Want to install a new thermostat, get a new garbage disposal or maybe have Christmas lights put on your house? Under a proposed amendment to Delaware electrical licensing regulations, a once-simple job would now require a licensed electrician.

The change proposed by the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners would eliminate an exemption that allows trained communication and cabling contractors to install wiring for systems such as internet, security and audiovisual networks – basically anything that falls under the category of low-voltage wiring. Instead, a licensed electrician, or an apprentice working under one, would have to install all cables.

Companies affected by this amendment include: cabling companies, plumbing companies, HVAC companies, landscape companies, audio/visual companies, access control companies and fire alarm installers. Even Christmas decoration companies would have to hire an electrician to stay in business.

It’s like having to take a doctor to buy an aspirin.

While this amendment would put thousands of people out of work in Delaware, the ripple effects to the consumer are even greater. Schools upgrading computer labs, businesses installing security systems, hospitals improving patient monitoring and homeowners investing in smart technology would see incredible spikes in cost; that is, if they could even schedule an electrician. There are fewer than 2,400 licensed electricians in Delaware – not enough to meet current demand.

Electricians from other states would have to be called in. Add the cost of travel and lodging to that cable TV installation bill.

Many low-voltage firms are small, often family-owned businesses that don’t employ master electricians. Without the exemption, they would be forced to either hire licensed electricians from out of state at significantly higher wages, put existing employees through four to six years of licensing requirements, or close their doors. At least one national company with hundreds of workers in Delaware has already said it would simply leave the state. Workers who have built careers in specialized cabling would suddenly find themselves out of work.

So, what would this amendment benefit? It wouldn’t benefit safety. There have been no safety problems ever under the current system. It wouldn’t benefit the people of Delaware. They’d surely see their costs, taxes and wait times rise to meet this mandate.

The only winner might be out-of-state workers.

Email your thoughts in opposition to Jazmine.Peebles@delaware.gov. Tell the board to keep exemption 10.1.6. Save jobs and the economy of Delaware.