— Rule Change to be Discussed Wednesday —
A controversial change to a state regulation could threaten hundreds of jobs and lead to significant delays and increased costs for thousands of Delaware homeowners and businesses.
The proposed rule, originally published on Page 100 of the August 2025 issue of the state’s Register of Regulations, would require any contractor installing a low-voltage system to have the work performed by a licensed electrician.
Low-voltage wiring—typically under 50 volts—is used in a wide range of applications, including telephone systems, sound systems, cable television, closed-circuit video systems, satellite dish antennas, instrumentation and temperature controls, landscape lighting, networking, communication systems, and security systems. These systems are also low amperage, with little to no risk of causing a shock or fire hazard.
Under current Delaware regulations, low-voltage system installations are typically performed by trained technicians—a practice that has been in place for decades. The proposed rule change would mandate the use of licensed electricians to do the work.
The regulatory change was scheduled for discussion at the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners’ meeting last September, but the event was canceled, and consideration of the issue was postponed. The board is now scheduled to discuss it, under “unfinished business,” during its meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
To access the agenda and details on how to attend the meeting or participate off-site, click here.
Commenting on the proposal last August, Charles Williams, owner of Creation Audio, emphasized that all of his company’s work, from audio systems to networking and Wi-Fi, is low voltage. “If this change were to take effect, I would be completely unable to do everything I do day-to-day. In practice, we’d cease to exist.”
Mr. Williams also noted the broader impact the regulation could have. “Theoretically, Mediacom (cable TV) would not be able to run a cable from the pole to the house. That’s low voltage. HVAC companies wouldn’t be able to run a wire for a thermostat. That’s low voltage, too. There is no justification for this.”
According to the public notice originally posted with the proposed change, the low-voltage work that was “previously exempted from licensure is now included within the National Electrical Code. Thus, individuals performing the work described in the existing subsection must be licensed and are no longer eligible to be exempt.”
However, critics note that the National Electrical Code (NEC) is not federal law, but rather a model code developed by the private organization, the National Fire Protection Association. States and local jurisdictions have significant discretion in adopting, modifying, and enforcing these standards. In fact, it is this flexibility that creates a patchwork of electrical codes across the country, where neighboring jurisdictions, including municipalities in the same state, may operate under different versions of the code.
This is not the first time Delaware regulators have attempted to grant licensed electricians exclusive responsibility over low-voltage systems. According to Kevin Short, owner and general manager of Mid South Audio, a similar effort was made in the late 1990s. After strong opposition at public meetings, the proposal was withdrawn. “That’s when the low-voltage exclusion was placed in the regulations,” he said.
Licensed electricians who specialize in installing, maintaining, and modifying power distribution systems may not be well-suited to low-voltage work. “It’s two separate jobs,” Mr. Short said. “They have a skillset and so do we, but the two don’t overlap.”
Associated Builders and Contractors, Delaware Chapter (ABC Delaware), has also expressed strong opposition to the proposal.
In a mid-August letter to the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners, ABC Delaware President Jennifer Cohan warned of the potential fallout. “Low-voltage work is integral to technology infrastructure, security, and communications across our schools, hospitals, small businesses, and government agencies. Disrupting this workforce will delay projects, raise costs, and reduce competitiveness,” she wrote.
“I am not aware of any state in the nation that requires a licensed electrician to install a doorbell, thermostat, or any other low-voltage device,” said State House Minority Leader Tim Dukes (R-Laurel), who learned about the issue through a constituent. “This is an example of regulatory overreach that would eventually harm every household and business by unnecessarily imposing higher costs.”
