Does any one know if you pass the ICC commercial electrical inspector exam is it necessary to take the residential one? I have heard the commercial is all you need for your standard license.

I think you are correct, but I'm afraid the DBPR has made what should be a simple matter very confusing. The problem or "grey area" stems from the definition of commercial electrical inspector and residential electrical inspector according to Florida Statutes, chapter 468. I have highlighted some key wording in CAPS:

468.603 Definitions:
(c) "Commercial electrical inspector" means a person who is qualified to inspect and determine the electrical safety of COMMERCIAL buildings and structures by inspecting for compliance with the provisions of the NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE.

(d) "Residential electrical inspector" means a person who is qualified to inspect and determine the electrical safety of ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS and accessory structures by inspecting for compliance with the applicable provisions of the GOVERNING ELECTRICAL CODE.


You see, the state of Florida in it's infinite wisdom, has decided to create a difference between commercial and residential electrical inspector. The commercial allows you to inspect to NEC, for COMMERCIAL buildings. I give credit to Rob Nagin Building Director for Pinellas County, because he was the first one to bring up this issue with DBPR. He stated that if you have a condo (commercial building), a commercial electrical inspector is required. OK - the state agreed. But if you take that same inspector, and put him in a one family dwelling, -- he isn't qualified to inspect it??? Doesn't seem to make sense, does it? The board understood the point Mr. Nagin was making, but statutory changes were never initiated.

In short, if you only go for commercial and you do inspections on residential, IT IS MY OPINION ONLY that no action would be taken on your license if someone complained. I don't think the opposite is true; If you are only licensed as residential and you are inspecting commercial, I think you could get in serious trouble.

My advice is that if you pass the commercial test then passing the residential should be a breeze. Everyone who passes the commercial should go for the residential. Then, one would qualify for the voluntary "Standard Electrical Inspector" SEI license (yes - another electrical category) and you don't have to take any more tests. Just apply for it and submit proof of passing residential and commercial electric.

YOU NEED BOTH

Is that only here in Florida? The inspectors in Las Vegas are all combination inspecors and some as far as doing structural, building, electrical, plumbing etc. It seems they are more strict, in Florida, in that you have to be licenced in your area to inspect, which makes a world of sense. Electrical has so much going on I could not imagine trying to inspect all the other trades as well.

Yes Rob, Florida has two licenses. I'm not sure about other states, they can all be different I guess, because it's all based on state law for that specific state.

In Florida you need whatever license required for whatever category electric you were hired to inspect. As far as multi-trade, the only multi-trade license here in Florida is for RESIDENTIAL only. In order to inspect for all trades commercial, it would require the 4 individual licenses, one for each trade.

Another point -- to qualify to take the inspector's exams you need to prove 5 years experience in the category sought.