Why Reciprocity?

by Michelle Dreier
Member Engagement/Gov't Affairs Manager

At the October 8, 2019, Board of Electricity, the Board recommended reciprocity of Journeyworker electricians with Wisconsin and Texas. Texas was the first to be approved, with Wisconsin following.

During the interim, industry leaders worked hard to reverse this decision, citing concerns over weakening the standards in MN and placing the safety of public at risk. There was lots of misinformation, such as grandfathered electricians receiving reciprocity—only test-passing journeyworkers were being considered for reciprocity.
Leaders stated that there were differences in training, apprenticeship, safety, enforcement, licensing qualification, standards, oversight, supervision, and Code implementation in WI and TX. The leaders said based on these deficiencies, allowing electrical workers to reciprocate a license that is not comparable puts the residents of MN at a public safety risk by exposing the public to an electrical installation possibly completed by a less-than-qualified individual.

Both WI and TX attended the October and January 14, 2020, board meetings to respond to questions and concerns. They did a good job of discussing the rigors of their respective programs. There was some concern that TX allowed notes to be brought into the exam room. Both WI and TX use a method of randomizing test questions, so individuals retaking the test may never see the same question. In the end, the recommendation for reciprocity was rescinded based on the prevailing opinion that MN electricians see no need to perform work in other states. We will see if there is a movement to repeal existing reciprocity agreements.

For our members that perform work over state lines.  Requests for reciprocity are interesting as the State allowing for it can add all sorts of provisions. Both WI and TX require 144 hrs related technical instruction (RTI) annually in addition to the 8000 hours on-the-job training over 4 years in order to sit for their tests. A requirement of RTI can be a requirement of reciprocity. Aren’t you glad the Electrical Association provides this RTI? Many states are moving toward required RTI, and may also make it a condition of reciprocity.

A state can also require a certain score on your MN test in order to allow for reciprocity. Even though MN journeyworkers pass at 70%, if another state has a pass requirement of 80%, they may require you get an 80% on the MN test in order to receive reciprocity.

Without reciprocity, journeyworkers can always attempt another state’s test to work in that state. Managing continuing ed can be tricky, as states independently select what continuing ed is approved for their program.

Traditionally we have submitted our CE curriculum to 8 states for approval: MN,ND,SD,NE,WY,MT,IA. Currently, our 2020 NEC® Code is not approved in Wisconsin.