Senate Bill 25-165 Revised

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:

• 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), (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(III)  Effective January 1, 2011, During the last four eight years

• Page 5, Line 9of the applicant's training, apprenticeship, or practical experience in

• Page 5, Line 10wiring for, installing, and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment for

• Page 5, Line 11electric light, heat, and power, completion of at least two hundred

• Page 5, Line 12eighty-eight hours of training in safety, the national electrical code and its

• Page 5, Line 13applications, and any other training required by the board that is provided

• Page 5, Line 14by an accredited college or university, an established industry training

• Page 5, Line 15program, or any other provider whose training is conducted in compliance

• Page 5, Line 16with rules promulgated adopted by the board, in collaboration with

• Page 5, Line 17established industry training programs and industry representatives. The

• Page 5, Line 18board may grant an applicant credit toward the training

• Page 5, Line 19requirement in this subsection (2)(a)(III) for training that

• Page 5, Line 20occurred before the last eight years of the applicant's training,

• Page 5, Line 21apprenticeship, or practical experience if the applicant provides

• Page 5, Line 22proof of completion of no less than four hours of additional

• Page 5, Line 23training on the current or immediately previous edition of the

• Page 5, Line 24national electrical code or the standards adopted by the board pursuant subsection 12-115-107 (2)(a).

• Page 6, Line 1(b)  An applicant shall be permitted to may substitute for required

• Page 6, Line 2practical experience evidence of academic training or practical experience in the electrical field, which shall be is credited as follows:

• Page 6, Line 3(II)  If the applicant has academic training, including military

• Page 6, Line 4training or PV installation training, that does not qualify under

• Page 6, Line 5subsection (2)(b)(I) of this section, the board shall may provide work

• Page 6, Line 6experience credit for the training or for substantially similar training established by rule.

• Page 6, Line 7(3)  Residential wireman. (a)  An applicant for a residential

• Page 6, Line 8wireman's license shall furnish written evidence that the applicant has at

• Page 6, Line 9least two years of accredited training or four thousand hours over a

• Page 6, Line 10period of at least two years of practical experience in wiring one-, two-, three-, and four-family dwellings.

• Page 6, Line 11(b)  An applicant shall be permitted to may substitute for required

• Page 6, Line 12practical experience evidence of academic training in the electrical field, which shall be is credited as follows:

• Page 6, Line 13(II)  If the applicant has academic training, including military

• Page 6, Line 14training or PV installation training, that is not sufficient to qualify

• Page 6, Line 15under subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section, the board shall may provide

• Page 6, Line 16work experience credit for the training according to a uniform ratio established by rule.

• Page 6, Line 17(6) (a)  For the purposes of subsections (2)(a)(I) and (3)(a) of

• Page 6, Line 18this section, in addition to other means of earning practical experience, an applicant earns practical experience by working:

• Page 6, Line 19(I)  Two thousand hours as a NABCEP PV installation

• Page 6, Line 20professional working for or working as a photovoltaic installer;

• Page 7, Line 1(II)  Up to two thousand hours of practical experience

• Page 7, Line 2working under the supervision of a NABCEP PV installation

• Page 7, Line 3professional working for or working as a photovoltaic

• Page 7, Line 4installer, so long as the supervising NABCEP PV installation

• Page 7, Line 5professional provides proof of the applicant's employment and

• Page 7, Line 6an affidavit attesting that the applicant earned the hours

• Page 7, Line 7working under the supervision of a NABCEP PV installation professional; or

• Page 7, Line 8(III)  Up to four thousand hours as a NABCEP PV

• Page 7, Line 9installation professional working for or working as a

• Page 7, Line 10photovoltaic installer if the applicant submits additional

• Page 7, Line 11documentation to the board, including payroll records, work

• Page 7, Line 12orders, project descriptions, or other relevant materials that

• Page 7, Line 13document significant solar industry work that qualifies as

• Page 7, Line 14electrical hours. The board shall review the documentation

• Page 7, Line 15and determine how many hours of practical experience the

• Page 7, Line 16applicant earns beyond the two thousand hours permitted by subsection (6)(a)(I) of this section.

• Page 7, Line 17(b)  For every two hours that an applicant works as

• Page 7, Line 18described in subsection (6)(a)(II) or (6)(a)(III) of this section, the

• Page 7, Line 19applicant earns one hour for the purposes of subsection (2)(a)(I) or (3)(a) of this section.

• Page 7, Line 20(7) (a)  A contractor that is operating as of September 1,

• Page 7, Line 212025, and that performs work as a photovoltaic installer

• Page 7, Line 22pursuant to section 40-2-128 with at least one NABCEP certified

• Page 7, Line 23employee shall register as a photovoltaic installer with the

• Page 8, Line 1board on or before December 31, 2026; except that a contractor

• Page 8, Line 2may register with the board during a sixty-day grace period in accordance with section 12-20-202 (1)(e).

• Page 8, Line 3(b)  A contractor registering as a photovoltaic installer

• Page 8, Line 4pursuant to this subsection (7) shall designate an agent or agents for the purpose of registration with the board.

• Page 8, Line 5(c)  If none of the agents designated pursuant to

• Page 8, Line 6subsection (7)(b) of this section are affiliated with the contractor:

• Page 8, Line 7(I)  The contractor's registration as a photovoltaic installer with the board is invalid; and

• Page 8, Line 8(II)  The contractor's registration is ineligible for reinstatement.

