Mechanical Inspection Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What trade certificates does the Mechanical Inspection section issue?
A: Mechanical Inspection issues certificates of fitness for the following: Electrician (Journeyman, Lineman, Residential Wireman, Trainee, Provisional); Plumber (Journeyman, Gas, Utility, Trainee, Provisional); Asbestos Abatement; Explosive Handler; Hazardous Paint; Boiler Operator (Class 1-4); Inspectors (Amusement, Tramway, Boiler).
We do not issue business licenses, contractor licenses, or administrator licenses. Please contact the Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/.
Q: What is the process to work in the plumbing and electrical trade in Alaska?
A: Find an employer to sponsor you in the Registered Apprenticeship Program (Federal DOL). Have your employer print out the Davis Bacon Letter showing your registration. Submit that letter and your Trainee Application (Mechanical Inspection Forms, Alaska Department of Labor) to our office (MI@ALASKA.GOV). There will be a 7-10 business day processing time and you will receive your certificate via email.
The Trainee COF allows you to perform code work while supervised by a journey-level worker. Track hours for submission on our Experience Verification Form. We recommend having your employer complete this form at the termination of employment of ever six months of employment.
Once you have earned 8,000 qualifying hours you may apply for Plumber Journeyman or Electrician Journeyman. Submit your new application with your EVF(s) to our office for processing. Once we validate your application packet, we will schedule an exam. Passing the examination with a score of 70% or more allows us to complete the process and issue your journey-level COF.
Q: How do I earn hours for my trade certificate of fitness?
A: To begin earning hours, you must be sponsored by an employer and registered with the federal Registered Apprenticeship Program. Submit a copy of your Davis Bacon Letter printed from the RAPIDS system to our office along with your application for a Trainee COF. Once issued, this certificate allows you to begin accumulating hours towards your trade certificate.
Q: What hours count towards my trade certificate of fitness?
A: Per 8 AAC 90.890, we may only count hours worked for a contractor with valid credentials in the state in which you worked. This work must be subject to the applicable code and the work must be performed under the direct supervision of a journey-level tradesperson. Maintenance work does not qualify.
In 2025, we will begin accepting vocational/military hours. Vocational programs with hands-on learning may certify hours. Military service in a qualifying specialty will allow 500 hours per year of service in that specialty. Military/Vocational hours are limited to half the normal hours required for that COF (4,000 hours may be used for Electrician Journeyman or Plumbing Journeyman, for example)
Q: How can I pay for my application and certificate?
A: We accept cash, checks, and Visa, Mastercard, and American Express in our office. When sending an application, please include separate checks for the application and certificate fees. If you wish to use a credit card, please complete the credit card information on the application.
Q: May I work while waiting for my certificate of fitness to process?
A: You may not perform code work covered by your COF. You may perform other work for your employer or perform classroom study.
Q: Should I call over and over and over again if someone doesn't answer?
A: Please don't. We have limited staff and every phone call takes away time from processing applications. If you don't reach a person when you call, please leave a detailed message with a good call back number so that we may respond. We encourage you to ask questions via email at mi@alaska.gov.
Q: Why does the licensing process take so long?
A: Our application and verification system is outdated and we have limited staff to process applications. In addition to our applications, we receive many phone calls daily. We process all requests in the order received. Incomplete applications will be rejected in order to process completed applications in less time.
Q: Can I pay to expedite my certificate of fitness?
A: No. We do not have the authorization to charge extra for faster processing.
Q: How early am I allowed to renew my certificate of fitness?
A: You may renew 90 days prior to the expiration date of your current certificate.
Q: How to I renew a certificate of fitness that will expire soon?
A: Send an email to mi@alaska.gov with the subject "COF Renewal".
Complete a Renewal Application available on our web site and attach it to the email.
Please allow 7-10 business days for processing. The next business day, you'll receive an email with the renewed COF to print.
Note: You will receive an auto-reply when we receive your email. Please do not call to check the status prior to the ten business days.
If you do not wish to use email, please mail a letter containing the printed renewal application with a check for $200 payable to Alaska Department of Labor. You may also come into our office to request a renewal and pay with cash/check/card at the counter. This will still process in 7-10 business days and be emailed to you.
Q: Does Alaska issue a Master license for the plumbing or electrical trades?
A: No. Alaska has a Journeyman COF which allows for work covered by the code. Alaska also has Mechanical Administrator and Electrical Administrator licenses which cover supervision and sign-off of code work. Refer to DCCED for details on these licenses.
Q: May I conduct code work using my Administrator license?
A: No. The Administrator licenses do not allow the holder to perform code work.
Q: May I hold both an Administrator license and a trade COF?
A: Yes. There is no restriction on having both, and this allows the holder to function like how a master trades license works in many other states.
Q: How do I receive or renew my Administrator license?
A: Please contact the Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/.
Q: How do I reciprocate my license from another state or jurisdiction?
A: As of August 8, 2025, we accept applications to reciprocate Electrician Journeyman and Plumbing Journeyman COFs with other states and jurisdictions within the United States without a mutual agreement between states.
Q: What if my employer is no longer available to sign an Experience Verification?
A: EVFs must be completed by the employer. AS 18.62.050(c) allows for an Alaska-based union to submit hours in lieu of an employer. If you are not able to reach your employer, please contact the appropriate union in Alaska to review your qualifications and submit hours on behalf of your former employer.
Q: What if my union is unwilling or unable to sign an Experience Verification Form?
A: Worked hours are intended to be submitted directly by your employer. Unions are allowed to complete these forms and do so as a courtesy. We recommend that you have the EVF completed by your employer directly every six months or on the last day of work for that employer. Keep these in a safe location as they will need to be submitted when you apply for the new certificate.
Q: Who can manage my COF information?
A: Only you as the licensee may request that information be updated. Please contact us via email at mi@alaska.gov to request a change to your contact information.
Q: How does the new Provisional Certificate of Fitness work?
A: Per 8 AAC 90.112, Provisional Plumber Journeyman and Provisional Electrician Journeyman work as follows:
If you hold a valid trade license in another US state or jurisdiction you may apply for a provisional version of that license in Alaska if: (a) You submit a completed application and include a copy of their current license in another state or jurisdiction; and (b) You pay the $150 application and certificate fee.
Additional documentation may need to be provided to demonstrate that the out-of-state license is substantially equivalent to the Alaska trade certificate.
When approved and issued, you will be allowed to perform work in Alaska in the appropriate trade. You must carry both the provisional COF and their qualifying out-of-state license. The provisional certificate will expire one year from issue, or on the date of expiration of your qualifying license, whichever is sooner.
While the provisional COF may not be renewed, it may be re-applied for if needed.
If requested on the application, we will process the provisional application as a reciprocal application once the initial provisional COF is issued. The duration of the upgraded certificate will be based on the date of expiration of your provisional certificate.
Because many states do not include fuel gas work as part of their plumber license, provisional certificates do not allow you to perform fuel gas work in Alaska.
Q: How do Provisional and Reciprocal certificates differ?
A: Provisional certificates are a once-and-done certificate. They are good for up to one year and require the holder to have and maintain an equivalent out-of-state license. The intention of this license is to allow temporary workers to come to Alaska for short-term projects quickly. Provisional certificate holders may not supervise trainee work.
The reciprocal certificate is issued for a full two years and may be renewed as a normal journey-level certificate. It does not depend on maintaining a license in any other jurisdiction. Reciprocal certificate holders may supervise trainee workers.
