Provincial Licensing of Electrical Contractors & Master Electricians January 25, 2006
Overview Transition Plan Overview Licensing Regulation Licensing General Overview Master Electrician Licence Electrical Contractor Licence Provisional Electrical Contractor Information Associated Fees Licensing Information Centre
Transition Plan Overview Activity Target Date Establish Transition Team Established Jan 30/05 Consultations Discussion Paper Completed Apr 30/05 Regulation Development Approval Nov 02/05 Jun 30/05 ESA Implementation plan Underway Jun 30/06 ECRA transition Underway Jun 30/06 Municipal Transition Underway Jun 30/06 Master Course and Exam Underway Oct 30/05 Communications Plan Developed (ongoing implement n) Feb 20/05 Consumer Protection Plan Initial Stage Apr 30/06 Underground Economy Plan Included in Reg. Jun 30/06 Enforcement Plan Underway Jun 30/06 Provisional Licensing Requirements Finalized In Reg. Jun 30/05 Amendment to Municipal Act S.160 (1) (a) -Underway Jun 30/06 Transition Period to Province Wide Licensing Oct 05-Jan 1/07
Licensing Regulation 570/05 made under the Electricity Act, 1998 Regulation includes: Requirements for contractors and master electricians to be licensed Definitions of Electrical Contractors, Master Electricians, etc Sets the standards required for obtaining & renewing a licence Establishes the provisional licence or grandfathering process Establishes a method for prorating fees for existing municipal licence holders Establishes timeframes & effective dates July 1 2006 - ESA will begin accepting applications for Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor licences January 1 2007 - ESA will commence full enforcement of the licensing requirements.
Licensing Overview Effective January 1, 2007 Every electrical contracting business engaged in performing electrical work covered under the electrical safety code, is required to hold a valid provincial ECRA/ESA Licence. ESA will issue 3 licences Master Electrician (ME) Licence Electrical Contractor (EC) Licence Provisional Electrical Contractor (EC-P) Licence (Transitional period Jul 1/06 to Nov 30/06)
ME Licence What is a Master Electrician (ME) Licence? This is a licence issued to an individual who has demonstrated approximately 3 years experience in the electrical trade as a; Journeyperson electrician; or P. Eng; or CET; This licence gives the authority for an individual to be designated with the responsibility; For the personal planning and direct supervision of electrical work carried out on behalf of an electrical contractor, and For ensuring that the electrical work is carried out in accordance with applicable laws (i.e. Electrical Safety code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc.)
ME Licence Who should apply for a ME Licence? Anyone who is or will be operating an electrical contracting business (i.e. Sole Proprietor), Anyone who is or will be employed as a Designated Master Electrician for an electrical contractor, Anyone who wishes to attain a higher level of electrical and business expertise
ME Licence What is the difference between a C of Q and a ME Licence? C of Q ME Licence issued under the TQAA Certificate to perform electrical work Issued by MTCU Authorizes an individual to assume responsibilities for the oversight of the daily activities of an EC business Currently issued by Municipalities As of July 1, 2006 to be issued by ECRA/ESA
ME Licence A Designated Master Electrician Is an individual who holds a ME Licence and either owns or is employed by an electrical contracting business Is required to be actively employed by the designating electrical contractor, Cannot be the designated ME for more than one electrical contractor at a time, Cannot carry out electrical work unless they hold a valid C of Q for the scope of work being performed.
ME Licence What are the requirements for a ME Licence? Approx. 3 years experience; As a C&M, D&R, or Industrial electrician carrying out work under a valid C of Q, or Working for an electrical contractor as a licensed P. Eng. registered with the PEO, or Working for an electrical contractor as a CET registered with the OACETT Have passed the ECRA/ESA master electrician qualifying examination within 12 months prior to the licence application date
ME Licence How do I get a ME Licence? Prior to July 1, 2006, the qualifying examination and licence application must be made through the local municipality. Those interested in becoming a Master Electrician after July 1, 2006 may write the ECRA/ESA qualifying Master Electrician exam now and then apply to ESA for a ME Licence beginning July 1, 2006. ESA offers a voluntary preparatory Pre-Master training course is not a requirement in order to write the exam Exam and preparatory course dates and application forms are available at www.esaecra.info
ME Licence What if I have a valid ME Licence? Applicants who hold a Municipal or an ECRA recognized ME licence will not be required to re-write the qualifying ECRA/ESA Master Exam in order to apply for an ECRA/ESA ME Licence if on June 30, 2006; i. The person has passed, at least once, the Municipal or ECRA Master Exam, AND ii. The person holds a valid Municipal or ECRA recognized licence, OR Where a Municipality has ceased issuing licences between Jan 1/05 and Jun 30/06, the person held a valid ME licence the day before the municipality ceased issuing such licences. To qualify under this clause application must be made to ESA between Jul 1/06 and Nov 30/06.
