The continuing education is critical for the trades and should continue to be required for trades licensing in Virginia. The codes are always updating and changing and so should the training of our trades as well.

This requirement has been in place in Virginia for a long time which makes us one of best and safest states to live in and we need to keep the current requirements.

because codes and equipment are continuously changing and updating, continuing education is a MUST and always should be. The safety of all Virginians should be at the forefront of our mind. removing the requirement puts many people at risk. 

Please do NOT eliminate continuing education. Removing this requirement will endanger the lives of our workers completing these construction projects, as well as, those who occupy these buildings once they are complete. The construction industry evolves rapidly. There are always new codes, tools, and installation methods. Flooding the industry with uneducated "licensed" trades people will result in injuries and the loss of Virginian's lives. Please do NOT amend our current renewal requirements!!! 

As best practices continue to be discovered, and as technology continues to advance the methods in which we build our society, and as these changes continue to change our building codes, it would seem logical, as an industry, to continue continuing education for maintaining  and continuing to be a licensed tradesman or tradeswoman in Virginia. 

A.C.C. N.E.C.A. is normally in favor of removing regulations that impede progress. However, the removal of the continuing education requirement would achieve the opposite of this and would be a step in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, the monetary cost is an imperative cost to ensure tradesmen are staying abreast on the latest codes, standards, and safety practices resulting in keeping themselves and the public safe. In our industry the National Electric Code (NEC) changes every three years. Therefore, it is imprudent to remove any continuing education requirement. Removing the requirement would imply that it is not important to stay abreast of any changes to any NEC changes for a tradesman. Imagine if this requirement was removed after the inception of the first NEC publication in 1897. Think of how much the industry has changed since that time and how much progress has been made in codes and standards to safely install electrical wiring and equipment. The three-hour continuing education requirement is the bare minimum we should require of someone in a trade to ensure the individual is performing their craft, in safe and responsible manner with the most relevant information at their disposal. 

It is critical that continuing education for the trades stay a requirement.  Construction Codes are always changing due to higher safety standards, new technology, and technological improvements  In my experience, unless you require someone to take continuing education, most will not.  It is imperative for the safety of the public and for the tradesperson to stay up to date with their changing industry.

Continued education is vital for the integrity and safety of our industry. The industry is rapidly changing and evolving and removing the continued education requirements degrades the quality of work installed and puts the safety of the tradesman in jeopardy. 

I am not in favor of the proposed change. Normally, I am in favor of deregulation but, in this instance, deregulation would not improve the industry.

The Board should ask itself, does this change improve the industry? How does removing the continuing education requirement, improve quality, or code compliant, safe installations for the consumer?  It certainly will not aid the advancement of the tradesperson in his/her career. As I understand it, DPOR's mission is to ensure a competent workforce and protect the public by verifying minimum competency. The building codes are minimum requirements and they change frequently. Continuing education is the only means & method the Department has for competency verification. 

Keeping continuing education will help keep everyone involved in getting more and up to date training ,which will only benefit the workforce, and the end product.

So, do people really think that we one day master our trade and don't need any more education or training? Then those individuals are living in a false hood. All our trade's need continuous education. It would be a discredit to are contractors if we said oh here you go that's all there ever going to know, good luck. Continues education makes us a stronger workforce. A safer workforce. The reason why people should want to build in RVA. I am definitely not in favor for this proposed change.

To whom it may concern,

Please do not resend 18 VAC 50-30 as this is an important part of the tradesmen industry. This is how clients can be sure the people they hire to do a job have at least done the minimum to have and keep a Journeyman's licence in the state of VA. Also allows employers to make sure the person they are hiring cares enough to keep up their licence. Other state requirements are quite a bit more rigorous. I have to wonder if your body even did any research on this issue with other states. There may someone not working in the trade regular basis that wants to keep their card, they are not engaged in the work everyday so they are not keeping up with the new technics and products, at least if they want to stay in good standing they would have to take 3 hours of continuing education for their specific discipline. 

Thank You

Tim Morris

Master Electrician 

I think it would be a huge mistake to remove the continuing education requirements in order to renew your license which is now every three years. As our industry changes so rapidly as well as the equipment and automation we install it is important that we educate ourselves on the new products and safety regulations which are being incorporated into The National Electric Code. As electricians in our state if we are excused from taking these educational credits it is assured that the industry will surpass all those who never learn and understand all that is being done and changing in our field. Safety will be at risk, installations will falter and in the end our customers will be affected. The standards in Virginia have always been regulated and everyone held to a standard to assure that each licensed electrician is updated on new and every changing systems that are available today. Please don't change standards and take away what is very small amount of time and cost to assure Virginia is doing its part to keep our industry safe and educated.   

There have been 4,440 revisions have been made to the NEC over the last 3 editions spanning the last 9 years. Continuing education requirements keep tradesmen aware of critical updates to the code. Below are some of the critical updates electricians would have received through continuing education programs.

In 2017 arc flash labeling was was updated with very specific requirements for the data they were required to display. This has led to a standardized system of working on and around energized components by allowing service personnel the ability to select and utilize the appropriate level of PPE for the task.

In 2020 the requirement of GFCI protection for 250-volt dryers and ranges within 6 feet of a sink was introduced. Also dwelling unit service disconnecting means were require to be installed in a readily accessible outdoor location. This change greatly improves the the ability of first responders to remove any electrical hazards present in the dwelling during an emergency.

