Board of Elected Examiners grants electrical license to visiting company; reviews permit rules and inspection procedures

At its July meeting the Board of Elected Examiners voted to grant a license to an applicant identified in the meeting only as Robert, who said he represents a Michigan-based electrical company. The board approved the application after confirming the company’s operational and supervisory structure and reminding the applicant of Marion County and Indianapolis requirements for license holders.

The board emphasized why the licensure matters. Board members said the license holder is responsible for “all work that is being done underneath your license and insurance and bonding,” a point the board repeated during the orientation that followed the approval. Jessica, a staff member, told the board she had sent the passing test results for the applicant and clarified the application process for converting passing exam results into an active license.

During the applicant’s remarks, Robert described his company’s operations: “we're a company, we have 120 electricians in the field, mostly commercial industrial work… We have seven project managers who oversee the projects,” and said field foremen and project managers handle inspection requests and day-to-day quality control. He also said the company is based in Michigan and has performed work in the Indianapolis area.

After questions from board members about who would be accountable if inspectors found recurring problems, the board moved to a vote. A board member formally moved “to grant the licensure,” a second was recorded, and the board announced approval. The transcript records individual approvals called out as “Mike approved. Monsanto approved. Mark approved.” The board noted that, if inspectors detect trends or recurring issues, they will contact the license holder and may request the license holder’s presence for follow-up.

The meeting next covered orientation items for new licensees and permit-holders. Staff walked through the permit application and site-permit procedures, stressing accuracy and attachment of structural-permit information when electrical work ties to another permit. Staff recommended listing the actual square footage worked (for example, put 10,000 square feet if that is the area under work even if the building is larger) and signing submitted forms.

Staff reviewed commonly used documents and requirements: the permit card (to be displayed on site, typically in a front window or job trailer), the completion card (to be filled out and returned after project completion), and a $215 fee if the completion card is not submitted. They also reviewed temporary on-site power procedures (identified in the meeting as page 63 of the licensee packet), which staff said does not require a separate permit; the page and card are used to obtain temporary power and to coordinate with IPL (Indianapolis Power & Light) for service hookup.

The board explained self-certification tags for permanent service (staff said the tags cost $22 each and can be ordered online), and described how to obtain authorization numbers to reconnect permanent service either by calling the listed phone number or using the City of Indianapolis “citizen access” online portal. Staff advised keeping copies of required cards: one for the contractor, one submitted to the Department of Building and Neighborhood Services, and one posted in the meter (and to protect posted copies from weather by placing them in a plastic bag).

Inspectors’ notices were reviewed. Staff said a yellow tag or a notice of violation placed at the site indicates the inspector could not complete an inspection or that code issues were observed. In those cases, the inspector’s name and contact information will appear on the notice and contractors must call that inspector to arrange re-inspection. For stop-work orders, staff reiterated that “No one can work on the project” until the cause of the stop-work order is resolved and the inspector clears the work; if the stop work concerns a different trade (for example HVAC), those other trades can generally continue only if the specific stop-work order does not prohibit them.

A board member reiterated an ethical and regulatory reminder to license holders: “Please do not sell it. . . You're responsible for the work. Anything done under the permit with your name on it and license, it's”—the board member added—that the licensee remains accountable for work performed under that license. After the orientation staff thanked the applicant and the board closed the public portion of the hearing; the applicant left and the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the license application for the applicant identified as Robert; the motion to grant licensure was moved and seconded and announced approved by board members who were recorded in the transcript as Mike, Monsanto and Mark.

Ending: The board spent the rest of the session on orientation and routine permit guidance for new licensees and closed the meeting after taking the licensure vote and reviewing inspection and permit protocols.