Program Overview
Competence in electrical work is more than a trade qualification. It is the combination of technical knowledge, practical skill, experience and the ability to recognize hazards and avoid them. Regulations and standards, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.331 to 1910.335 and NFPA 70E, depend on this concept of a qualified or competent person, and employers must be able to demonstrate it.
This program defines the role of the Competent Electrical Person and builds the core skills behind it. Participants learn what competency means in law and in practice, what responsibilities come with inspection and supervision, and how to use and verify test instruments. They also develop fluency with drawings, schematics and circuits, so they can plan work and isolate equipment with confidence. The program forms the first step in the ASEEE electrical authorization pathway, followed by Authorized and Senior Authorized Electrical Person.
Learning Outcomes
- Define electrical competency and the attributes of a qualified or competent person under OSHA and NFPA 70E
- Describe the responsibilities of a Competent Electrical Person in inspection and supervision
- Identify electrical hazards and select control measures, including safe isolation
- Select, prove and use voltage indicators, insulation testers and multifunction testers correctly
- Interpret electrical drawings, schematics and circuits to plan and verify work
- Record inspection and test results in a clear, auditable format
Program Modules
- Introduction to Competency in Electrical Work — knowledge, skill, experience and hazard awareness as the basis of competence
- Role of a Competent Electrical Person — duties, limits of authority and relationship to authorized persons
- Importance and Benefits of Electrical Competency — incident prevention, legal compliance and reliability outcomes
- Responsibilities in Electrical Inspection and Supervision — inspection planning, supervising others and stopping unsafe work
- Use and Verification of Electrical Test Instruments — prove-test-prove, instrument categories and calibration status
- Electrical Drawings, Schematics and Circuits — reading single-line, schematic and wiring diagrams to plan isolation and testing
Who Should Attend
- Electricians and electrical technicians
- Maintenance technicians who perform electrical tasks
- Junior electrical engineers
- Facility and contractor supervisors overseeing electrical work
- Candidates entering the ASEEE authorization pathway
Standards & Codes Referenced
- NFPA 70E
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.331–335
- IEC 60364
- BS 7671
Assessment & Certification
Assessment combines a written examination on electrical competency, hazards, test instruments and drawing interpretation with a practical assessment in which each participant demonstrates safe isolation, proves a voltage indicator and performs basic inspection and testing on a training board. Practical sessions take place at ASEEE-approved training centers, using calibrated equipment and realistic work scenarios under the supervision of a qualified assessor.
Participants who meet the competency criteria receive an ASEEE competency certificate carrying a unique certificate ID that employers and clients can verify online through Certificate Check. ASEEE recommends recertification every 3 years to keep skills aligned with current practice and revised standards.
