Information Meeting on New Electrical Licensing and Inspection Requirements to be Held 

For Immediate Release: November 19, 2008
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

MADISON - Major upcoming changes in electrical licensing and inspection requirements in Wisconsin will be discussed at the following informational meetings:

Berlin, Green Lake County
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Alliant Energy
880 N. Wisconsin St., Berlin

Richland Center, Richland County
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m
Richland Coop Center
30 E. Robb Rd., Richland Center

Ashland, Ashland County
Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
City Council Chamber
601 Main St. W., Ashland

Rhinelander, Oneida County
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
City Council Chamber
135 S. Stevens St., Rhinelander

Rice Lake, Barron County
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
City Hall Meeting Room
30 E. Eau Claire St., Rice Lake

"I encourage members of the electrical industry to attend one of these meetings and learn about Wisconsin's new statewide licensing system," said Department of Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel. "These meetings will help educate and inform electricians and inspectors of the new requirements for installing electrical wiring and providing for electrical inspections of all buildings."

The main topic of the workshop will include details about the new statewide licensing system, which is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2013, according to Wisconsin Act 63.

Wisconsin Act 63, signed by Governor Jim Doyle on Mar. 5, 2008, requires the Department of Commerce to establish a state electrical wiring code, generally requires electricians to be licensed and registered, and provides for electrical construction inspections of all buildings.

Meetings are open to the public. Drafts of possible regulation codes will be available before the December meetings at the S&B Electrical Program website, which is http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-ElectricalAndLightingSystemsProgram.html.

Commercial Electrical Inspectors, Uniform Dwelling Code Electrical Inspectors, Master Electricians, and Journeyman Electricians holding credentials from the Safety and Building Division may receive one hour of electrical continuing education for attending.

For more information, contact one of the Safety and Buildings Division electrical consultants listed at http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-ElectricalConsultantsMap.html.

-30-