Senate Bill 25-165 Preamended

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning electrical work regulated in the state.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

Section 1 of the bill amends a definition and adds new definitions under the electricians' practice act.

Current law requires an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license to provide evidence of having certain minimum years of apprenticeship experience, accredited training, or practical experience. For the purpose of these requirements, section 2 allows an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license to have a minimum of 8,000 hours, as an alternative to 4 years, of certain apprenticeship or practical experience and an applicant for a residential wireman's license to have a minimum of 4,000 hours, as an alternative to 2 years, of certain practical experience.

Current law allows an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license to substitute for required practical experience evidence of academic training or practical experience in the electrical field. Section 2 also allows an applicant to also substitute evidence of training in photovoltaic systems installation. However, section 2 also states that the state electrical board (board) may, but is no longer required to, provide work experience credit for academic training, military training, photovoltaic systems installation training, or substantially similar training.

Current law requires that, for all applicants seeking work experience credit toward licensure, the board give credit for electrical work that is not required to be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed electrician if the applicant can show that the experience or supervision is adequate. Section 3 allows the board to give the credit, but it is not required to do so.

Section 4 requires that, for an apprentice who holds a residential wireman's license, an electrical contractor, an apprenticeship program, or a state apprenticeship agency that employs the apprentice must report qualifying years or hours of work experience only for commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work. Section 4 also allows an individual who possesses an active residential wireman's or master electrician's license to not take the journeyman electrician license examination.

Section 5 requires the department of regulatory agencies to:

• Uphold the rules and regulations of the current edition of the national electrical code, including applying the code to certain equipment;
• Cooperate with utilities to maintain safe clearances and safe working distances for the utilities based on the current edition of the national electrical code; and
• Allow each utility to install its proper metering equipment with the assistance of qualified electrical personnel.
• Participate in an apprenticeship program registered with the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship or a state apprenticeship agency recognized by the United States department of labor (registered apprenticeship program); and
• Have a proven record of graduating apprentices.
• Stating that neither the public utilities commission nor a utility is responsible for monitoring or enforcing compliance with statutory requirements concerning solar photovoltaic installations (installations); and
• Requiring a qualifying retail utility to obtain and retain all documentation submitted in connection with an installation.
• Comply with electrical permitting requirements and be performed by an electrical contractor;
• Include a contemporaneous review of the work; and
• Be subject to compliance checks by state electrical inspectors or individuals appointed by the director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies.

Current law requires that the contract for any public works project that does not receive federal money in an amount of $1,000,000 or more require the general contractor or other entity to submit documentation to the agency that certifies that all firms identified:

Current law allows for photovoltaic installations with a direct current design capacity of less than 300 kilowatts, the performance of all photovoltaic electrical work, the installation of photovoltaic modules, and the installation of photovoltaic module mounting equipment (applicable work) to be subject to on-site supervision by a certified photovoltaic energy practitioner designated by the NABCEP. Section 6 requires that the photovoltaic energy practitioner is also working for a contractor that is not a registered electrical contractor; is registered with the department of regulatory agencies as a photovoltaic installer no later than December 31, 2025; is a business in good standing with the state; and employs a NABCEP PV installation professional.

Section 6 also removes language:

Section 6 also defines "photovoltaic electrical work" as electrical work performed on a photovoltaic system that is covered electrical work in accordance with the national electrical code.

Section 7 addresses photovoltaic electrical work for installations of at least 300 kilowatts, requiring that the work must:

• This Unofficial Version Includes Committee

• Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading

• Page 3, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 3, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-103, amend (2.5) and (3); and add (7.5), (7.7), (9.3), and (9.5) as follows:

• Page 3, Line 312-115-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 115, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 3, Line 4(2.5)  "Direct supervision" means that the supervising licensed

• Page 3, Line 5master electrician, journeyman electrician, or residential wireman, or

• Page 3, Line 6photovoltaic installer is physically present at the same physical address where the apprentice is working.

• Page 4, Line 1(3)  "Electric light, heat, and power" means the standard types of

• Page 4, Line 2electricity that are supplied by an electric utility, regardless of whether the

• Page 4, Line 3source is an electric utility or the inverter output circuit of a photovoltaic

• Page 4, Line 4system, direct-current lighting system, or a similar circuit from another

• Page 4, Line 5type of renewable energy system or electric vehicle charging

• Page 4, Line 6infrastructure, and used and consumed in a real estate improvement or

• Page 4, Line 7real estate fixture regulated in accordance with the national electrical code, excluding chapter 8, "communications systems".

• Page 4, Line 8(7.5)  "NABCEP" means the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

• Page 4, Line 9(7.7)  "NABCEP PV installation professional" means an

• Page 4, Line 10individual who is certified by the NABCEP to install photovoltaic systems.

• Page 4, Line 11(9.3)  "Photovoltaic installer" has the meaning set forth in section 40-2-128 (2)(a.5).

• Page 4, Line 12(9.5)  "PV installation training" means training concerning

• Page 4, Line 13photovoltaic systems installation practices described in the "PV

• Page 4, Line 14Installation Professional Job Task Analysis" document published by the NABCEP.

