December 19, 2002
The Real FLAC FAQS
The Real FLAC FAQS
I AM A C-10 CONTRACTOR WHO IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE, BUT I WORK WITH THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE. MUST I BE CERTIFIED?
The Legislature does not require you to be certified if you have a C-10 contractors' license and are the qualifying individual for your company. However, if you hold a C-10 license and are an employee of another company, you will still be required to be certified. If you hold a C-10 license and own your business, but have subcontracted out to another company for electrical work and the permit is pulled under that other company's name, you will may need to be certified to do work for them.
WILL I BE ALLOWED TO WORK FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR IN CALIFORNIA WITHOUT PASSING THE CERTIFICATION EXAM?
No. With the passage of AB1087, certification is mandatory for employees of C-10 contractors on January 1, 2005. The only exception is to register with the DAS as a trainee and show completion of, or enroll in, a qualified training program. You will still be allowed to work for a company who is not a C-10.
WHO WILL ESTABLISH THE CONTENT AND STANDARDS OF THE EXAMINATION?
Experior Assessments was chosen by the DAS to create and validate the certification exam. They have also been chosen to administer the exam to qualified applicants.
WHEN WILL APPLICATIONS BE ACCEPTED?
Applications have been accepted by the DAS as early as late November 2002 and are currently available on their website: http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/ElectricalCertificationForm.pdf
WHAT PROOF OF EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED?
The application has a section to list the total number of hours in various work categories. According to reliable sources with the DAS, the number of hours that are claimed by each applicant is based on the "Honor System." Proof of hours will not be required on the application; however, your experience claims may be audited.
WHEN WILL TESTING BEGIN?
Testing began on December 17, 2002 on a very limited basis in order to comply with the legislation requiring at least one test be administered by the end of the year in both Southern and Northern California. Regular testing will begin in March of 2003.
WHAT IS ON THE EXAM?
The exam is based primarily on the 1999 NEC, about 90% of the answers are right out of the codebook. The exam is "open code book", with the 1999 NEC book provided by the exam administrator. We suggest that you bring a calculator (non-programmable type). Other questions are on theory and test instruments. If you are an electrical inspector or code class instructor, or otherwise very familiar with the NEC then you've nothing to fret about!
HOW WILL ENFORCEMENT WORK
Enforcement is up in the air. The DAS is, like most state agencies these days, suffering major funding cutbacks. The IBEW, we are sure, is chomping at the bit to offer the services of "third party agencies" such as the "Center for Contract Compliance" or perhaps other schemes designed to inflict as much pain on the Non-union side as possible. The DAS has said that they are not required to, therefore will not make any attempt to, notify the estimated 80,000 individuals who need to certify or register.
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