Contractor and Homeowner Requirements Choose a topic: 1999 National Electrical Code Information Bonds Certification Requirements and Application Commercial Plans Electrical Inspection Requirements Electrical Ordinance Electrical Permit Application Fees Homeowner Requirements (includes Homeowner electrical permit affidavit and application) Inspection Matrix Inspection Required Inspection Types License Requirements Special System Requirements Vehicular Signs License Requirements Any person or entity desiring to conduct trade or provide services within the city limits or the Police Jurisdiction of the City of Mobile is required to register (obtain a license) with the City of Mobile. Please contact the Revenue Department at (251) 208-7462 for license information. It is required of every electrical contractor to pay a license tax as provided in the general license ordinances of the City of Mobile. (back to top) Certification Requirements It is unlawful for any person to work as a Master electrician, Journeyman electrician or Maintenance electrician without first obtaining a “Certificate of Competency” as required by the City of Mobile Electrical Ordinance. Applications for Master electrician, Journeyman electrician, Maintenance electrician and Special systems installer. Applications may also be acquired at both Urban Development locations. The Test dates for the City of Mobile electrical examination are the second Wednesday of each January and July. Deadline for applications are 30 days prior to examination date. Fees for Test: Master Electrician - $115.00 Journeyman Electrician - $65.00 Associate Journeyman Electrician - $65.00 Special Systems Certification - $65.00 Reciprocity with other municipalities: Reciprocity with Mobile County and other Alabama Governmental bodies, at the Examining Board’s discretion, may be established considering only the applicants who have successfully completed the Experior prepared, proctored and graded examination and having attained a score of 75% for Master Electrician. A Master Electrician that has a current State of Alabama Master Electrician’s certification may request a City of Mobile Master Electrical certificate for a $25.00 fee. (See Electrical Ordinance: state issuance fee). See Electrical Ordinance. Requirements for persons applying for Electrical certifications and Special System certifications: Proper identification required for applicant. Valid State of Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure certification for Special systems applicants. Four-passport size photos. (back to top) Bonds It shall be the duty of every electrical contractor to give good and sufficient bond in the sum of $10,000.00 on the appropriate bond form required by the City of Mobile Electrical ordinance. (back to top) Commercial Plans Commercial plans and specifications must meet the requirements of the City of Mobile Building Ordinance adopting the 2000 edition of the International Building Code. Fee for the Commercial plan review: $51.00 Special requirements for Electrical service disconnecting means per City of Mobile Electrical Ordinance. See Electrical Ordinance. Plan review checklist. See timesavers and forms. (back to top) Vehicular signs All trucks and similar vehicles used by electrical contractors shall have signs on the body on both sides of same, the full name, address and telephone number of the firm to which it belongs. Lettering may be any color in contrast to the color of the body, but letters must be at least 1-1/2 inches high on firm’s name. (back to top) Homeowner Requirements Electrical Permits Homeowner electrical permit affidavit and sample homeowner electrical test (pdf 94kb) Proper identification is required which may consist of a valid driver’s license/photo identification. Proof of ownership may consist of a copy of your property deed, tax appraisal, buyer’s agreement, or contract. (back to top) Electrical Inspection Requirements Inspection Required The Electrical Official or his/her duly authorized designee shall, during the installation or alteration or extension of an electrical wiring system, make or cause inspections to be made to assure compliance with the provisions of the City of Mobile Electrical Code. No work in connection with the electrical wiring system shall be covered or concealed until it has been inspected. It shall be unlawful for any person to commence any electrical work before obtaining the necessary permit from the City of Mobile. (back to top) Inspections Types The electrical inspections include but are not limited to: Is your power off and you need to have it turned on? Maybe you need a six-month investigation? What is a six-month electrical investigation? A six-month investigation is one of the most frequently requested electrical inspections. There is a standard timeframe within most communities that if the electrical service has been disconnected for a period exceeding six-months, it is required that an inspection by the electrical unit be conducted before the service can be reconnected. This allows the inspector to detect any problems, violations, or changes that may have occurred within that period. The electrical inspector will perform a visual inspection on the exterior and interior electrical systems, looking for damage, alterations, and violations; if there are no problems he/she will authorize the utility company to reconnect the electrical systems. If a problem is found he/she shall require that an electrical contractor make the proper repairs. Who can purchase a six-month investigation? There are no restrictions on who may purchase a six-month investigation; the landlord, tenant, or their representative may purchase the permit. We do require the proper address, a phone number of the responsible person(s) to contact, and that the structure or building be unlocked. If you wish to have the power reconnected you may purchase for $21.00 a permit at the City of Mobile Urban Development, Code Administration’s two locations: 205 Government Street, 3rd Floor South Tower or the Satellite Office at 324 South University Boulevard. For more information please call: (251) 343-6713. Most common problems that cause a six-month investigation inspection to fail: Damaged outside electrical service and meter. Grounding wire damaged or missing. Alterations that cause a possible hazard. A/C units not properly connected. Switch covers, receptacle covers, smoke detectors, or light fixtures missing. Oversized breakers or fuses. Underground inspections which are to be made after the trenches or ditches are excavated, conduit or cable installed, and before any backfill is put in place. The Rough-in inspection is to be made after the roof, framing fire blocking, bracing and rough wiring is in place and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes. The Final inspection is to be made after the building is complete, all required fixtures are in place and properly connected or protected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. Additional Inspection types may be found in the electrical fee schedule. (back to top) Special System requirements. (Low voltage) Any person desiring to obtain a certificate of competency limited to the installation of special systems (50 volts or less) shall have a valid State of Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure certification. They shall be required to make application to the Board of Examiners in all respects as would a Master or Journeyman electrician, and shall submit to such examination as will be devised by the Board of Examiners. (back to top) 1999 National Electrical Code (can be purchased at bookstores and the National Fire Protection Association – www.nfpa.org) The Electrical ordinance for the City of Mobile adopts the 1999 National Electrical Code. (back to top) City of Mobile Electrical Code 1999 Electrical Permit application Inspection Matrix The inspection matrix will show when an electrical inspection is required. (back to top) Other Recommended Web Links: Alabama Electrical Contractors Board Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure Homebuilders Licensure Board Federal Emergency Management Agency National Fire Protection Association Electrical inspections include but are not limited to: Temporary services for construction Underground trench and pipe inspections on commercial and residential projects Rough wiring electrical inspections on commercial and residential Final wiring electrical inspections on commercial and residential Swimming pool electrical inspection New and upgraded electrical service inspections Emergency electrical service repair inspections Six month investigations on vacant structures Alarm inspections on commercial and residential (back to top)