Electrical Contractor Continuing Education

Continuing Education activities must:  

• Be relevant to electrical contracting, either to the current activities or to planned future activities. 
• Aim to benefit the public in better service, quality of work and application of technologies.  
• Aim to improve the quality and safety of work.  
• Aim to refresh or advance knowledge of Codes and Standards governing electrical installations. 
• Be supported by documentation or a report to provide evidence of completion or achievement. 

Providers should strive to offer courses covering one or more of the following categories so that licensees can obtain the required 8 hours of continuing education for the two-year renewal period.  

The categories are:  

• Codes and standards
• Business law, insurance, and finance
• Safety and OSHA compliance
• Materials and installation methods
• Theoretical content related to scientific knowledge for the practice of electrical contracting

The law prohibits credits be given for courses or programs conducted by manufactures specifically to promote their products.

To be eligible to renew, each licensed electrical contractors must complete 4 hours of approved continuing education per year

The Board’s rules require each licensee to keep written documentation of his/her continuing education activities for a minimum of five years. The Board requires that this documentation contain sufficient evidence to support licensee’s reported continuing education.  The Board may request a licensee produce this documentation at any time.  

The Board may conduct a random audit for continuing education compliance by requesting documentation of continuing education from a percentage of renewal applicants. The Board also has the authority to request any licensee to submit documentation of completed continuing education at any time.  

IMPORTANT: The licensee is responsible for keeping track of his or her own Continuing Education hours. It is not the responsibility of the Board’s staff. During the license-renewal process, for auditing purposes, the licensee may be asked to provide proof of Continuing Education attendance by way of a class‐issued certificates. Credit will not be given for classes without a certificate, possibly delaying or rendering the applicant ineligible to renew. 

To renew your license, every two years you must submit a completed renewal application. Failure to comply with the Board’s request or to complete the required courses, will render a renewal applicant ineligible to renew. The Board may request a licensee to provide records of continuing education compliance outside of a renewal period audit. 

Continuing education courses must be completed prior to applying for license renewal.   

Licensees must retain a copy of the certificate of completion for a course for five years after the date of completion.

As stated in Georgia law, approved continuing education providers include: 

• Public utilities;
• Institutions under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Board of Technical and Adult Education; and
• Electrical equipment manufacturer (except courses conducted by manufacturers specifically to promote their products are not approved).

Approved courses that qualify for credit toward renewal should have a course syllabus or outline and shall clearly identify the material to be covered and the overall objectives to be obtained. 

Course content should be relevant to the educational needs of an electrical contractor. The content should be current and designed to include recent developments in the subject area being taught. 

Course offerings should be at least one hour in length. To receive credit, the licensee must meet all course requirements.

Course objectives describe measurable outcomes the licensee will demonstrate or achieve upon completion.  Providers should clearly state the overall course objectives or have a clear, concise course description in brochures and other advertisement so participants will know in advance what they can expect to learn.

A Certificate of Attainment or Completion (Certificate) is the official acknowledgement provided by the Continuing Education Provider certifying the licensee has satisfactorily completed the identified course in all aspects.  This certificate shall be made available to the Board for audit purposes. 

The certificate shall include: 

• Identify the Approved Continuing Education Provider conducting the course
• Course Title
• Location and date of the course
• Number of credit hours obtained  
• Statement of Certification of Attendance satisfactory completed