All Roll Calls
Yes: 196 • No: 9
ColoradoSB25-1652025 Regular SessionSenate
Licensure of Electricians
Sponsored By: Byron Pelton (Republican), Dan Woog (Republican), Lindsey Daugherty (Democratic), William Lindstedt (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Labor & EmploymentProfessions & Occupations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Solar workers gain electrical license credit
Journeyman and residential wireman applicants can substitute qualifying academic training or practical experience for some required work experience. Military and solar installation training can qualify; the board decides whether to accept training that does not independently qualify. One solar pathway recognizes 2,000 hours as a NABCEP-certified solar installation professional working for or as a solar installer. Another covers up to 2,000 supervised work hours, with employment proof and the supervising professional's affidavit. A third covers up to 4,000 professional work hours with records such as payroll or project descriptions, and board review beyond 2,000 hours. In the second and third pathways, two work hours count as one license-experience hour.
License paths for Colorado electrical workers
Journeyman applicants need 8,000 qualifying work hours over at least four years, including 2,000 commercial or industrial hours over at least two years. Substantially similar work also meets that 2,000-hour requirement. Applicants also need 288 hours of safety, electrical code, and board-required training during their last eight years of training or experience. The board may accept earlier coursework with four extra hours on the current or immediately previous electrical code or board standards. Residential wireman applicants need two years of accredited training or 4,000 work hours over at least two years wiring one- through four-family homes.
Smaller solar projects require qualified installers
Only electrical contractors or qualifying solar installers may perform or offer covered work on systems under 300 kilowatts of direct-current design capacity. Solar installers qualify through this route only if they are not registered electrical contractors and are state-registered businesses in good standing. They must have performed solar electrical work as of September 1, 2025, employ a NABCEP-certified installation professional, and register by December 31, 2026. Covered electrical, panel, and mounting work requires on-site supervision by a certified solar practitioner employed by an installer, or a licensed master electrician, journeyman, or residential wireman. The board can regulate these installers and covered smaller-system work; supervising installers must stay within their skills.
Some electrical work credit becomes discretionary
The State Electrical Board can deny license credit for work that did not legally require a licensed electrician's supervision. Applicants must show that their experience or supervision was adequate. Even with that proof, the board may grant credit but is no longer required to do so.
Solar businesses face registration and fees
Covered solar contractors operating as of September 1, 2025, with at least one NABCEP-certified employee must register by December 31, 2026. A 60-day registration grace period applies. The State Electrical Board must charge a registration fee, but the law does not state its amount. Contractors must name one or more agents. If none of those agents remains affiliated with the business, its registration becomes invalid and cannot be reinstated.
Electrical safety rules cover solar projects
Colorado's electrical rules cover utility power and specified renewable-energy and electric-car charging circuits used in real-estate improvements. These circuits must fall under the National Electrical Code; its communications chapter is excluded. Covered solar electrical work includes work regulated by that code. For solar installations of at least 300 kilowatts, licensed master electricians, journeymen, residential wiremen, or properly supervised apprentices must perform covered work. This includes panel connections and grounding, related system wiring, and the customer-side grid connection, all subject to state law and board rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Byron Pelton
Republican • Senate
Dan Woog
Republican • House
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Ryan Gonzalez
Republican • House
John Carson
Republican • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/7/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 59 • No: 6
Senate vote • 5/7/2025
House amendments: Concur
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/7/2025
House amendments: Repass
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 5/5/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-165 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 9 • No: 1
House vote • 5/1/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-165, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-165 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 5 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-165, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
6/3/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/14/2025SenateSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/14/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/14/2025HouseHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/7/2025HouseSenate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
5/7/2025SenateHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
5/6/2025HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
5/5/2025HouseHouse Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations
5/1/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/30/2025SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to Finance
4/30/2025HouseSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/29/2025SenateSenate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
4/29/2025SenateSenate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Amended to Appropriations
4/17/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology
2/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Signed Act