Section .0800

SECTION .0800 – SPECIAL RESTRICTED LICENSES

.0801. GENERAL PROVISIONS
.0802. ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL RESTRICTED CLASSIFICATION
.0803. SCOPE OF SP-SFD LICENSE
.0804. SCOPE OF SP-FA/LV LICENSE
.0805. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN LOW VOLTAGE WIRING SYSTEMS
.0806. SCOPE OF SP-EL LICENSE
.0807. SCOPE OF SP-PH LICENSE
.0808. SCOPE OF SP-WP LICENSE
.0809. SCOPE OF SP-ES LICENSE
.0810. SCOPE OF SP-SP LICENSE

.0801. GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a) Types. A special restricted electrical contracting license classification is a classification established pursuant to G.S. 87-43.3 or by G.S. 87-43.4. Its purpose is to license persons, partnerships, firms, or corporations to engage or offer to engage in only a limited phase of electrical contracting work. Each special restricted license classification is separate from all other special restricted and regular license classifications. The General Assembly created the special restricted single family dwelling electrical contracting license in G.S. 87-43.4. Pursuant to 
G.S. 87-43.3, the Board has established the following special restricted electrical contracting licenses:

(1) fire alarm/low voltage wiring license (SP-FA/LV);

(2) elevator license (SP-EL);

(3) plumbing, heating, and air conditioning license (SP-PH);

(4) groundwater pump license (SP-WP);

(5) electric sign license (SP-ES); and

(6) swimming pool license (SP-SP).

(b) Limited Scope. A special restricted contracting license does not authorize the licensee to engage or offer to engage in the business of electrical contracting in general. It authorizes the licensee to engage or offer to engage only in the limited phase of electrical contracting described in the Rule in this Section that specifies the scope of the applicable special restricted license.

(c) No Project Value Limit. The limitations concerning the dollar value of projects that may be undertaken by a limited or an intermediate licensee do not apply to special restricted licensees. Thus, the holder of a special restricted license may engage or offer to engage in any project authorized by the license regardless of the dollar value of the project.

(d) Effect of Regular License. A licensee in the regular license classifications, whether limited, intermediate or unlimited, is qualified to engage or offer to engage in any activity authorized by a special restricted license, subject to the project value limitations contained in G.S. 87-43.3, and does not have to obtain a special restricted license.

History Note:    Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3; 87-43.4;
Eff. October 1, 1988; Amended Eff. January 1, 2010; February 1, 1995; February 1, 1990.

.0802. ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL RESTRICTED CLASSIFICATION

(a) The Board shall establish a special restricted license classification pursuant to G.S. 87-43.3 when it finds that:

(1) the licensees who hold regular electrical contracting licenses are not meeting the need for the proposed electrical work to be authorized by the special restricted license; and

(2) establishing the special restricted license classification serves the public interest.

(b) The Board shall establish special restricted license classifications by rule-making conducted pursuant to the requirements of G.S. 150B, Article 2A.

History Note:     Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. May 1, 1999.

.0803. SCOPE OF SP-SFD LICENSE

(a) The following definitions apply in determination of the scope of work available to the holder of a SP-SFD license:

(1) “Ancillary” with reference to the scope of a single family residential dwelling license, is an appurtenance or out-building or similar structure associated with the single family dwelling such as a detached residential garage or carport, a farm or household equipment storage shed, a barn, a pump house, an electric fence, or yard lighting.

(2) “Habitation” means the occupancy of dwelling primarily or exclusively for residential purposes and includes the incidental use of the dwelling or its ancillaries for a business, commercial, or professional activity, such as providing hair dressing, medical, legal, consulting, or tax services, if:

(A) the activity is incidental to the primary use of the dwelling as a residence;

(B) no stock-in-trade is either displayed or sold on the premises; and

(C) the full-time or part-time services of no more than one person who does not live at the dwelling are used in the activity.

(3) A “single family residential dwelling” is a building or a manufactured home that is designed and used only for habitation by one family and is not physically attached to any other building or structure. Cabanas, porches, room additions, and ancillary structures are considered part of a single family dwelling if they are designed for and used only for residential purposes by the occupants of the dwelling.

(b) A special restricted single family residential dwelling electrical contracting license (SP-SFD) authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair only electrical wiring and devices that are in or on a single family residential dwelling or are ancillary to a single family residential dwelling. Electrical work within the scope of another special restricted license may be performed by a SP-SFD licensee without obtaining the other special restricted license as long as it is in or on a single family residential dwelling or is ancillary to a single family residential dwelling.

History Note:   Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.4;
Eff. October 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2011.

