Electrical Certification Delays Causing Issues
Plan ahead when dealing with DIR
By Veronica Martinez
Due to a high volume of applications and limited staffing with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), it is taking approximately nine to 12 weeks to review and process all applications and certifications renewals (including newly turned-out apprentices). If your certification expires, you are not certified until the DIR completely processes your application and formally posts your certification.
It is recommended that you submit your application at least six months prior to your expiration date to allow for processing time and your ability to respond should the DIR request additional information or you receive a defect letter. This may require that you take continued education courses earlier than anticipated, so plan accordingly.
We also recommend that you send a personal check as its cashing provides you with proof that your application is in process and in the queue. Only provide a money order if you can track when it was cashed. Note that your check cashing date will not determine where you are in the queue and you should anticipate that the processing will take nine to 12 weeks from the submission of your application date, if submitted correctly.
The DIR has also published the following guidance on their website:
If you have received a defect letter requesting additional information, please provide a copy of that letter, driver’s license or identification card number, and a brief description of your situation. If your submission doesn’t require payment and you’ve reached the 12-week review time without a response, please reply with your detailed inquiry and driver’s license or identification card number. Your inquiry will be reviewed in the order it’s received. Please do not send multiple emails as it delays our ability to process applications.
As a recap:
1) send your application at least six months in advance
2) pay with a check (if applicable)
3) monitor your email/mail for updates
4) anticipate that it is a 12-week process
5) continue to check your certification status at dir.ca.gov/DLSE/ECU/ElectCert/ElectCertSearch.asp
Finally, if you have not received a response from the DIR 12 weeks after your submission date, please notify Veronica Martinez at martinez@ibew11.org and provide your full name, application submission date, proof of payment, certification number (if applicable) and driver’s license number.
