POUGHKEEPSIE – Electricians in Dutchess County are headed toward a licensing law like that in other counties in the Hudson Valley.

The Government Services Committee of the County Legislature Thursday gave its nod to the law.

Electricians who spoke during a public comment period back the plan. Richard Parente is an electrician and president of the Dutchess County Electrical Contractors Association.

“The National Electrical Code is the Bible. It does not break down to electricians’ experience. An example is one who wires an IBM building versus one who wires a one-car garage. The electrical code is the electrical code,” he said. “Number 12 wire is rated at 20 amps, whether it is installed in a commercial building or in a home.”

The full county legislature will vote on the law at its regular session next week.