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There is a work around. The test is the same for everybody. It is just a matter of getting to take it.

My town and any towns bigger all have a electrician and plumbing boards usually run by the the old guys who have been in the business in town and want to protect their business by keeping their own employees from going out on their own after getting all that training from them. So they have all these experience requirements, etc. However they can't stop someone who already has a master's license from getting a license in the city.

The work around is to start calling the city administrators/clerks of the small towns in your area that don't have boards. He can ask them if they will sponsor him for the exam. They are always looking for more people to work their area. I found one who would sponsor me and all I had to do was pay the bux for the test.
I grew up doing that stuff and my cousin took over the family business. He could talk and do anything electrical and plumbing except you put a written test in front of him and then that knowledge goes away. He couldn't pass the EPA test which is fairly simple so he had a friend getting refrigerant for him. I was chairman of our planning commission back then and dealing with those guys anyway. So I was going to take the tests so he could work under my license. I was just taking online practice tests and figured out I needed help with electric motors and the 3 phase. Then he had a heart attack at 42 and he cut back from taking anything other than the small town repairs on a part time basis. So I didn't take them. I had looked into prep courses till he had his attack. As an aside, I took the prep courses for the CPA exam and 2 bar exams and they made all the difference for tying everything together while also taking practice exams. The courses help me pass the exams on the first try for each. Who knows I may still do it some day just to say I did it.

> There is a work around. The test is the same for everybody. It is just a matter of getting to take it.

bc, thanks for your suggestion, but the Michigan license application is fairly explicit in what is required to document an applicant's experience:

"Applicant must provide notarized documentation from present and former employers verifying the attainment of 4,000 hours in not less than 2 years of practical experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician, subsequent to initial journeyman issue date. Applicant must provide notarized documentation from present and former employers verifying the attainment of 4,000 hours in not less than 2 years of practical experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician, subsequent to initial journeyman issue date."

I suppose the state might make an exception if an applicant can prove they worked for a master who has since died, but I don't see where there's any provision for a local board to waive the requirement for documented experience.