After the effective date of this article, no electrical work may be performed, offered or engaged in for compensation or hire within the State of West Virginia by any person, firm or corporation unless such person, firm or corporation possesses a license and a certificate issued by the state Fire Marshal in accordance with this article, and a copy of the license is posted on any job in which electrical work is being performed for hire.

As used in this article:

(a) "Apprentice electrician" means a person with interest in and an aptitude for performing electrical work but who alone is not capable of performing electrical work unless directly supervised by a higher license classification.

(b) "Electrical contractor" means a person, firm or corporation who engages in the business of electrical work and employs master electricians, journeyman electricians, apprentice electricians or other related workers for the construction, alteration or repair of any electrical wiring, equipment or systems as defined in the scope of the national electric code.

(c) "Electrical work" means the installation of wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures, other appliances, equipment or systems for transmitting, carrying, controlling or using electricity as defined in the scope of the national electric code.

(d) "Journeyman electrician" means a person qualified by at least four years of electrical work experience to do any work installing wires, conduits, apparatus, equipment, fixtures and other appliances, provided that this classification is not authorized to design electrical systems.

(e) "License" means a valid and current certificate of competency issued by the state Fire Marshal.

(f) "Master electrician" means a person with at least five years of electrical work experience, including experience in all phases of electrical wiring and installation, who is competent to design electrical systems, and to instruct and supervise the electrical work of journeyman electricians, apprentice electricians, and other related workers.

(g) "Specialty electrician" means a person qualified to perform electrical work in a limited or specialized area.