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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

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Construction Work Regulated?

In Nebraska, electrical work associated with road construction is regulated at the state level. In addition, construction contracts valued at more than $2,500 that are performed by out-of-state contractors are subject to state regulation.

Contractors must obtain prequalification before bidding on state highway projects exceeding $2,500. Outside of highway construction, all electrical work is regulated under the Nebraska State Electrical Act, regardless of project value.

Who Regulates Construction?

Highway prequalification information may be obtained from:

Nebraska Department of Roads
Contract Lettings Division
Post Office Box 94759
Lincoln, NE 68509-4759
(402) 479-4525 Fax (402) 479-3803
https://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/hwy-bridge-lp/

Contractor registration information may be obtained from:

Nebraska Department of Labor
Office of Labor Standards
550 South16th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-2239
https://dol.nebraska.gov/
EMAIL: [email protected]

Electrical licensing information and permit requirements may be obtained from:

Nebraska State Electrical Board
Post Office Box 95066
1220 Lincoln Mall, Suite 125
Lincoln, NE 68509-5066
(402) 471-3550 Fax (402) 471-4297
https://electrical.nebraska.gov/

Tax License Information may be obtained from:

Nebraska Department of Revenue
Post Office Box 94818
Lincoln, NE 68509-4818
(402) 471-5729
https://www.revenue.nebraska.gov

Requirements?

Nebraska Contractor and Electrical Licensing Requirements
Contractor Registration

All contractors performing work in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor and be included in the joint Department of Labor and Department of Revenue Contractor Registration Database. The database serves as the central system for contractor registration, annual renewals, and contractor tax option elections.

To register, contractors must provide:

General business and contact information;
Proof of unemployment insurance coverage;
Proof of workers' compensation insurance coverage;
Selection of a contractor tax option, which determines how sales tax is paid on construction materials used in projects; and
Payment of the $25 annual registration fee, unless exempt by affidavit.

Contractors are generally required to obtain a Nebraska sales or use tax permit by filing a Nebraska Tax Application (Form 20).

Contractors who make payments to unregistered contractors or subcontractors must withhold 5% of those payments and remit the funds to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The withheld amounts are treated similarly to income tax withholding and require a Nebraska withholding tax license. Contractors must also issue the appropriate Form 1099-NEC reporting the withheld amount.

Electrical License Renewal

Electrical licenses and apprentice registrations issued by the Nebraska State Electrical Board expire on December 31 of each even-numbered year.

To renew a license, applicants must complete at least 12 hours of Board-approved continuing education, including a minimum of six hours focused on the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Expired licenses may be renewed within three months of expiration by paying the renewal fee plus a late penalty equal to 10% of the renewal fee for each month, or portion thereof, past the expiration date. Licenses expired for more than three months require the applicant to apply for a new license.

Performing electrical work without the required license is a Class I misdemeanor and may result in penalties of up to one year of imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

Electrical Contractor License

Applicants for an Electrical Contractor license must either:

Graduate from an accredited four-year electrical program at a college or university; or
Possess at least one year of experience as a Journeyman Electrician that is acceptable to the Board.
Journeyman Electrician License

Applicants must have at least four years of electrical trade experience acceptable to the Board. Registered apprenticeship experience may be credited toward this requirement. The Board may also grant up to one year of experience credit for successful completion of a Board-approved two-year post-secondary electrical program.

Residential Journeyman Electrician License

Applicants must have at least three years of electrical trade experience acceptable to the Board. Apprenticeship experience may be credited toward the experience requirement, and up to one year of experience credit may be granted for completion of an approved two-year post-secondary electrical program.

This license is limited to residential electrical installations.

Fire Alarm Installer License

Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of experience, acceptable to the Board, in the planning, design, layout, and installation of fire alarm systems.

Type of License / License Fee/Even Numbered Year / License Fee/Odd Numbered Year / Exam Fee

Electrical Contractor / $125 / $250 / $125
Journeyman Electrician / $25 / $50 / $60
Residential Journeyman Wireman / $25 / $50 / $60
Fire Alarm Installer / $25 / $50 / $60
Apprentice Electrician / $20 / $40 / N/A

Reciprocal Agreements

Nebraska maintains reciprocal licensing agreements for Electrical Contractor licenses with Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Texas.

The state also offers reciprocity for Journeyman Electrician licenses with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.