others that have reciprocity between them. For instance, electricians licensed in Reading can perform work in the following areas:
- Bethlehem
- Easton
- Erie
- Harrisburg
- Philadelphia
- Scranton
They may also work in the states of Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Additionally, in the State of New York, but in Sullivan County only. Moreover, while reciprocity exists for the state of Delaware and Hartford and Montgomery Counties in Maryland, it is only for a licensed journeyman electrician, not apprentices, appliance installers, or those with "special" licenses. However, master electricians can work in Maryland statewide.
Each municipal licensing authority will have its own unique set of locations for electricians to work, including reciprocity. They also have strict guidelines for competency and conduct on the job.
Electrician Standards of Conduct
Electricians throughout Pennsylvania play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and functionality of electrical infrastructure across residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Although education and experience are vital to the profession, each municipality also enforces strict standards of conduct.
If electricians are licensed or work through reciprocity in Pittsburgh, they must adhere to the following conduct standards:
- Permit all reasonable inspections of their business or credentials by public authorities
- Operate in a proper manner, avoiding all forbidden or unnecessary practices that may affect the public negatively
- Be current in their tax obligations
- Display their license where it may easily be seen at all times by interested parties
- Place insignias on vehicles or machines used in connection with licensed activity
- Keep all records and books necessary to fulfill investigators' needs
Not only are there rules governing the conduct and competence of electricians, but also the insurance they carry. Nevertheless, since each municipality creates its own thresholds, they vary by city and county. For instance, Pittsburgh requires licensees to have no less than $300,000 in general liability insurance. On the other hand, in Philadelphia, electrical contractors must have $500,000 worth of coverage for liability, worker's compensation, and automotive policies.
Municipalities also host rules for prohibited conduct. Concerning the electrician profession, most will levy disciplinary action for fraudulent representation of licensing or competency, violations of local ordinances, obstruction of inspections, and crimes involving moral turpitude. Allegations of breaching licensing standards or consumer complaints regarding services are handled by each municipality's governing commerce, electrician, or trades board. They will also handle instances of unlicensed or unpermitted work.
Local Agency Law Hearings
Since there is no statewide department handling electrician license complaints or adjudicating violations, the municipal department that issued the license manages the grievance process. Whether electricians are certified through the Altoona Electrical and Plumbing Examiners Board, the East Stroudsburg Trade Licensing Board, or another local agency, they have the sole authority to restrict, suspend, or revoke an individual's ability to perform legal and permitted work.
The procedures used to discipline licensees on the local level are found in the Commonwealth's Local Agency Law. It establishes a comprehensive framework for administrative hearings, ensuring that individuals and businesses are afforded due process.
Procedures begin when a formal complaint is filed against a licensed electrician. They can be submitted by clients, other professionals, or members of the public who have concerns about the licensee's conduct or the quality of their work. Upon receipt of a complaint, the local agency notifies the electrician, providing details of the allegations and informing them with "reasonable notice" of the impending hearing.
During the hearing, which may or may not be public, each party may:
- Submit evidence
- Call witnesses for testimony
- Conduct cross-examination
- Be represented by an attorney
Critically, local agencies shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence and can receive all relevant evidence of "reasonably probative value." Agency members may ask questions of both parties during proceedings and allow them to make closing statements. Afterward, the agency members deliberate on the evidence presented to determine whether the electrician has violated any regulations or professional standards. The licensee then receives the final decision, including findings and the reasons for the adjudication in writing, either personally delivered or through the mail.
Sanctions for Electricians
Each local trade board or licensing authority may take into account a myriad of factors when determining appropriate discipline. Officials may consider previous complaints made, the risk or re-offense, or if the licensee attempted to remedy the violation before adjudication.
Local Agency Law grants the authority to suspend or revoke an electrician's license, but municipalities can have other means of discipline. For instance, Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections can use the following enforcement orders:
- Warning Notice: No further investigation, but a mandatory correction of the violation, such as a minor city code infraction
- Violation Notice and Order to Correct: The case remains open until the licensee corrects the violation or pays the applicable fines
- Licensing Violation Notice: Statement of outstanding fees or fines paid to the department, or the case goes to municipal court
- Notice of Stop Work Order: Describes dangerous or unsafe conditions or practices, and all activity must stop until the department lifts the order
- Notice of Intent to Cease Operations and Order: The violation threatens the safety of the surrounding community, and corrections are made with a department inspection needed to lift the order
- Notice of Cease Operations Order: After substantiation of unlicensed, unsafe, or life-threatening work, electricians are barred from conducting business until the department permits continuance
If electricians have their credentials suspended or revoked, it means they also cannot work in any municipality or state with reciprocity. Although some may think they can travel to a neighboring city or county and become licensed, think again.
Despite the Commonwealth not having a statewide electrician license, anyone can check the status of an electrician's credentials through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). PALS also contains information for all licensed professions in the Commonwealth for all to see.
Since local licensing agencies investigate prior disciplinary action before issuing a license, a suspension will make individuals ineligible until their suspension period has passed. For those with revoked credentials, it is highly unlikely a municipality will allow them to do electrical work.
Judicial Review and Appeals
Whenever Pennsylvania electricians receive sanctions from local agencies, they have the opportunity to appeal. The Local Agency Law permits anyone "aggrieved by an adjudication of a local agency" to seek judicial review.
Only when agency proceedings lack a complete record can the court remand the case or conduct a de novo "from the beginning" hearing. The Court of Common Pleas reviews the case based on the record made during the original hearing. Appeals must indicate the following with "substantial evidence" for approval:
- The decision violates constitutional rights.
- The decision is not in accordance with the law.
- The agency violated procedural provisions.
- Essential factual findings are not supported.
If the court does not affirm the agency's adjudication, it may issue an appropriate order. Although licensed electricians may seek further appeals with the Superior Court, it can be easier to seek professional assistance earlier in the process to mitigate escalation and get you back to work.
Defend Your Electrician License in Pennsylvania with the LLF Law Firm
For electricians in Pennsylvania, a license is more than just the credentials needed to work. It embodies your commitment to professionalism, public trust, and top-tier consumer standards. When local agencies levy disciplinary action, it serves as a reminder that places like Scranton, Harrisburg, Easton, Carbondale, and thousands of other Pennsylvania municipalities have strict regulations to protect the public. However, violations can lead to the loss of a rewarding career, and even mere allegations can disrupt the business you've built to provide for your community and family. Whenever allegations arise, take the situation with the seriousness it deserves and contact the LLF Law Firm to begin your defense.
The LLF Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is ready to begin strategizing to protect your ability to do electrical work in the Commonwealth. Whether alleged violations stem from consumer complaints, safety concerns, or breaches of the National Electrical Code, the consequences can be severe. No matter how minor you may think a violation is, it demands attention from a team of professionals well-versed in how local agencies adjudicate breaches of their ordinances and laws.
Our team ensures you respond to all opportunities to defend yourself promptly, taking advantage of all avenues for remedy and redress. We will take your case before municipal licensing boards, the Court of Common Pleas, and even the Superior Court, if necessary. The goal is to get you back to work as quickly as possible and make sure your license history remains spotless. Call the LLF Law Firm Professional License Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential consultation form, and we will contact you.