• Page 4, Line 15SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-110, amend

• Page 4, Line 16(2)(a)(I), (2)(a)(II), (2)(b) introductory portion, (2)(b)(II), (3)(a), (3)(b) introductory portion, and (3)(b)(II); and add (6) and (7) as follows:

• Page 4, Line 1712-115-110.  License requirements - rules - continuing

• Page 4, Line 18education - photovoltaic installer registration - repeal.

• Page 4, Line 19(2)  Journeyman electrician. (a)  An applicant for a journeyman

• Page 4, Line 20electrician's license shall furnish written evidence that the applicant has had the following:

• Page 5, Line 1(I)  Eight thousand hours over a period of at least four years'

• Page 5, Line 2apprenticeship in the electrical trade or eight thousand hours over a

• Page 5, Line 3period of at least four years' practical experience in wiring for,

• Page 5, Line 4installing, and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, and power;

• Page 5, Line 5(II)  Two thousand hours over a period of at least two of the

• Page 5, Line 6applicant's years' years of the applicant's experience required by

• Page 5, Line 7subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section has been in commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work; and

• Page 5, Line 8(b)  An applicant shall be permitted to may substitute for required

• Page 5, Line 9practical experience evidence of academic training or practical experience in the electrical field, which shall be is credited as follows:

• Page 5, Line 10(II)  If the applicant has academic training, including military

• Page 5, Line 11training or PV installation training, that does not qualify under

• Page 5, Line 12subsection (2)(b)(I) of this section, the board shall may provide work

• Page 5, Line 13experience credit for the training or for substantially similar training established by rule.

• Page 5, Line 14(3)  Residential wireman. (a)  An applicant for a residential

• Page 5, Line 15wireman's license shall furnish written evidence that the applicant has at

• Page 5, Line 16least two years of accredited training or four thousand hours over a

• Page 5, Line 17period of at least two years of practical experience in wiring one-, two-, three-, and four-family dwellings.

• Page 5, Line 18(b)  An applicant shall be permitted to may substitute for required

• Page 5, Line 19practical experience evidence of academic training in the electrical field, which shall be is credited as follows:

• Page 5, Line 20(II)  If the applicant has academic training, including military

• Page 6, Line 1training or PV installation training, that is not sufficient to qualify

• Page 6, Line 2under subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section, the board shall may provide

• Page 6, Line 3work experience credit for the training according to a uniform ratio established by rule.

• Page 6, Line 4(6) (a)  For the purposes of subsections (2)(a)(I) and (3)(a) of this section, an applicant earns practical experience by working:

• Page 6, Line 5(I)  Two thousand hours as a NABCEP PV installation

• Page 6, Line 6professional working for or working as a photovoltaic installer;

• Page 6, Line 7(II)  Up to two thousand hours of practical experience

• Page 6, Line 8working under the supervision of a NABCEP PV installation

• Page 6, Line 9professional working for or working as a photovoltaic

• Page 6, Line 10installer, so long as the supervising NABCEP PV installation

• Page 6, Line 11professional provides proof of the applicant's employment and

• Page 6, Line 12an affidavit attesting that the applicant earned the hours

• Page 6, Line 13working under the supervision of a NABCEP PV installation professional; or

• Page 6, Line 14(III)  Up to four thousand hours as a NABCEP PV

• Page 6, Line 15installation professional working for or working as a

• Page 6, Line 16photovoltaic installer if the applicant submits additional

• Page 6, Line 17documentation to the board, including payroll records, work

• Page 6, Line 18orders, project descriptions, or other relevant materials that

• Page 6, Line 19document significant solar industry work that qualifies as

• Page 6, Line 20electrical hours. The board shall review the documentation

• Page 6, Line 21and determine how many hours of practical experience the

• Page 6, Line 22applicant earns beyond the two thousand hours permitted by

• Page 6, Line 23subsection (6)(a)(I) of this section.

• Page 7, Line 1(b)  For every two hours that an applicant works as

• Page 7, Line 2described in subsection (6)(a)(II) or (6)(a)(III) of this section, the

• Page 7, Line 3applicant earns one hour for the purposes of subsection (2)(a)(I) or (3)(a) of this section.

• Page 7, Line 4(7) (a)  A contractor that is operating as of September 1,

• Page 7, Line 52025, and that performs work as a photovoltaic installer

• Page 7, Line 6pursuant to section 40-2-128 with at least one NABCEP certified

• Page 7, Line 7employee shall register as a photovoltaic installer with the

• Page 7, Line 8board on or before December 31, 2026; except that a contractor

• Page 7, Line 9may register with the board during a sixty-day grace period in accordance with section 12-20-202 (1)(e).

• Page 7, Line 10(b)  A contractor registering as a photovoltaic installer

• Page 7, Line 11pursuant to this subsection (7) shall designate the contractor's

• Page 7, Line 12primary owner as the designated agent for the purpose of registration with the board.

• Page 7, Line 13(c)  If the designated agent designated pursuant to

• Page 7, Line 14subsection (7)(b) of this section is no longer affiliated with the contractor:

• Page 7, Line 15(I)  The contractor's registration as a photovoltaic installer with the board is invalid; and

• Page 7, Line 16(II)  The contractor's registration is ineligible for reinstatement.

