ut-20260915-R156-55b-302a: R156-55b-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education and Experience Requirements

1. Agency Information

Title catchline: Commerce, Professional Licensing Building: Heber M Wells Building Street address: 160 E 300 S City, state: Salt Lake City, UT Mailing address: PO Box 146741 City, state and zip: Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741

2. Contact Persons

Name: Phone: Email: Matt Johnson 801-530-6701 mmjohnson@utah.gov Steve Duncombe 801-530-6235 sduncombe@utah.gov Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

A. Rule or section catchline:

R156-55b-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education and Experience Requirements

B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:

This proposed amendment clarifies the scope of recognized institutional accreditation by specifying the types of accrediting agencies that may qualify under the framework, including regional, national, faith-based, private, career-oriented, and programmatic accrediting bodies.

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The proposed amendment is intended to improve consistency in the interpretation and application of accreditation requirements for electrical trade schools and educational programs. The amendment will reduce ambiguity in the review of applications and promote more uniform evaluation of educational providers under Title 58, Chapter 55. In addition, it will enhance transparency for applicants and educational institutions and support the consistent administration of licensing prerequisites. Section R156-55b-302a identifies the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the organization responsible for evaluating and recognizing accrediting agencies that satisfy established standards of academic quality and institutional effectiveness. 5. Fiscal Information Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

The proposed amendment eliminates existing ambiguities relating to the Division of Professional Licensing's (Division) recognition of in-state trade programs accredited by private institutions rather than the state government's accrediting body. UTAH STATE BULLETIN, September 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 18 47 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES The amendment clarifies that privately accredited in-state institutions are treated identically to out-of-state institutions that are privately accredited. Consequently, because the proposed amendment merely clarifies ambiguous language in the existing rule, the Division does not anticipate that the proposed amendments will have any fiscal impact on state government revenues or expenditures.

B. Local governments:

The proposed amendment eliminates existing ambiguities relating to the Division's recognition of in-state trade programs accredited by private institutions rather than the state government's accrediting body. The amendment clarifies that privately accredited in-state institutions are treated identically to out-of-state institutions that are privately accredited. Consequently, because the proposed amendment merely clarifies ambiguous language in the existing rule and does not impose any requirements on local government entities, the Division believes there will be no fiscal impact on local governments.

C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):

The proposed amendment eliminates existing ambiguities relating to the Division's recognition of in-state trade programs accredited by private institutions rather than the state government's accrediting body. The amendment clarifies that privately accredited in-state institutions are treated identically to out-of-state institutions that are privately accredited. Consequently, because the proposed amendment merely clarifies ambiguous language in the existing rule and does not impose any requirements on small businesses, the Division believes there will be no fiscal impact on small businesses.

D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):

The proposed amendment eliminates existing ambiguities relating to the Division's recognition of in-state trade programs accredited by private institutions rather than the state government's accrediting body. The amendment clarifies that privately accredited in-state institutions are treated identically to out-of-state institutions that are privately accredited. Consequently, because the proposed amendment merely clarifies ambiguous language in the existing rule and does not impose any requirements on non-small businesses, the Division believes there will be no fiscal impact on non-small businesses. E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency): The proposed amendment eliminates existing ambiguities relating to the Division's recognition of in-state trade programs accredited by private institutions rather than the state government's accrediting body. The amendment clarifies that privately accredited in-state institutions are treated identically to out-of-state institutions that are privately accredited. Consequently, because the proposed amendment merely clarifies ambiguous language in the existing rule and does not impose any requirements on persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities, the Division believes there will be no fiscal impact on persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

The proposed amendment eliminates existing ambiguities relating to the Division's recognition of in-state trade programs accredited by private institutions rather than the state government's accrediting body. The amendment clarifies that privately accredited in-state institutions are treated identically to out-of-state institutions that are privately accredited. 48 UTAH STATE BULLETIN, September 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 18 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES Consequently, because the proposed amendment merely clarifies ambiguous language in the existing rule there will be no fiscal impact on affected persons. 6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable." Fiscal Cost FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 FY2031 State Budget $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Governments $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Non-Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Other Persons $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Fiscal Cost $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Fiscal Benefits FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 FY2031 State Budget $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Governments $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Non-Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Other Persons $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Fiscal Benefits $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Net Fiscal Benefits $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval The Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Margaret Busse, has reviewed and approved this regulatory impact analysis. 8. Family Impact Information

A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and fo☒mation:

9. Citation Information Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement: Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) Subsection 58-1-202(1)(a) Subsection 58-55-308(1) 11. Public Notice Information The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.

