By Dan O'Donnell, Chief
Electrical Division
Reprinted from Code Works! Fall 2010 newsletter from the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes

Effective September 1, 2010, the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Electrical Division, implemented the statutory requirements set forth in 1956 PA 217, the Electrical Administrative Act. MCL 338.883e (1) and (2) and MCL 338.883h (1) and (2) of PA 217 requires apprentice electricians and fire alarm specialty technician apprentices in the state of Michigan to be participating in a training program approved by the Electrical Administrative Board (EAB) and implemented by BCC, Electrical Division.

The EAB authorized the US Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (USDOL-OA) to be the approving agency for training programs throughout Michigan in conjunction with the statutory requirement as they have a long history of experience in the apprenticeship arena across many different disciplines. Electrical and fire alarm contractors and the apprentices they employ must register with the USDOL-OA and set up their individual apprentice training programs.

Effective September 1, 2010 all electrical apprentices in the State of Michigan are required to be participating in an electrical training program approved by the Electrical Administrative Board (EAB). 

On February 6th, 2009 the EAB approved the Bureau of Construction Codes Electrical Division recommendation to utilize the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (USDOL-OA) for the registration of all approved electrical training programs.

Initially the two main requirements are:

1. Electrical contractors that currently employ or anticipate the employment of electrical apprentices must register their companies with the USDOL-OA.
2. Once an employer has registered with the USDOL-OA they can set up their apprenticeship training program with the USDOL-OA and register the apprentices under their employment.