.0804. SCOPE OF SP-FA/LV LICENSE

(a) Definition. As used in this Chapter, fire alarm, burglar alarm and low voltage wiring systems are defined as:

(1) wiring systems of 50 volts or less and control circuits directly associated therewith;

(2) wiring systems that have a voltage in excess of 50 volts and consist solely of power limited circuits meeting the definition of a Class II or Class III wiring system in the National Electrical Code or paging systems not in excess of 70 volts;

(3) line voltage wiring that has a voltage not in excess of 300 volts to ground and is installed from the load-side terminals of a disconnecting means or from a junction box, either of which has been installed by others, for the specific purpose of supplying the low voltage wiring system involved. Some low voltage wiring systems that meet this definition are exempt under Rule .0805.

(4) interconnected components wired to a common control panel either as a standalone fire alarm system or as part of a combination burglar/fire system to monitor and annunciate the status of evidence of flame, heat, smoke, or water flow within a building or structure in accordance with the requirements of the N.C. State Building Code and NFPA 72; or

(5) alarm systems for devices used to detect burglary or theft as defined in G.S. 74D-2(a).

(b) Scope. A special restricted fire alarm/low voltage electrical contracting license authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair only low voltage wiring and directly related wiring. Wiring is directed related if it:

(1) originates at the load-side terminals of a disconnecting means or junction box that:

(A) has been installed, complete with line-side connections, by others for the specific purpose of supplying the low voltage wiring system involved; and

(B) is permanently and legibly marked to identify the low voltage wiring system supplied; and

(2) is not installed in a location considered as hazardous under the National Electrical Code.

History Note:   Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2011; January 1, 2010

.0805. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN LOW VOLTAGE WIRING SYSTEMS

(a) Exemption. Except a fire alarm, burglar alarm or low voltage wiring system as defined in Rule .0804, the installation, maintenance, or repair of low voltage wiring systems may be performed by those not licensed by the Board if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) the system is not required by the N. C. State Building Code;

(2) the low voltage control circuit and power supply is a Class II or Class III system as defined in the National Electrical Code other than that described in Rule .0804;

(3) the system operates at a voltage not in excess of 50 volts or meets the provisions for sound-recording and similar equipment in the National Electrical Code;

(4) no part of the system is installed in an area considered as hazardous under the National Electrical Code;

(5) the system is current limited or protected by a circuit breaker, fuse, or other current limiting device; and

(6) a failure in the system would not, in the opinion of the electrical inspector having jurisdiction, create a shock or fire hazard to persons or property.

History Note:   Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988; Amended Eff. January 1, 2010.

 .0806. SCOPE OF SP-EL LICENSE

A special restricted elevator electrical contracting license (SP-EL) authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring only as an incident to the licensee’s elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, moving walk, or personnel hoist business. Furthermore, the license authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair only electric wiring that:

(1) is an integral part of an elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, moving walk, or personnel hoist;

(2) is electrically isolated from the building wiring such as a safety switch or circuit breaker, that has been installed, complete with line-side connections, by others; and

(3) originates at the load-side terminals of the protective isolating device, referred to as “beyond the disconnection means.”

History Note:    Authority G. S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988.

.0807. SCOPE OF SP-PH LICENSE

A special restricting plumbing, heating, and air conditioning electrical contracting license (SP-PH) authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair electric wiring or devices only as an incident to the licensee’s plumbing, heating, or air conditioning business. Furthermore, the license authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair only wiring that is directly related to plumbing, heating, or air conditioning equipment and that:

(1) is restricted to circuits or parts of circuits that operate at voltages not exceeding 600 volts, phase-to-phase;

(2) is electrically isolated from the building wiring system by an overcurrent protective isolating device, such as a fused switch or circuit breaker, that:

(a) has been installed, complete with line-side connections, by others;

(b) is permanently and legibly marked to identify the equipment served by the device; and

(c) is located within an enclosure intended solely for, and limited to, serving the specific plumbing, heating, or air conditioning equipment involved, or is located within a panelboard that serves the building wiring system and is likewise permanently and legibly marked to identify the equipment served by the device, provided wiring is installed by others from the load-side terminals of the device to a junction box, auxilliary gutter, or similar disconnecting means located outside the panelboard, but in sight of and within 50 feet of, the plumbing, heating, or air conditioning equipment served;

(3) originates at the load-side terminals of the protective isolating device;

(4) except for control wiring, is physically adjacent to the plumbing, heating, or air conditioning equipment from the equipment. Control wiring that receives its control power from the plumbing, heating, or air conditioning equipment involved may extend beyond these limits if the control voltage does not exceed 120 volts to ground and the wiring is protected from overcurrent; and

(5) is not installed in a location considered as hazardous under the National Electrical Code.

History Note:   Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988.

