The purpose of your license

I heard a very interesting comment from one of my 3rd year apprentices that seems to be the thought of many electricians out there. The student actually stated that the reason many electricians do not take the test is because their company does not care or offer more money whether they have a license or not. This is so far from the truth about the reason for the license in Virginia or any other state for that manner. Simply do a search on Google about electrical fires in the news.  My friends they happen daily due to those who install electrical wiring that is against code. The license is for the individual not the company. It shows others that you have been exposed to the proper training to install electrical equipment safely. Our jobs require many hours of training that can last throughout our career. I know many say it is for the money that the state can get extra revenue. I disagree, think of the home that is burned down because of faulty installations. The code updates required makes sure that license holders are keeping up with the current code. Anyone can make a lamp work or wire an outlet, but installing it safely is another issue entirely. I find it interesting that in the HVAC field a person has to be certified to even be able to by freon for an AC unit due to the hazards it presents. Yet any average person can simply go to the big box store and by electrical wiring and burn down their house or worst yet, do cheap on the fly wiring for a friend real cheap and kill a child. Maybe it is time that anyone buying a breaker or panel box must be certified before they can buy it. Anyhow the license is for your qualifications to help you get a better Job if you work for someone who could care less about safety maybe its time to search around. I'm just saying the license is for you not a company. Those that have a Journeymans or a Master License work hard to get it with lots of studying and behind the scene installations. keep your license current, keeping up on your training only makes you a better electrician. Training is on going. As I tell my 3rd year class. On a scale of 1-10 when I has a helper I was a 3. when I was an apprentice I was a 5. When I was a Journeyman I was a 8. when I was a foremen I was 9. When I was a Superintendent I dropped to an 8. When I was a project Manager I dropped to a 7. When I became an instructor An found out how much is really in the field I dropped to a 6. Now as an Electrical consult I stay right around a 5 always learning new things in this vast field.  So stay safe all my fellow brothers and sisters if the field and remember education can only help make us better. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. In closing always remember from where you came and be willing to teach others the rioght way, the shortcut may kill someone.
God Bless
Dave