• Page 7, Line 17SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-115-111 as follows:

• Page 7, Line 1812-115-111.  Credit for experience not subject to supervision

• Page 7, Line 19of a licensed electrician. For all applicants seeking work experience

• Page 7, Line 20credit toward licensure, the board shall may give credit for electrical

• Page 8, Line 1work that is not required to be performed by or under the supervision of

• Page 8, Line 2a licensed electrician if the applicant can show that the particular

• Page 8, Line 3experience received or the supervision under which the work has been performed is adequate.

• Page 8, Line 4SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 40-2-128, amend (1)(a)(I)(A) and (2)(a)(I); and add (2)(a.5) as follows:

• Page 8, Line 540-2-128.  Solar photovoltaic installations - supervision -

• Page 8, Line 6qualifications of electrical contractors - definitions. (1)  For all

• Page 8, Line 7photovoltaic installations allowed under section 40-2-124 with a direct current design capacity of less than three hundred kilowatts:

• Page 8, Line 8(a) (I) (A)  The performance of all photovoltaic electrical work, the

• Page 8, Line 9installation of photovoltaic modules, and the installation of photovoltaic

• Page 8, Line 10module mounting equipment is subject to on-site supervision by a

• Page 8, Line 11certified photovoltaic energy practitioner, as designated by the North

• Page 8, Line 12American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and that

• Page 8, Line 13is working for a photovoltaic installer, or a licensed master

• Page 8, Line 14electrician, licensed journeyman electrician, or licensed residential wireman, as those terms are defined in section 12-115-103.

• Page 8, Line 15(2)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 8, Line 16(a) (I)  "Photovoltaic electrical work" means wiring, grounding, or

• Page 8, Line 17repairing electrical apparatus and equipment in a photovoltaic distributed

• Page 8, Line 18generation system means electrical work performed on a

• Page 8, Line 19photovoltaic system that is covered electrical work in

• Page 8, Line 20accordance with the national electrical code, including

• Page 8, Line 21articles 90.2 (1), 90.2 (3), 100, and 690 of the national electrical code.

• Page 8, Line 22(a.5)  "Photovoltaic installer" means a contractor that:

• Page 9, Line 1(I)  Is not a registered electrical contractor, as defined in section 12-115-103 (4);

• Page 9, Line 2(II)  Is registered with the state electrical board as a

• Page 9, Line 3photovoltaic installer pursuant to section 12-115-110 (7) no later than December 31, 2026;

• Page 9, Line 4(III)  Is a business in good standing with the state and registered with the secretary of state;

• Page 9, Line 5(IV)  Is performing photovoltaic electrical work as of September 1, 2025; and

• Page 9, Line 6(V)  Employs a NABCEP PV installation professional, as defined in section 12-115-103 (7.7).

• Page 9, Line 7SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-107, amend (2)(f); and add (2)(f.5) as follows:

• Page 9, Line 812-115-107.  Board powers and duties - rules - definitions.

• Page 9, Line 9(2)  In addition to all other powers and duties conferred or imposed upon the board by this article 115, the board is authorized to:

• Page 9, Line 10(f) (I)  Regulate a licensed master electrician, journeyman

• Page 9, Line 11electrician, or residential wireman, or photovoltaic installer who,

• Page 9, Line 12acting within his or her their scope of competence, supervises a solar photovoltaic installation pursuant to section 40-2-128.

• Page 9, Line 13(II)  On and after January 1, 2020, All photovoltaic electrical work

• Page 9, Line 14for installations of at least three hundred kilowatts, including the

• Page 9, Line 15interconnection of the modules, grounding of the modules, any balance

• Page 9, Line 16of system wiring, and the customer-side point of connection to the utility grid, must:

• Page 9, Line 17(A)  Be performed by a licensed master electrician, a licensed

• Page 9, Line 18journeyman electrician, a licensed residential wireman, or properly supervised electrical apprentices; and must

• Page 10, Line 1(B)  Comply with all applicable requirements of this article 115,

• Page 10, Line 2including sections 12-115-109 and 12-115-115, and all applicable rules of the board.

• Page 10, Line 3(III)  Only an electrical contractor or a photovoltaic

• Page 10, Line 4installer may perform or offer to perform photovoltaic

• Page 10, Line 5electrical work for installations of less than three hundred kilowatts.

• Page 10, Line 6(f.5)  Regulate photovoltaic electrical work for

• Page 10, Line 7installations of less than three hundred kilowatts performed in accordance with section 40-2-128;

• Page 10, Line 8SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-117, amend (1)(l); and add (1)(m) as follows:

• Page 10, Line 912-115-117.  Fees. (1)  As established pursuant to section 12-20-105, fees shall be charged by the board for the following:

• Page 10, Line 10(l)  Apprentice registration; and

• (m)  Photovoltaic installer registration.

• Page 10, Line 11SECTION 7.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 10, Line 12takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 10, Line 13ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 10, Line 14that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 10, Line 15of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 10, Line 16act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 10, Line 17effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 10, Line 18November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.