The foreword to the BBB Advertising Code states: "In all cases, advertisers, agencies and media outlets must also ensure compliance with local, state, federal and provincial laws and regulations governing advertising."
BBB's Advertising Code states:
Basic principles of the Code
1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful and non-misleading advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers must be prepared to substantiate any factual claims or offers made prior to publication or transmission. Upon request, they must provide such substantiation immediately to the advertising medium or BBB.
1.2 Advertisements that are false, misleading, fraudulent, that falsely denigrate competitors or that are insincere sales offers shall not be used.
1.3 An advertisement as a whole may be misleading by implication, although each sentence considered separately may be literally true.
1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but also from the omission or concealment of a material fact.
As you may know, BBB is not a government agency. We do not enforce or interpret the law. However, we feel it is important to inform you that the Texas Administrative Code requires electricians to display their license wherever they advertise. In this case, we request that you also include your electrician's license number in the overall footer of your company's website. See below.
**Texas Administrative Code
TITLE 16, ECONOMIC REGULATIONS, PART 4, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 73, ELECTRICIANS, RULE §73.51, Responsibilities of electrical contractors.
(b) A person or contractor performing or offering to perform electrical work shall:
(1) provide safe and adequate installation and service, and ensure that the electromechanical integrity of all work and facilities comply with applicable code;
(2) not misrepresent the need for services, the services to be provided, or the services that have been provided;
(3) not make fraudulent promises or misrepresentations to influence, persuade or induce a person or entity to contract for services; and
(4) ensure that all electrical work by an electrical contractor is performed by authorized persons.
(c) The design of an electrical system shall be performed only by a master electrician or a design professional licensed by law. The design shall not be subcontracted to an unlicensed person, firm, or corporation.
(d) A licensed electrical contractor shall display its name and license number on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the company and used to perform electrical work. The lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches high. The license number shall be preceded by the letters "TECL".
(e) All advertising by electrical contractors designed to solicit electrical business shall include the name and license number of the electrical contractor. This includes business cards. The following advertising does not require the license number:
(1) national television advertising using a statement indicating that license numbers are available upon request in lieu of the electrical contractor's license number;
(2) listings in the telephone directory containing only the name, address and telephone number;
(3) commercial advertisements in the telephone directory of manufacturers and distributors that identify an electrical contractor;
(4) telephone solicitations, provided the applicant states that the contractor meets state licensing requirements. The electrical contractor's number must be provided upon request;
(5) promotional items of nominal value, such as baseball caps, T-shirts and other giveaways; or (6) promotional items of nominal value, such as baseball caps, T-shirts and other giveaways.
(6) signs located at the contractor's permanent business location.
(f) The name, address, telephone number, and license number of the electrical contractor must appear on all written proposals, invoices, and contracts of the contractor. The following information: "Regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.license.state.tx.us/complaints" must appear on all written proposals, invoices, and contracts.
(g) A licensed electrical contractor and its registered designated master electrician of record are responsible for supervising all licensees performing work on behalf of the contractor to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and rules and, in particular, the standards of conduct set forth in this chapter.
(h) An electrical contractor shall not use a license that is not assigned to that contractor.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §73.51 were adopted to be effective January 1, 2010, 34 TexReg 9433; Amended to be effective March 15, 2012, 37 TexReg 1703.