In 2023 the NEC will introduce 10 amp branch circuits. All receptacles in kitchens will require GFCI protection regardless of their purpose. Yet potentially the biggest change to the 2023 NEC is found in section 110.17 which states that all service and electrical preventive maintenance work must be performed by qualified persons trained in the servicing and maintenance of electrical equipment. It goes on state that service and maintenance work be performed in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer’s instructions along with any information provided in the equipment listing, applicable industry standards, or as approved by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

The electrical industry is an ever evolving field. The absence of training and continuing education requirements are detrimental to energy conservation, system dependability, and SAFETY.

Please do NOT amend the current renewal requirements for licensed trades.

Please keep continue education! 

Please keep continuing education. 

I think you should keep continuing education.

Please do not eliminate continuing education.  Removing this requirement will endanger the lives of our workers completing these construction projects, as well as those who occupy these buildings once they are complete.  

What an insulting, ignorant, and frightening piece of work this is. I shudder to imagine the innumerable workplace injuries and deaths legitimately *guaranteed* by an amendment as deluded and myopic as this. I understand that you’re the company men in this age old dynamic and you’re a whole lot more preoccupied with the bottom line than I am but you’ve got to have the brain cells and the business sense to know selling unsafe work for cheap doesn’t turn out to be a particularly lucrative venture in the long run once the inhabitants of your projects sue your pants off after having their lives destroyed by a wiring fire. And you work in these buildings? And Youngkin’s comfortable putting you and himself in that position, spending every day in death traps constructed by an 18 year old with no training, a debatable degree of sobriety, and no meaningful oversight? Guess that’s your call, but you’re braver than I. 

Many licensed building and construction trades are currently required to participate in continuing education to renew their licenses. Considering how quickly the construction industry evolves, this is incredibly important. Disincentivizing continuing education will increase the likelihood of workplace injuries on construction sites across Virginia. This is not only harmful for workers and their families but will also slow down needed projects in communities. We must also consider the safety of Virginia workers and residents who will occupy these new buildings that would be constructed by less educated trades people. Please don't do away with incentives for continuing education that benefit all of these people and groups immensely. 

As someone who builds (albeit in the tech space) for a living, this is a horrible amendment. In any profession, continuous education is key. It makes processes safer, quicker, and output a better quality product. It ensures that a workforce is well equipped to do their job, able to adapt to unexpected situations, and engenders innovation. Stripping continuous education from certification requirements has little to nothing to gain, while putting workers health, the health of those who use any public buildings in our state, and the marketability of important infrastructural jobs at severe risk. 

This is a shameful amendment that highlights nothing short of the administration’s immense greed and willingness to cut corners.

Because it really seems like you’re trying to get me killed.

Please, PLEASE keep continued education. I earned my license and my safety. 

Continuing Education should be easier to obtain and should not come from one source.

A three hour code update class every 3 years does little to nothing to improve safety.  There is no testing requirement to verify ability or knowledge.  In my years of teaching the code update class, I have never once had a student express any value in them whatsoever, but rather another hurdle they needed to jump to maintain their license.  This is a relatively new requirement having come about in the last 15-20 years in any case.

If it’s a relatively meaningless pencil whipping for you and deeply important to the vast and resoundingly vocal majority there’s absolute zero reason not to keep it. Have a great day. 

My company was founded in 1961 by my father we have continued to endure regulations which have been imposed upon the drilling industry as well as plumbing and electrical. The result of growing regulations have continued to make doing business more difficult. Replacing the aging employee with new and younger employees is very different when they are faced with more requirements. I very much oppose any additional requirements and strongly support reducing current obligations. 

Gary F.Burner CED:PI

President

Burner Well Drilling, Inc

p o box 98 

Mcgaheysville,va 22840

age 75

My company was founded in 1961 by my father we have continued to endure regulations which have been imposed upon the drilling industry as well as plumbing and electrical. The result of growing regulations have continued to make doing business more difficult. Replacing the aging employees with new and younger employees is very difficult when they are faced with more requirements I very much oppose any additional requirements and I strongly support reducing currrnt obligations 

I represent 1450 electricians in construction and maintenance in central Virginia.  My members all take their trade and the responsibilities it carries with it very seriously.  Their own lives, the lives of their fellow trades workers and the general public are all at risk when electrical work is done haphazardly or not in compliance with the most recent code updates.  The continuing education requirement ensures that trades workers are at least familiar with SOME of the most important code changes.  The NEC changes every three years and at times significantly data on accidents and injuries are compiled and as technology allows for safer electrical installations.  The only way many workers are exposed to the new requirements is a continuing education requirement.  I can see no benefit to cutting the requirement and see downsides to everyone that utilizes electrical systems in the Commonwealth.

As a service electrician I am consistently exposed to dangerous old work from the days before continuing education requirements. Removing the requirement only puts me further at risk for electrical shock, fire, or electrocution. The only thing that repealing the requirement will accomplish is enabling low-road contractors to churn out dangerous work so they can make a quick buck. If anything the requirements should be strengthened. 

The deregulation of continued education in trades and construction is clear, you're trading our lives, safety and livelihoods for a few bucks of cheaper labor. Anyone working in the field with me will know what this will do and it's easy as to show them what your goals are in pursuing this.