To legally service, maintain, or install elevators in Delaware, you must hold a license from the state's Board of Elevator Mechanics. This requirement applies to all individuals performing elevator work, and a general contractor license does not cover this specialized scope. This guide provides a complete roadmap for licensure, from documenting your experience and passing the required exam to understanding insurance rules and renewing your license.
Do you need a license to be an elevator mechanic in Delaware?
Yes, Delaware requires a license issued by the Board of Elevator Mechanics for any person who erects, constructs, installs, alters, services, repairs, or maintains elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, and other related equipment. This requirement is established under the Delaware Elevator Safety Act.
Who the Delaware Board of Elevator Mechanics licenses
The Board licenses individual elevator mechanics. There is a single license type, and it is for individuals, not companies. The license allows you to work for an elevator company that meets state insurance requirements.
What "elevator work" covers under Title 16, Chapter 95
The scope of work requiring a license is broad, encompassing the full lifecycle of elevator equipment. This includes not only elevators but also dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, and chairlifts. The specific technical standards and definitions are detailed in Delaware's Administrative Code, which references ASME safety codes.
What are the experience requirements for a Delaware elevator mechanic license?
An applicant must meet the requirements of one of four distinct pathways to qualify for an elevator mechanic license in Delaware. The state provides three experience-based options and one certification-based alternative, allowing flexibility for applicants with different training backgrounds.
You must satisfy the criteria for one of the following paths:
- Path A: Supervised Full-Time Experience
- Six years of full-time experience working under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator mechanic.
- Path B: Experience plus Related Instruction
- A minimum of 8,000 hours of full-time experience in the elevator industry.
- A minimum of 576 hours of related classroom instruction or other approved training, such as completing a certified apprenticeship program.
- Path C: Experience plus Technical Training
- Four years of full-time experience in the elevator industry.
- A minimum of 6,000 hours of technical training in the elevator industry.
- Path D: Certification by Examination
- Provide proof of passing the Certified Elevator Technician (CET®) examination.
- Provide proof of passing the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP®) examination.
What exam do you need to pass for a Delaware elevator mechanic license?
Applicants must pass a Board-accepted examination with a score of at least 70% to qualify for a license. Delaware recognizes two national certification exams as meeting this requirement, which also serves as an alternative to the standard experience pathways.
CET® (NAEC) and NEIEP® as qualifying examinations
The Delaware Board of Elevator Mechanics accepts a passing score on either of the following examinations:
- Certified Elevator Technician (CET®), administered by the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC).
- National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP®).
What the exam does and does not replace
Passing one of these exams satisfies the examination requirement for licensure. As noted in the experience section, it can also serve as a standalone qualification path, bypassing the need to document specific years or hours of field experience. No separate business and law examination or acceptance of NASCLA examinations for elevator mechanics was identified in the state's regulations.
How much does a Delaware elevator mechanic license cost?
The application fee for an Elevator Mechanic license is $200, with additional fees for specific services like license verification or continuing education approval. All fees paid to the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation are non-refundable.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $200 |
| Service Request (SR) - Request for Roster | $45 |
| SR - Verification of Licensure | $35 |
| SR - Verification of Licensure with Exam Scores | $45 |
| SR - Continuing Education Approval | $45 |
Renewal fee and late-fee mechanics
The renewal fee amount is set by the Division of Professional Regulation and communicated to licensees before the renewal period. If a license is not renewed by the June 30 deadline, a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee is assessed.
What insurance do you need as a licensed elevator mechanic in Delaware?
A licensed elevator mechanic must ensure they work for an employer that carries a general liability insurance policy of at least $300,000 covering all employees. As part of the application and licensure process, mechanics must agree to this condition in writing.
The employer general-liability rule
State regulations do not require an individual mechanic to carry their own general liability policy, provided that their employer maintains a policy with a minimum of $300,000 in coverage for all its employees. This places the primary insurance burden on the employing elevator company.
What changes if you work for yourself
If a licensed mechanic operates as an independent business and not as an employee, they would be considered the "elevator company" and would be required to secure the general liability policy for themselves.
The applicant attestation
All applicants and licensees must formally agree to work only for an elevator company that maintains the required insurance. This attestation is a condition of licensure.
How do you apply for a Delaware elevator mechanic license?
The application process is managed online through the state's professional licensing portal, DELPROS, and requires submitting documentation that proves you meet one of the qualification paths.
Step-by-step application process
- Confirm Eligibility: Determine which of the four qualification paths (A, B, C, or D) you meet.
- Gather Documents: Collect the necessary proof for your chosen path. This may include employment verification forms signed by previous supervisors, apprenticeship completion certificates, or proof of passing the CET® or NEIEP® exam.
- Submit Online Application: Create an account and complete the application through the DELPROS online portal. You will need to upload your supporting documents and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Board Review: The Board of Elevator Mechanics will review your application and documentation. If additional information is needed, you will be contacted.
- Receive License: Once your application is approved, you will be issued a license. You must adhere to the attestation to only work for an employer with the required general liability insurance.
Where to find the application form and checklist
The official application and related forms, including the experience verification form and insurance attestation, are available on the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation's website for the Board of Elevator Mechanics.
How do you renew your Delaware elevator mechanic license?
Delaware Elevator Mechanic licenses expire on June 30 of every even-numbered year and must be renewed through the DELPROS online portal with proof of required continuing education.
The biennial cycle
Licenses operate on a two-year cycle, expiring on June 30 of even years (e.g., 2024, 2026, 2028). The Division of Professional Regulation sends a renewal notice to the email address on file before the expiration date.
What happens if you miss the deadline
If you do not renew by June 30, your license expires on July 1. To renew an expired license, you must pay the renewal fee plus a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee.
Reactivating an expired or inactive license
The process for reactivating a license that has been expired for an extended period or placed on inactive status is managed by the Board. Confirm the specific requirements and fees for reactivation with the Division of Professional Regulation.
What continuing education does Delaware require for elevator mechanics?
Licensees must complete 10 hours of approved continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period to be eligible for renewal.
Pro-rated CE for new licensees
New licensees receive a reduced CE requirement for their first cycle, based on months of licensure before that first renewal:
- Less than 12 months of licensure: No CE required.
- 12 up to 24 months of licensure: 5 hours of CE required.
Approved providers
The Board automatically accepts CE courses certified by the following organizations:
- National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP)
- Certified Elevator Technician Education Program (CET), offered by the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC)
- National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC)
- National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities (NAESA)
- Qualified Elevator Inspector Training Fund (QEITF)
Courses from other providers must be submitted to the Board for approval using a Service Request in DELPROS, which requires a $45 fee.
Does Delaware offer reciprocity for elevator mechanic licenses?
Yes, Delaware grants reciprocity to elevator mechanic licensees from other jurisdictions whose licensing standards are "substantially similar" to Delaware's. An alternative path exists for applicants from states without similar standards if they have sufficient work experience.
The "substantially similar" standard
An applicant holding an active license in good standing from another state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory may apply by reciprocity. The Board will review the other jurisdiction's requirements for licensure to determine if they are equivalent to Delaware's.
The five-year practice fallback
If an applicant's home jurisdiction does not have substantially similar standards, they may still qualify for a Delaware license by providing proof of having practiced as a licensed elevator mechanic for at least five years in that jurisdiction.
How to document an out-of-state license for reciprocity
Applicants for reciprocity must provide a verification of licensure from their home state's licensing board. This verification must be sent directly from the other board to the Delaware Board of Elevator Mechanics.