Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1)
Continuing Education Requirement.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in 237 CMR 17.01, each licensee of the Board, as a condition for license renewal, shall present evidence satisfactory to the Board that, in the three-year period before license renewal, he or she has completed 21 clock hours of continuing education.
(b) Of the required 21 clock hours, 15 clock hours shall be on topics related to 527 CMR 12.00: Massachusetts Electrical Code (Amendments), business, law, and related topics with a Provider in an area of study approved by the Board. Courses offered for Master Electricians and Journeyman Electricians shall focus on 527 CMR 12.00 and other laws and regulations as they pertain to Electrical Work. Courses for Systems Contractors and Systems Technicians shall focus on the applicable chapters of 527 CMR 12.00, the adopted version of NFPA 72, and other laws and regulations as they pertain to Systems Work. The Board may require specific content to be contained in any approved courses. It shall be the licensee's responsibility to ensure that their Provider has been approved by the Board.
(c) Of the required 21 clock hours, six clock hours shall be in areas chosen by the licensee for professional development in the subjects of Electrical Code, business, law, first aid, safety, Building Code, and related topics. Said instruction need not be offered by a Board approved Provider.
(d) Notwithstanding the previous provisions of 237 CMR 17.01, Inspectors of Wires, appointed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 166, § 32, electrical inspectors/ investigators employed by the Division of Professional Licensure, and licensed members of the Board, shall complete the required 15 hours of mandatory continuing education within the first year of the release of the updated edition of 527 CMR 12.00: Massachusetts Electrical Code (Amendments) as a condition of license renewal.
(e) In addition to the 21 hours for renewal as provided, each Inspector of Wires appointed pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 166, § 32 shall complete in each license cycle six hours of continuing education in courses approved by the Board (for a total of 27 clock hours). The Board may designate one or more associations of Inspectors of Wires or other Providers to offer these courses.
(2)
Extensions and Exemptions from Continuing Education Requirement. The Board may, at its discretion, consider a written request for an extension or exemption from the deadlines for the continuing education requirement under the following circumstances:
(a)
Illness or Disability. A request for an extension based on illness, disability, or other medically-related condition, shall be in writing, under oath, and accompanied by a letter addressed to the Board, written and signed by a licensed medical doctor, stating the nature of the licensee's medical condition and the correlation between that condition and the licensee's inability to work in any trade capacity, as well as to complete the required continuing education within the required period.
(b)
Exemption of 15/Six Hour Programs. Instructors who teach two 15 clock-hour seminars/courses and/or two six-hour professional development courses per cycle shall be deemed to have met the continuing education requirements.
(c)
Issuance of License 90 Days Preceding Renewal Date. Any holder of a Journeyman Electrician or Systems Technician license issued by the Board following examination or by reciprocity during the 90 days preceding the license renewal date shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement for the license renewal cycle in effect at the time of licensure.
(3)
Failure to Complete Continuing Education Requirement. Any licensee who does not complete the required hours of continuing education shall not be eligible for license renewal. A licensee who misrepresents completion of continuing education in a license renewal shall be subject to disciplinary action which could include fines and/or license suspension or revocation.
(4)
Reinstatement of Lapsed Licenses. A licensee who allows their license to lapse beyond 90 days, who did not complete their continuing education prior to their license expiration, shall not be eligible to reinstate their license until they complete the latest Board approved version of the 15 hour continuing education course and a six hour professional development course. In addition to the above requirements, if a license has been expired for more than three years (one license cycle), even if originally obtained by reciprocity, the former licensee shall be required to pass the Massachusetts examination for the license they previously held in order to reinstate their license.
(5)
Certificate/Documentation.
(a) Upon successful completion of the 15 clock hours of continuing education, each licensee shall receive from their CEP a certificate of completion. Each licensee shall retain such documentation for ten years, and shall furnish it to the Board for verification of completion of the required continuing education if so requested. This requirement shall not be deemed to waive the requirement that CEP's also maintain records as required in 237 CMR 17.00.
(b) Upon successful completion of the six clock hours of professional development, each licensee shall receive from the sponsor a certificate of completion as covered in 237 CMR 17.02(3)(b). Each licensee shall retain such documentation for ten years and shall furnish it to the Board for verification of completion of the professional development if so requested.
(c) Appointed Inspectors of Wires pursuant to M.G.L. c. 166, § 32 shall provide to the Board successful completion and documentation of the required 27 clock hours of mandatory continuing education and certification programs as required by the Board pursuant to these regulations indicating qualification for initial or continuing appointment as an Inspector of Wires.
