Peggy L CarltonAs an electrical license holder, continuing education (CE) is a major requirement for retaining licensure, guaranteeing public safety, staying updated on the latest trends, and offering top-quality services. In Utah, like most other states in the U.S., electricians have to take continuing education classes as mandated by the state’s licensing board.
Here are some of the best practices to ensure your continuing education efforts are effective and beneficial:
Study and Understand All Requirements
There’s no point in taking courses that aren’t approved by the state’s licensing board since doing so will likely cause a delay or total rejection of your renewal application. That’s why you should study and understand the specific requirements set by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) before you start any continuing education classes.
All electricians (residential journeyman, journeyman, master, and residential master electricians), have to complete 16 hours of CE every two years. 12 of the 16 hours have to be earned from core courses. Of the 12 hours, 8 have to be on the National Electrical Code (NEC), and 4 on NFPA 70E (safety) topics. The 4 hours that remain can be gained from other courses approved by the DOPL.
Choose the Right Providers
Not all CE courses are created equal. Purchasing your Utah Electrical Continuing Education classes from a state-recognized provider like RocketCert is the easiest way to meet your CE requirements without second-guessing. That’s because your course topics will be created and compiled by experts in the field.
Besides, accredited providers have to adhere to high standards of education, ensuring that the courses they provide have all relevant topics, are up-to-date, and are beneficial to professional development.
Schedule Early
Since you know you should have completed 16 hours of CE within the 2 years when your license is valid; it’s advisable to plan your study schedule as early as you can to avoid freaking out at the last minute. Planning your CE time early enough allows you to spread out the topics so you take them at the most comfortable pace and still leave enough time for unprecedented events.
The earlier you get started, the more likely it will be to understand whatever you’re studying and apply it at work.
Engage Actively
If you ever have to take a course that requires one-on-one sessions, that should be your time to participate as much as you can. Since active participation enhances learning and retention, you will want to take notes, engage in discussions, and ask questions where the information isn’t clear enough. Practical application of what you learn during the course will also come in handy to help reinforce the material.
You may also want to seek feedback from your peers or tutors after completing a course. By understanding how the new knowledge will impact your work, you can easily identify areas that may benefit from further improvement and additional CE courses.
Utilize Online Resources and Other Information Sources
Online continuing education courses are the go-to option for learners who seek flexibility and convenience. Not only that, but they are also ideal if you want to look up important information every once in a while.
Since most course providers will give you lifetime access to the courses you purchase, it’s best to opt for online courses. Additionally, online courses will be easier to complete at your own pace, and you’ll need this flexibility to balance your classes with work and personal commitments.
Also, try to use other sources of information, such as the materials published in any electrician association’s platform that you may have joined. You’ll learn about updates to codes and new techniques early enough to prepare for the changes that may affect how you do your work.
Continuing Education You Can Rely On
Now that you know how to get the most out of your CE classes, it’s time to go out there and select the best courses so you get started while you still have enough time to spare. If you’re looking for expert-created courses with narrations that make them easy to comprehend, RocketCert should be among your top choices.
Thanks to the devotion of excellent tutors who take their time so often to improve these courses and update them to meet the most recent requirements, you should have an easy time earning the required CE hours.