.0808. SCOPE OF SP-WP LICENSE

A special restricted groundwater pump electrical contracting license (SP-WP) authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair electric wiring only as an incident to the licensee’s groundwater pump business. Furthermore, the license authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair only wiring that is directly related to a groundwater pump and that:

(1) is restricted to circuits or parts of circuits that operate at voltages not exceeding 600 volts, phase-to-phase;

(2) is electrically isolated from the building wiring system by an overcurrent protective isolating device that:

(a) has been installed, complete with line-side connections, by others;

(b) is permanently and legibly marked to identify the equipment served by the device; and

(c) is located adjacent to the controller for the specific groundwater pump equipment involved and within an enclosure intended solely for, and limited to, serving that equipment;

(3) originates at the load-side terminals of the protective isolating device; and

(4) is not installed in a location considered as hazardous under the National Electrical Code.

History Note:   Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988.

.0809. SCOPE OF SP-ES LICENSE

(a) Definitions. As used in this Rule:

(1) “Electric sign” means fixed, stationary, or portable self-contained, electrically illuminated utilization equipment that has words or symbols designed to convey information or attract attention. The term includes outline lighting.

(2) “Outline lighting” means an arrangement of incandescent lamps or electric discharge tubing that outlines or otherwise calls attention to certain features, such as the shape of a building or the decoration of a window.

(b) Scope of License. A special restricted electric sign electrical contracting license (SP-ES) authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair electric wiring or devices only as an incident to the licensee’s electric sign business. Furthermore, the license authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair only wiring that is directly related to electric signs and is electrically isolated from the building wiring system. Wiring that is directly related differs depending on the type sign involved:

(1) Except for electric signs described in Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this Rule, related wiring is the portion of the electric sign wiring that originates at the load-side terminals of a disconnecting means located immediately adjacent to the electric sign involved, or originates within a junction box so located. Related wiring does not include the installation of the disconnecting means, complete with line-side connections, or the installation of the junction box, complete with free-length circuit conductors to accommodate the connection of the related wiring in the box.

(2) For electric sign installations having sign transformers installed physically apart from the sign, related wiring is the portion of the electric sign wiring that originates at the load-side terminals of a disconnecting means located immediately adjacent to the sign transformer supplying the electric sign involved, or originates within a junction box so located. Related wiring does not include the installation of the disconnecting means, complete with line-side connections, or the installation of the junction box, complete with free-length circuit conductors to accommodate the connection of the related wiring in the box.

(3) For free-standing electric sign installations supplied through underground circuit conductors, related wiring is the portion of the electric sign wiring that originates at a wiring termination point located at, within, or immediately above the permanent base for the sign structure. Related wiring does not include the installation of:

(A) a junction box, located at, within or immediately above the permanent base for the sign, complete with free-length circuit conductors to accommodate the connection of the related wiring; or

(B) if the base of the structure is suitable for use as a raceway, the installation of bushing, complete with free-length circuit conductors extending through to accommodate the connection of the related wiring within the sign structure raceway.

(4) For electric signs specifically designed to be connected directly to the building wiring raceway or cable supply, related wiring is the portion of the electric sign wiring that originates at the point where the free-length circuit conductors extend through the building wiring raceway or cable at the specifically designed supply location for the electric sign involved. Related wiring does not include the installation of the building wiring raceway or cable system to the specifically designated point of supply for the electric sign involved, complete with free-length circuit conductors extending through the building wiring raceway or cable to accommodate the connection of the related wiring.

(5) Except for the related wiring on the secondary side of sign transformers, related wiring is restricted to circuits or parts of circuits that operate at voltages not exceeding 600 volts, phase-to-phase.

(6) No related wiring, or any part thereof, may be installed in a location considered as hazardous under the National Electrical Code.

History Note:  Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988; Amended Eff. February 1, 1990.

.0810. SCOPE OF SP-SP LICENSE

A special restricted swimming pool electrical contracting license (SP-SP) authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, or repair swimming pool bonding work only as an incident to the licensee’s business of installing, maintaining, or repairing swimming pools. Furthermore, the license authorizes the licensee to perform only the:

(1) Bonding together of all of the following metal parts on or near a swimming pool installation:

(a) all metal parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing metal of the pool shell, coping stones, and deck;

(b) all forming shells;

(c) all metal fittings within or attached to the pool structure; and

(d) all metal conduit, metal piping, fixed metal parts.

(2) Installation of a common bonding grid, bonding together all parts listed in Subdivision (1);

(3) Installation of the forming shells for lighting fixtures and underwater audio equipment;

(4) Installation of the conduits extending from the lighting fixture and audio equipment forming shells to deck or junction boxes and the installation of the deck or junction boxes;

(5) Installation of the lighting fixtures and audio equipment in their respective forming shells from the forming shells to the deck or junction boxes, leaving appropriate leads in the deck or junction boxes to which the circuit conductors can be connected by others; and

(6) Installation of a bonding conductor and from the point of its connection to the common bonding grid to a readily accessible point at the circulating pump location.

History Note:  Authority G.S. 87-42; 87-43.3;
Eff. October 1, 1988.