NABCEP Entry Level Exam *Not NABCEP Certified PV Installers.

[russ]

I remember taking the General Contractors license exam in North Carolina years back.

You almost had to take a prep course (I went to Central Piedmont like Bryan) as there were many answers that were not really logical and others where there were multiple possible correct responses but only one correct one.

I remember the instructor saying, 'No questions - just remember this as it will be accepted!'

Russ

[Sunking]

I remember taking the General Contractors license exam in North Carolina years back.

That is the problem with NABCEP certifications, they are not licenses, nor require any prerequisites. Once certified you are not permitted to do any work without working under someone with an Electrical License.

[russ]

Then they are essentially just a piece of paper to try to impress a potential employer with?

Russ

[Sunking]

Then they are essentially just a piece of paper to try to impress a potential employer with?

I do not think it will even do that unless you already have at least a Residential Electrical License. Might be wrong but I do not see any value in it.

You have worked contract labor in the states and should know the drill on the construction side. Requirements vary by state but the overall scheme is to obtain an electrical contractor license is a 3 step process. First step is to enter and apprentice program. Most Electrical Contractors are looking for a young buck with a 2 year degree from a trade school with an ASEE degree to enter them into an apprenticeship program. Once you enter the program you are required to log some 4000 billable hours (4 to 6 years) working directly under either a Residential or Master Electrician as a helper (Grunt). At that point you are qualified to take the exam to receive your residential license.

Even once you receive your Residential license, you still cannot pull a permit as that takes depending on the state either a Master or Electrical Contractor license which I think you are familar with. To get to that level usually takes 8000 to 10,000 billable hours to qualify for the exam, plus proof of Bonding and Insurance.

IMO the NABCEP certification is not for entry level, it is for someone who already holds at least a Residential electrical license. Now you have something an Electrical Contractor License like Joe's Electrical Contracting Company might put you on the payroll if he/she is in that sector