SECTION 158:40-7-5. Electrical journeyman and contractor licenses by reciprocity

(a)   General procedures for application. Any person holding a valid electrical journeyman license or electrical contractor license issued by another state who is seeking to obtain a license by reciprocity shall first submit an application to the Construction Industries Board on a form provided by the Board and confirm that a written reciprocity agreement exists between the applicant's state and Oklahoma for the license the applicant is seeking. The application shall include all documentation necessary to show the applicant meets the requirements established by this Chapter. All applications shall first be directed to the Committee or its designee for an initial review to determine if the applicant meets the qualifications for a license by reciprocity as set forth in this Chapter and in 59 O.S. § 1000.5a or any subsequent enactment of the Legislature. Following this review, the Committee or its designee shall make a recommendation to the Board or its designee as to whether the application should be approved or disapproved. The Board or its designee shall make the final determination as to whether an application shall be approved or disapproved. If an application is disapproved by the Board or its designee, the application shall be returned to the applicant with the reason for the disapproval.

(b)   Application fees. Before an application will be considered, a person applying for an electrical journeyman license by reciprocity must pay the journeyman application fee and the initial journeyman license fee as set forth in OAC 158:40-9-3(b). If the person is applying for an electrical contractor license, the person must pay the contractors application fee and the initial contractor license fee as set forth in OAC 158:40-9-3(b). These fees shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

(c)   Requirements for issuance of a license by reciprocity. An application for a license by reciprocity may be approved upon a satisfactory showing by the applicant of the following:

(1)   That the requirements for licensure from the state in which the applicant is licensed is determined to be substantially the same or equivalent to the requirements for obtaining a license by examination in this State. In making this determination the following shall be considered:

(A)   Whether the experience required by the other state to be eligible to sit for the license examination is substantially the same or equivalent to the Board's requirements;

(B)   Whether the experience in commercial/industrial work required by the other state is substantially the same or equivalent to the Board's requirements;

(C)   Whether the continuing education requirements of the other state are substantially the same or equivalent to the Board's requirements;

(D)   Whether the codes adopted by the other state are substantially the same or equivalent to the Board's requirements;

(E)   Whether the examination of the other state is substantially the same or equivalent to the Board's requirements. This shall include the score required to pass the examination, the subject matter of the examination, the codes on which the examination is based, and whether the examination is in written form; and

(F)   Whether the above-listed factors are set forth and determined to be substantially the same or equivalent in a written reciprocity agreement.

(2)   That the other state will recognize a license issued by the State of Oklahoma through the Construction Industries Board. Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection may only be satisfied by the existence of a reciprocity agreement between the Board and the state issuing the applicant's current license as provided in (d) of this Section.

(3)   That the applicant is currently licensed by a state that meets the requirements of (c)(1) of this Section and that one year immediately prior to the application, the applicant lawfully practiced an applicable trade within and under the laws of that state.

(4)   That no disciplinary matters are pending against the applicant in any jurisdiction in which the applicant is currently licensed. This requirement will be considered satisfied upon presentation of a certified statement from the licensing authorities of all jurisdictions in which the applicant is currently licensed that no disciplinary matters are pending against applicant.

(5)   That the applicant obtained the license to be reciprocated by examination.

(d)   Reciprocity agreements. The Board may enter into a reciprocity agreement with another state if the requirements for licensure in the other state are deemed by the Board to be substantially the same or equivalent to the requirements for obtaining an original license by examination in this State.

(e)   Additional requirements for contractor applicants. Applicants seeking an electrical contractor license by reciprocity, who meet the necessary qualifications for a license as required in this Section and for which there is a written reciprocity agreement for contractors, will be granted a journeyman license by reciprocity. The applicant will be issued a contractor license upon successfully passing the Oklahoma Electrical Contractor Business and Law portion of the full contractor examination and satisfaction of the insurance and bonding requirements of OAC 158:40-5-5.

[Source: Added at 21 Ok Reg 494, eff 11-14-03 (emergency); Added at 21 Ok Reg 765, eff 4-26-04; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 1539, eff 7-11-13; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 907, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1625, eff 9-11-15]