HB357 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Electrical Contractors, Alabama Board of, board membership revised, board authorized to subpoena witnesses and investigate complaints, expiration of licenses, local business licenses texting deleted, Secs. 34-36-3, 34-36-4, 34-36-6, 34-36-7, 34-36-8, 34-36-9, 34-36-13, 34-36-16 am'd.

Summary

HB357 overhauls Alabama's Board of Electrical Contractors by redefining roles, adding provisional licensing, expanding board powers, and changing license renewal, restoration, and local licensing rules.

What This Bill Does

It defines 'electrical worker' and 'provisional license' and removes references to 'master electrician.' It expands the board's duties to include subpoena power, complaint investigations, and reciprocity with other states. It allows provisional license holders three years to pass the licensure exam and waives the exam fee for one sitting, and it shortens the restoration window for expired licenses from five years to two. It also limits local governments from requiring extra local licensing exams and requires continuing education for licensees.

Who It Affects

• Electrical contractors and journeyman electricians, through changes to licensure, exams, reciprocity, and continuing education requirements.
• Electrical workers who are employed by licensed contractors or staffing firms and who must work under licensed supervision under the new definitions.
• County and municipal governments, which would lose the authority to impose an additional local electrical contracting proficiency examination before issuing local licenses.
• Provisional license holders and license applicants, who gain a three-year window to complete the licensure exam and a one-time exam fee waiver.

Key Provisions

• Defines terms: board, director, electrical contracting, electrical contractor, electrical worker, journeyman electrician, license, provisional license, and removes references to master electrician.
• Board governance and powers: election of officers; authority to subpoena witnesses, investigate complaints, and grant reciprocity with states meeting or exceeding Alabama's standards.
• Provisional license: holder has three years to pass the licensure exam; the board must waive the exam fee once during that period; provisional license may expire if not passed within three years.
• License restoration: expired electrical contractor licenses may be restored within two years (instead of five) after expiration, with required fees and any continuing education as applicable.
• Local licensing exemptions: counties and municipalities may not require an additional electrical contracting proficiency exam to issue a local license.
• Examinations and reciprocity: the board may administer exams, recognize out-of-state licenses, and adopt the National Electrical Code for examinations.
• Continuing education: all licensees must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years, with rules for approving courses and tracking hours.
• Enforcement and penalties: the board can suspend, revoke, or revoke and renew licenses; impose civil penalties up to $5,000; issue cease and desist orders; and seek circuit court enforcement.
• Constitutional note and effective date: the bill is framed as not requiring local expenditure approval due to exceptions; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Electrical Contractors, Board of