• Page 8, Line 9SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-115-111 as follows:

• Page 8, Line 1012-115-111.  Credit for experience not subject to supervision

• Page 8, Line 11of a licensed electrician. For all applicants seeking work experience

• Page 8, Line 12credit toward licensure, the board shall may give credit for electrical

• Page 8, Line 13work that is not required to be performed by or under the supervision of

• Page 8, Line 14a licensed electrician if the applicant can show that the particular

• Page 8, Line 15experience received or the supervision under which the work has been performed is adequate.

• Page 8, Line 16SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 40-2-128, amend (1)(a)(I)(A) and (2)(a)(I); and add (2)(a.5) and (3) as follows:

• Page 8, Line 1740-2-128.  Solar photovoltaic installations - supervision -

• Page 8, Line 18qualifications of electrical contractors - definitions. (1)  For all

• Page 8, Line 19photovoltaic installations allowed under section 40-2-124 with a direct current design capacity of less than three hundred kilowatts:

• Page 9, Line 1(a) (I) (A)  The performance of all photovoltaic electrical work, the

• Page 9, Line 2installation of photovoltaic modules, and the installation of photovoltaic

• Page 9, Line 3module mounting equipment is subject to on-site supervision by a

• Page 9, Line 4certified photovoltaic energy practitioner, as designated by the North

• Page 9, Line 5American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and that

• Page 9, Line 6is working for a photovoltaic installer, or a licensed master

• Page 9, Line 7electrician, licensed journeyman electrician, or licensed residential wireman, as those terms are defined in section 12-115-103.

• Page 9, Line 8(2)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 9, Line 9(a) (I)  "Photovoltaic electrical work" means wiring, grounding, or

• Page 9, Line 10repairing electrical apparatus and equipment in a photovoltaic distributed

• Page 9, Line 11generation system means electrical work performed on a

• Page 9, Line 12photovoltaic system that is covered electrical work in

• Page 9, Line 13accordance with the national electrical code, including

• Page 9, Line 14articles 90.2 (1), 90.2 (3), 100, and 690 of the national electrical code.

• Page 9, Line 15(a.5)  "Photovoltaic installer" means a contractor that:

• Page 9, Line 16(I)  Is not a registered electrical contractor, as defined in section 12-115-103 (4);

• Page 9, Line 17(II)  Is registered with the state electrical board as a

• Page 9, Line 18photovoltaic installer pursuant to section 12-115-110 (7) no later than December 31, 2026;

• Page 9, Line 19(III)  Is a business in good standing with the state and registered with the secretary of state;

• Page 9, Line 20(IV)  Is performing photovoltaic electrical work as of

• Page 9, Line 21September 1, 2025; and

• Page 10, Line 1(V)  Employs a NABCEP PV installation professional, as defined in section 12-115-103 (7.7).

• Page 10, Line 2(3)  This section does not affect the state electrical

• Page 10, Line 3board's regulation of photovoltaic electrical work performed

• Page 10, Line 4on photovoltaic installations with a current design capacity of

• Page 10, Line 5at least three hundred kilowatts pursuant to section 12-115-107(2)(f).

• Page 10, Line 6SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-107, amend (2)(f); and add (2)(f.5) as follows:

• Page 10, Line 712-115-107.  Board powers and duties - rules - definitions.

• Page 10, Line 8(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 10, Line 9(f) (I)  Regulate a licensed master electrician, journeyman

• Page 10, Line 10electrician, or residential wireman, or photovoltaic installer who,

• Page 10, Line 11acting within his or her their scope of competence, supervises a solar photovoltaic installation pursuant to section 40-2-128.

• Page 10, Line 12(II)  On and after January 1, 2020, All photovoltaic electrical work

• Page 10, Line 13for installations of at least three hundred kilowatts, including the

• Page 10, Line 14interconnection of the modules, grounding of the modules, any balance

• Page 10, Line 15of system wiring, and the customer-side point of connection to the utility grid, must:

• Page 10, Line 16(A)  Be performed by a licensed master electrician, a licensed

• Page 10, Line 17journeyman electrician, a licensed residential wireman, or properly supervised electrical apprentices; and must

• Page 10, Line 18(B)  Comply with all applicable requirements of this article 115,

• Page 10, Line 19including sections 12-115-109 and 12-115-115, and all applicable rules

• Page 10, Line 20of the board.

• Page 11, Line 1(III)  Only an electrical contractor or a photovoltaic

• Page 11, Line 2installer may perform or offer to perform photovoltaic

• Page 11, Line 3electrical work for installations of less than three hundred kilowatts.

• Page 11, Line 4(f.5)  Regulate photovoltaic electrical work for

• Page 11, Line 5installations of less than three hundred kilowatts performed in accordance with section 40-2-128;

• Page 11, Line 6SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-117, amend (1)(l); and add (1)(m) as follows:

• Page 11, Line 712-115-117.  Fees. (1)  As established pursuant to section 12-20-105, fees shall be charged by the board for the following:

• Page 11, Line 8(l)  Apprentice registration; and

• (m)  Photovoltaic installer registration.

• Page 11, Line 9SECTION 7.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 11, Line 10takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 11, Line 11ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 11, Line 12that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 11, Line 13of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 11, Line 14act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 11, Line 15effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 11, Line 16November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.