Okay, I understand your concerns. It's wise to be proactive and understand the potential risks associated with being a Licensee of Record, especially with a larger company where you might not have direct oversight of every job.

Disclaimer

I am an AI chatbot and cannot provide legal advice. This information is for educational purposes only, and you should consult with an attorney specializing in Massachusetts electrical licensing law for definitive answers and personalized guidance. That being said, I can offer some general insights based on my knowledge of the Massachusetts electrical licensing system and common practices:

Key Considerations & Potential Risks to Your Licenses


Your Contract

You mentioned you have a strong contract. This is crucial. Your contract should clearly define your responsibilities, limitations, and protections as the Licensee of Record. It should also outline the company's obligations to provide you with accurate information, proper oversight, and adherence to all relevant laws and regulations. Get this reviewed periodically to ensure it is in line with current licensing laws.2.

Direct Supervision & Control

The core issue revolves around your level of direct supervision and control. As the Licensee of Record, you are ultimately responsible for the electrical work performed under your license. However, the degree of your responsibility and potential liability depends on how the MA Board of State Examiners of Electricians views your role.

Scenario 1: Actual Direct Supervision

If you are actively involved in the day-to-day operations, review plans, directly supervise work, and ensure code compliance on all or most projects, the Board is more likely to hold you accountable for any violations.

Scenario 2: Limited Supervision (License of Record Only)

If your role is primarily administrative (e.g., ensuring the company has a licensed individual, signing off on permits but not actively supervising), your exposure might be less. However, you still bear a responsibility to ensure the company has adequate procedures in place to maintain compliance.3.

Specific Violations & Board Action

The severity of the violation will dictate the Board's response.

Minor Infractions (e.g., isolated out-of-ratio situations)

The Board might issue warnings, fines, or require additional continuing education. Your Master Electrician license is the most likely to be targeted in these situations. Your Journeyman license would likely be safe as long as you were not actively participating in the violation.

Serious Violations (e.g., gross negligence, repeated code violations, unlicensed work, endangering public safety)

This is where things get much more serious. The Board has the power to suspend or revoke any of your licenses (Master, Journeyman, potentially others). This could happen if the Board finds you: Were directly involved in the violation. Knew about the violation and failed to take corrective action. Demonstrated a pattern of negligence or incompetence. Failed to adequately supervise work performed under your license. Falsified documents or misrepresented information to the Board.4.

"Aiding and Abetting" Unlicensed Activity

If the company knowingly uses unlicensed individuals to perform electrical work, and you, as the Licensee of Record, are aware of this and do nothing to stop it, you could be charged with "aiding and abetting" unlicensed activity. This is a serious offense and could jeopardize all of your licenses.5.

"Willful Misconduct or Gross Negligence:" This is the worst-case scenario. If the Board determines that your actions or inactions were intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent, they are more likely to impose severe penalties, including revocation of all licenses.

Answers to Your Specific Questions (with strong caveats)



"If the company is caught out of ratio or maybe something worse (hopefully will never happen) is there any reason my journeyman license would be at risk?" Potentially, yes. If the Board believes you knew about the out-of-ratio situation and allowed it to continue, or if the violation was severe enough to demonstrate a lack of competence or negligence on your part, your Journeyman license could be at risk. "If the worst case happens can they only take my Masters away? Allowing me to continue my career as a worker at a different company? Or would all my licenses be revoked and im left to live in a box?" It depends on the severity of the violation and the Board's findings. The best case (but still bad) is that they only suspend or revoke your Master Electrician license, allowing you to work under your Journeyman license. However, the Board can revoke all of your licenses if they determine your conduct warrants it. The "living in a box" scenario is unlikely for a single incident unless it results in serious bodily harm or death due to negligence on your part.

Recommendations



Consult with an Attorney

This is paramount. An attorney specializing in Massachusetts electrical licensing law can review your contract, assess your potential risks, and provide tailored advice.

Strengthen Internal Controls

Work with the company to implement robust procedures to ensure code compliance, proper staffing ratios, and accurate record-keeping. Document everything.

Maintain Vigilance

Be proactive in monitoring projects, addressing potential issues, and documenting your efforts to maintain compliance. Don't just be a name on a permit.

Communicate with the Board (Cautiously)

While you've already tried contacting them, consider a more targeted approach. Instead of broad inquiries, present specific hypothetical scenarios (without identifying your company) and ask for clarification on the Board's interpretation of the regulations. Consult with your attorney before any communication with the Board.



Review Insurance

Ensure the company has adequate liability insurance that covers you as the Licensee of Record.

Consider Resigning if Necessary

If you are consistently uncomfortable with the company's practices or believe they are putting your licenses at risk, consider resigning as the Licensee of Record.

In summary,* your Journeyman license is not automatically safe. The extent of its risk depends on your level of involvement, the severity of the violations, and the Board's assessment of your conduct. A proactive approach, strong internal controls, and expert legal advice are essential to protect your licenses and your career. Flag for review