A. Comments will be accepted until: 10/15/2026

B. A public hearing (optional) will be held (The public may request a hearing by submitting a written request to the agency, as outlined in Section 63G-3-302 and Rule R15-1.): Date: Time: Place (physical address or URL): 09/25/2026 3:00 PM Commerce, Professional Licensing Room 402 Heber M Wells Building 160 E 300 S Salt Lake City, UT Google Meet joining info: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ses-wdrb-ory Or dial: (US) +1 567-250-1270 PIN: 927 410 625# UTAH STATE BULLETIN, September 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 18 49 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ses-wdrb-ory? pin=9427853982146 12. Effective Date Information This rule change MAY become effective on: 10/22/2026 (NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date) 13. Agency Authorization Information Agency head or Adam Watson, Assistant Division Date: 08/06/2026 designee and title: Director R156. Commerce, Professional Licensing. R156-55b. Electricians LicensingAct Rule. R156-55b-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education and Experience Requirements. The education and experience requirements for licensure in Subsection 58-55-302(3) are defined, clarified, or established as follows: (1) Master Electrician: (a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(f)(i) shall: (i) hold a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering from an electrical program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET); and (ii) have at least 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensedApprentice Electrician. (b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(f)(ii) shall: (i) hold an associate's degree in applied science from an electrical trade school course of study that meets the requirements of Subsection (5); and (ii) have at least 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician. (c) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(f)(iii) shall have at least 8,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician. (2) Residential Master Electrician: (a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(g)(i) shall have at least 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Residential Journeyman Electrician. (b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(g)(ii) shall: (i) hold a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering from an electrical program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET); and (ii) have at least 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensedApprentice Electrician. (3) Journeyman Electrician: (a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(h)(i) shall: (i) have completed a training program of electrical study: (A) of at least 576 total hours in a program meeting the requirements of Subsection (5); and (B) the total hours listed in Subsection R156-55b-302(3)(a)(i)(A) must be completed in no less than 48 months; and (ii) have at least 8,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensedApprentice Electrician. (b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(h)(ii) shall have at least 16,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician. (4) Residential Journeyman Electrician: (a) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(i)(i) shall: (i) have completed a training program of electrical study: (A) of at least 288 total hours in a program meeting the requirements of Subsection (5); and (B) the total hours listed in Subsection R156-55b-302(4)(a)(i)(A) must be completed in no less than 24 months; and (ii) have at least 4,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensedApprentice Electrician. (b) An applicant under Subsection 58-55-302(3)(i)(ii) shall have at least 8,000 hours of full-time work experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician. (5) Under Subsection 58-1-203(1)(a) and Subsections 58-55-302(3)(f), (3)(h), and (3)(i), an electrical trade school "course of study" and the planned electrical "training program" approved by the Division, mean a program of electrical study that: (a) includes measures of competency and achievement level for each student; (b) is[ approved by the]: (i) accredited by Utah Board of Higher Education[ if the program is based in Utah];[ or] (ii) accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the Council for Higher EducationAccreditation (CHEA); or (iii) approved by the Division in collaboration with the Electricians Licensing Board if the program is based outside of Utah.[; and] [(iii)](c) is listed on the Division's website, dopl.utah.gov/el. (6) On the job training and instruction shall include measurements of the apprentice's performance in the electrical trade. (7) Up to 3,000 hours of work experience may be credited for each 12 month period. 50 UTAH STATE BULLETIN, September 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 18 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES (8) As used in Subsection 58-55-302(3) and this rule, the terms "practical electrical experience", "practical experience", "full-time training", and "full-time experience" mean electrical work experience lawfully performed preceding the date of application. KEY: occupational licensing, licensing, contractors, electricians Date of Last Change: [August 1, 2025]2026 Notice of Continuation: May 26, 2026 Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a); 58-55-308(1) NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE TYPE OF FILING: Amendment Filing ID: 58207