I work for a decent sized company that wants to use my low voltage license to pull permits. The license they were using belongs to a guy who is no longer employed with us. Im a little reluctant to let them use it in fear of me not being able to supervise the jobs that are using my license. We have some green installers that I dont really put my stamp of approval on. My question is what if they use my license and burn down a house will I be held responsible for this or will the company be the ones responsible? Besides that what if I lose my license and I leave the company, how long do I have to wait to get it back? I dont plan on leaving this company being that I have a good relationship with them but am a little concerned about my well being in the long run!

Check with the state office.

Absolutely NOT. Do not let them use your license. I am surprised that when this other guy left that they did not have licensing in place. One or more of the principals of the company should be carrying a license.
If anything should happen on a job site, you will be held liable. Besides, your name on the license does not match the company name on the insurance certificate.
You worked hard to obtain this license for yourself, treat it with respect.

If they really want to use your license, tell them you want a percentage of ownership being that you are sticking you chestnuts over the fire.

My $.02

Actually it's pretty common for a company to use an outside agent to "license" the company.

But, for an employee to do such would be rather different to be sure.

TSS has a good point, certainly not my point.
One of my builders had a plumber that used to have a partner who carried the license. He broke apart from his partner and screwed up a house. Tried to pass the blame on his partner and got caught. He is now blacklisted in our county and cannot do anymore houses until he gets a license. He is pissed, but it is his fault. He claims he could never pass the exam because he does not take tests well. Too bad. You snooze, you lose.

So if something does happen to where you lose your license. Are you restricted to ever hold a license again, banned for a period of time or does it depend on the circumstances. I know I should call my state office and I will, but just wanted others opinions before I jump head first into this bee's nest. How much liability am I accountable for with being a license holder. If my company has a contract with a customer and something goes south. Do they go after the permit holder or the person associated with the contract or even both?

A question in the back of my mind. When you were hired, did the question of you and your license come up? If this company is as big as you say it is, then they should have a principal owner that has a license. I am a one man shop (most of the time) and I would have never started a business that I could not obtain licensing for it. Put the responsibility back on the owners.
What did they do for licensing in the interim between the guy that left and your arrival.

1 year ago and no they never inquired about using my license

I respect the owner a good bit on his ability to run the business side of things but when it comes to the technical side hes out of his comfort zone and depends on his employees to pull him through.

They always had someone that had a license that didnt mind letting them use it. I dont really mind I just want to make sure that I understand my association with F-ups on jobs Im not able to oversee and give my approval on. I know that inspectors are suppose to be QC but there are alot of things outside of the final inspection that can bite you in the ass!

All excellent points.

I respect the owner a good bit on his ability to run the business side of things but when it comes to the technical side hes out of his comfort zone and depends on his employees to pull him through.

Still the company SHOULD have their own license. Not use yours. I would never dream of asking anybody if I can use their license.

I had a partner who did a mediorce job on the business end of things but could not tell the difference between a beanie and a Toslink cable. Notice the past tense of "had".

Lets say I wanted to borrow your car and I wrecked it. Your insurance company would pay for the damage and then drop you. Now you are left holding your %*#$ in your hand. What are you gonna do?

In Florida your license can be applied to multiple businesses. You are completely responsible for the conduct of the business not just permits. You are responsible for workers comp liability and even financial obligations when it comes to DBPR. This is all well and good if you are getting PAID properly. I guess I need to look into Georgia since my license will be reciprocal with them soon. Never been asked for a permit in Ga. I guess it is a county thing. Anyone know what counties require a permit in Ga. ?
I only know of Dade Broward and Taylor in Fl. Anyone know of any others?

In Hawaii, it's your butt on the line if the organization screws up.

Make sure you're compensated properly...

If you went to the trouble to get a license, then you obviously were thinking of engaging in a business for yourself.

It seems you now have that opportunity. I wouldn't hold the owner hostage since he needs you, but you have serious leverage to to garner some principle in the organization, as well as have a larger say in what goes down in the company. This is your chance. Don't push too hard, but remember; it's business. Be a good businessman. Make a shrewd move.

It is not uncommon to hire an outside person for their license, but you need to make sure that the company has insurance to cover them and you. You shouldn't have to pay for this coverage. You should also be compensated for the use of the license as this is not part of your job. If someone burnt a house down, you wouldn't usually loose your license, but you sure would need insurance and you should be covered.

I'm thinking that maybe you should consider negotiating with the current company owner.

If you chose to go this route of "qualifying" the company with your license, then you should become a "principal" of the company.

Definitely look into getting a lawyer to help lay out your side of a contract.

All of this comes down to trying to figure out an issue involving a state agency. On the weekend.

Come Monday:


In California, a person with a license can be an RME, which is a responsible managing employee (if I remember the term properly), meaning that there is a defined relationship between the licenseholder and the business having to do with how and when the licenseholder supervises, what his options are if he says "it can't be done that way" but the owner says "do it that way anyhow," and other issues. It is to be expected that a person is paid specifically because of lending, or rather more correctly leasing, his license number to the company. The state agency will have a description of this relationship, if it exists in your state. I say that last thing because I just took three minutes to go to www.ga.gov and look for contracting information, and could not find anything about such a business relationship.

Call first thing Monday.

You're right Ernie, it is Responsible Managing Employee.

He should ge a little interest in the company for his risk.