NETA launched the Qualified Electrical Equipment Maintenance Company (QEMC) program in 2024 and is pleased to welcome seven newly qualified companies and their 43 Qualified Electrical Equipment Maintenance Workers (QEMWs).
Congratulations, NETA QEMCs!
| Blackmon Power | Fleming Controls & Power Specialties | Industrial High Voltage | Jesse Stutts, Inc. |
| Piquette & Howard Electric | Recore Electric | Sabino Electric, Inc. |
NETA’s recognition of these seven Qualified Electrical Equipment Maintenance Companiesprovides assurance of the organizations’ electrical power system maintenanceexperience and worker qualifications.
The new NETA-administered QEMC and QEMW qualification program is in response to the ANSI-approved NFPA 70B–2023®, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance®, which makes proper electrical equipment maintenance mandatory and enforceable. (See NFPA 70B excerpts on Qualified Persons Specifications found on page 160.)
A FEW WORDS FROM THE FIRST QEMCs
PH Electric is an electrical contractor serving the Northeast Region. They work closely with several NETA Accredited Companies on projects requiring NETA testing. We spoke with Jim Cole, one of PH Electric’s owners, who is a recently certified QEMW, and a NETA QEMC representative.
“Our business is exploding. We were looking for a means to formalize our training and standardize our team’s qualifications. We also want to make sure we are offering services that help our clients comply with the industry standards. The NETA QEMC program answered everything for us. By becoming a QEMC, we align with NETA, known for setting the standards in the industry. This will help our company ensure we provide the best service, execute it properly, keep our workers safe, and do the right things for our customers.
With NFPA 70B becoming an ANSI-approved standard, there is a huge influx of work, and technicians are still hard to find. By qualifying our team members, we can help fill that technician need and take advantage of the growing opportunity.
Our customers are looking for NETA Accredited Companies to do their testing. With the new QEMC designation and 14 of our team now certified as QEMWs, we can support the horsepower associated with our NETA Accredited Company partners.
Alignment with NETA has helped our business grow. Working in partnerships has advanced our company as well as the NETA Accredited Companies we serve. Together, we can deliver more competitive bids and win more projects.”
Blackmon Power,an independent electrical services provider, serves the eastern seaboard and southeast areas and supports their customers’ needs with a Power Branch and an Electrical Branch that provide basic maintenance services. We spoke with Blackmon Power Senior Project Manager Tyler Grant, who leads the day-to-day operations, is a certified QEMW, and serves as the NETA company’s QEMC representative.
“Since NFPA 70B became an ANSI-approved standard, we’ve wanted to become a one-stop shop for our customers and to be at the forefront of driving NFPA 70B compliance. We saw that NETA was aligning perfectly with our goals. Signing up to become a QEMC was an easy decision.
We now have three QEMW technicians and are looking to get everybody on board. We see the program as another way to bring value to our customers. Many of our customers don’t have maintenance programs, and we are gearing up to better serve them. Internally, we are discussing creating an NFPA 70B service package to help them develop customized electrical maintenance plans and make compliance easy.
QEMC VERIFICATION
Facility owners are looking to ensure NFPA 70B compliance. Hiring a QEMC certified service provider guarantees verification of the NFPA 70B qualifications of the service provider and their technicians. Service providers interested in qualifying their electrical maintenance technicians can contact NETA to begin the application process.
QEMW EXAMINATION
NETA’s Qualified Electrical Equipment Maintenance Worker examination process delivers third-party validation of your field and maintenance workers’ qualifications and knowledge. The QEMW Exam aligns with NFPA 70B 4.3.3 and is designed around routine maintenance services that support the advanced electrical testing services specified in the ANSI/NETA standards.
Congratulations to 43 New QEMWs
The first QEMW Exam testing period opened in February 2025, resulting in the certification of 43 new QEMWs. This QEMW exam can be taken any time throughout the year, coordinated by NETA using the Pearson VUE online proctored platform or at an approved testing center.
RESOURCES
NETA has created a Detailed Content Outline and Reference Guide to assist companies and their technicians preparing for the Qualified Electrical Equipment Maintenance Worker exam. QEMC program, application, and exam information can be found at NETAWorld.org/QEMC-QEMW or contact NETA at QEMC@netaworld.org.
EXCERPTS FROM NFPA70B–2023®, STANDARD FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE®
4.2 Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)
4.2.1 General
The equipment owner shall implement and document an overall EMP that directs activity appropriate to the safety and operational risks.
4.2.3 Condition of Maintenance
The EMP shall include elements that consider current condition of maintenance of electrical equipment and systems as well as the potential safety and operational risks to maintenance and operational personnel.
4.2.4 EMP Principles
The EMP shall identify the principles upon which it is based and the goals to be achieved.
4.2.4.1
The EMP shall be designed to function in conjunction with the applicable electrical safety program.
4.2.4.2
The EMP shall include the following elements:
- An electrical safety program that addresses the coordination of maintenance
- Identification of personnel responsible for implementing each element of the program
- Survey and analysis of electrical equipment and systems to determine maintenance requirements and priorities.
- Developed and documented maintenance procedures for equipment
- A plan of inspections, servicing, and suitability tests
- A maintenance equipment, personnel documentation, and records-retention policy
4.2.7 EMP Audit
The EMP shall be audited at intervals not to exceed 5 years to verify that the principles and procedures of the EMP comply with this standard.
4.3 Personnel
4.3.1 EMP Coordinator
The EMP shall identify an EMP coordinator.
4.3.2 Maintenance Personnel
Personnel assigned to EMP duties shall be qualified for assigned tasks.
4.3.3 Electrical maintenance Training
A qualified person responsible for conducting electrical maintenance shall be trained in the specific maintenance tasks, test methods, test equipment, PPE usage (as applicable), and hazards associated with the electrical equipment or system being serviced.