ME Licence ECRA/ESA ME Licence Application Process Beginning Jul 1/06, submit to ESA an ECRA/ESA ME Licence application form with the following; Copy of your valid C of Q, P.Eng. or CET Certificate Copy of your Municipal ME licence, if applicable Copy of documented exam passing grade, if applicable List of qualifying trade experience Employer info if named the Designated ME Passport size photo Licence Fee (Cheque, money order or credit card) Application forms will be available by June 2006
EC Licence What is an Electrical Contractor (EC) Licence? This is a licence issued to an electrical contracting business authorizing them to engage in the business of carrying out electrical work anywhere in Ontario. Electrical work means work within the scope of the Electrical Safety Code that consists of constructing, installing, protecting, maintaining, repairing, extending, altering, connecting or disconnecting any electrical installation or electrical equipment.
EC Licence What are the Requirements for an EC Licence? Be a ME or employ at all times at least one designated ME. Have a place of business in Ontario $2,000,000 Liability Insurance Registered with WSIB, if required In compliance with the Ministry of Finance
EC Licence How do I get a EC Licence? Prior to July 1, 2006, application must be made through the local municipality where the work is being performed. Beginning July 1, 2006, application must be made to ECRA/ESA, regardless of whether or not you have a valid municipal licence. Application must be made prior to November 30, 2006 to ensure you have the required ECRA/ESA provincial licence by January 1, 2007 Licence fees will be prorated for those who have a valid Municipal EC licence.
EC Licence What if I have a valid Municipal EC Licence? Applicants who hold a valid Municipal or ECRA recognized EC and ME licence will not be required to re-write the qualifying ME exam if on June 30, 2006; i. You have, at least once, the ECRA or Municipal ME Exam, AND ii. You hold a valid Municipal or ECRA recognized ME licence. To qualify under this clause application must be made to ESA between Jul 1/06 and Nov 30/06.
EC Licence ECRA/ESA EC Licence Application Process Beginning Jul 1/06, submit to ESA an ECRA/ESA EC Licence application form with the following; Owner, Officer, Director information Designated ME information Copy of any Municipal Licences, if applicable Certificate of Liability Insurance WSIB Employer Account Number, if applicable Licence Fee (Cheque, money order or credit card) Application forms will be available by June 2006
EC-P Licence What is a Provisional Electrical Contractor (EC-P) Licence? grandfathering provision This licence may be issued to an electrical contracting business that has been operating for approx. 5 years; a) With a valid EC Licence in a municipality that did not require you to have a master electrician, or b) With a valid EC licence in a municipality that did not require you to pass a master electrician exam, or c) In a municipality that did not require you, by law, to have a licence to operate a business. This licence will provide up to a maximum of 4 years for the electrical contracting business to comply with the ME requirement for the ECRA/ESA Electrical Contractor (EC) Licence. To qualify under this clause application must be made to ESA between Jul 1/06 and Nov 30/06.
EC-P Licence What are the requirements for an EC-P Licence? Have a place of business in Ontario 5 years experience operating an electrical contracting business, i. In a part of Ontario where a licence to operate that business was not required, OR With a valid EC Licence in a Municipality that did not require ii. you to have a ME in order to obtain that licence, AND Carrying out work the falls within the scope of the Electrical Safety Code Demonstrate 5 years compliance with Rule 2-004 of the Electrical Safety Code $2,000,000 Liability Insurance Registered with WSIB, if required In compliance with the Ministry of Finance
EC-P Licence ECRA/ESA Provisional EC Licence Application Process Beginning July 1/06, submit to ESA an ECRA/ESA Provisional EC Licence application with the following; Owner, Officer, Director information Copy of any Municipal Licences, if applicable Certificate of Liability Insurance WSIB Employer Account Number, if applicable Licence Fee (Cheque, money order or credit card) Application forms will be available by June 2006
Fees Master Electrician Licence $75.00* Renewed annually on ME s Birth date Electrical Contractor Licence $365.00* Renewed annually on ME s Birth date or Business start date Provisional EC Licence $365.00* Renewed annually on Business start date for a maximum of 4 years up to Nov 30/10 Master Electrician Exam $125.00* Pre-Master Training Course $517.00* Voluntary preparatory course * Plus GST
Licensing Information Centre We have established an e-mail address and phone number for anyone with questions relating to Provincial Licensing: E-Mail: ESA.Licensing@electricalsafety.on.ca Phone Message Ctr: (905) 712-5385 Fax: (905) 507-4572 Website: www.esaecra.info