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Electrical Minor Label Program Information

Who may buy minor labels
Scope of work allowed
Electrical minor label Q and A
Electrical minor label Q and A: Installations

 

Who may buy electrical minor labels?

The following electrical contractors may buy electrical minor labels:

  • An electrical contractor employing a properly licensed general supervising electrician.

  • A limited maintenance specialty contractor or a limited maintenance specialty contractor-HVAC/R.

  • A restricted energy contractor.

  • A limited renewable energy contractor.

  • A limited pump installation specialty contractor.

  • A limited energy contractor.

  • A registered telecommunications service provider.

Who may use electrical minor labels?

The following licensees may use minor labels for an installation:

  • Electrical contractor with supervisor.

  • Limited maintenance specialty contractor .

  • Limited maintenance specialty contractor/HVAC/R.

  • Restricted energy contractor, limited energy contractor, registered telecommunications provider with an appropriately licensed person if required.

  • Limited renewable energy contractor with journey level or limited energy technician.

  • Limited pump installation specialty contractor.

 
When may an electrical minor label be used?

An electrical minor label may be used on a job site with existing permits if the work is within the scope of work permitted by the minor label rules and is done by a contractor who does not have an existing electrical permit for that job site.

A contractor may use only one minor label per project at a job site . Job site is defined as the address of the home, apartment or commercial building

 
What kind of work may a contractor perform with an electrical minor label?
 
Contractors are allowed to perform a number of installations, but contractors may not use a minor label to perform any installations that are outside the scope of their licenses. The chart below outlines the different installations contractors are allowed to make within the scope of their licenses.
Type of Work
Electrical Contractor with Supervisor
Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor

Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor HVAC/R
Restricted Energy Contractor

Limited Energy Contractor

Registered Telecom-munications Service Provider
Limited Renewable Energy Contractor
Limited Pump Installation Specialty Contractor
Extension of not more than two existing branch electrical circuits limited to 30 amps each and, if relevant, connection of appliance.
Yes
No
No
No
No
 
Installation of one new electrical circuit limited to 30 amps and, if relevant, connection of a related appliance.
Yes
No
No
No
No
 
Repair or replacement of damaged components of existing electrical equipment including services not to exceed 200 amps, provided a reconnect is not required by the serving utility. For reconnects, see OAR 918-309-0040(10) for services; and
Yes
No
No
No
No

The single installation of the appliances, repair or replacement activities listed below.
Replacement of multiple switches, circuit breakers, receptacles, light fixtures, smoke detectors, or GFCI or AFCI circuit breakers and receptacles of 15-20 amp, 125-volt in a dwelling unit.
Yes
No
No
No
No
 
Repair or replacement of a furnace, oil or gas not to exceed 20 amperes at 120/240 volts.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
 
Repair or replacement of a fan that is part of an HVAC system, not to exceed 20 amperes at 120/240 volts.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
 
Repair or replacement of a dishwasher or garbage disposal not to exceed 20 amperes at 120/240 volts.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
 
Repair or replacement of a water heater with an electrical circuit not to exceed 30 amperes at 120/240 volts.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
 
Repair or replacement of an electrical furnace, air conditioning unit or refrigeration unit not to exceed 120/240 volts.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
 
A defective ballast, or up to five ballasts under one label. (For more than five ballasts, inspections shall be performed as a branch circuit permit or hourly rate authorized under OAR 918-309-0070(8.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
 
Repair and maintenance of renewable electrical energy systems.
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
 
Repair, replacement and maintenance of installed pump or irrigation systems for the same horsepower and voltage.
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
 
Installation, repair and replacement in new or existing construction of one-and two family dwellings, of HVAC, telephone, garage door, vacuum systems, door bells, burglar, fire alarm and security systems, and audio/stereo systems not exceeding 100 volt-amperes, in Class 2 or 3 installations.
Yes
Yes
(within the scope of the license)
Yes
(within the scope of the license)
No
No
 
Installation, repair and replacement of installations not exceeding 100 volt-amperes in Class 2 or 3 installations in one and two family dwellings
Yes
Yes
(within the scope of the license)
Yes
(within the scope of the license)
No
No
 
Installation, repair and replacement of up to 5 devices under one label for the following installations not exceeding 100 volt-amperes in Class 2 or 3 installations in other existing buildings, provided:
The equipment is not located in an area classified as hazardous, as described in Chapter 5 of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in OAR 918-305-0100;
(B) The system does not penetrate any fire protection system(s) or air-handling space(s), as defined in the currently adopted Oregon Electrical Specialty Code; and
The installation is limited to the following:
  • Thermostats;
  • Data communication devices;
  • Intercom, music and paging devices;
  • Door or gate control, monitor or access devices;
  • Cable television and closed circuit television devices;
(vi) Burglar, security and fire alarm devices, including "Power Limited Fire Alarm Circuits" as defined in Article 760 of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in OAR 918-305-0100; or (vii) Notwithstanding the 5 devices in subsection (3)(b) of this rule, central vacuum clean control devices, one label per system
Yes
Yes
(within the scope of the license)
Yes
(within the scope of the license)
No
No
 
Electrical Minor Label Q and A

Q: What is the scope of work a contractor is allowed to perform with an electrical minor label?

A: Contractors are allowed to perform a number of installations, but contractors may not use a minor label to perform any installations that are outside the scope of their licenses.

 

Q: What if a minor label has already been used on a job site?

A: The rules allow one electrical minor label per project per job site, so if minor labels have been posted for previous projects or a current plumbing minor label is posted for the same remodel you are working on, you may use an electrical minor label for your installation.

 

Q: When do I post the label, before or after beginning work?

A: You must post the label on the electrical service panel before the work begins. If a panel is not yet available, you may post the label on the installation.

 

Q: Are all minor label installations inspected?

A: No. Only one out of 10 installations is inspected. The Division randomly selects one of the installations and submits a request to the corresponding jurisdiction to conduct the inspection.

 

Q: What happens if an inspection fails?

A: Failing a minor label is very expensive! If an inspection fails, the Division allows the contractor 10 calendar days to dispute the inspection report by notifying the Division. The contractor pays the jurisdiction directly at its hourly inspection rate for reinspection. The Division then selects another label from the same lot of 10 to be inspected and the contractor pays the jurisdiction directly at a rate of $75. If three inspections from the same lot of labels fail, the contractor must take out full permits for all the remaining installations in that lot.
 
Oregon Electrical Minor Label Rules

918-100-0000
Administration of the Oregon Minor Label Program
(Includes Issuance of Permits and Inspection Procedures).

918-309-0210
Electrical Minor Labels
(Includes Use, Scope of Work Allowed and Inspections).