At Lewis Bass International Engineering Services, we pride ourselves on our flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to deliver thorough, code-compliant field evaluations across the United States.

As an IAS Accredited Field Evaluation Body (FEB), we’re authorized to field label non-listed equipment in a wide range of jurisdictions: from tech-heavy R&D installations in the Bay Area to industrial machinery setups in the Midwest.

But we wouldn’t be doing our job as a trusted compliance partner if we weren’t honest about something important: There are a few places in the United States where we simply can’t operate, not because we aren’t qualified (we absolutely are), but because of local jurisdictional red tape and internal lists that restrict who gets to do what.

Let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about where Lewis Bass can’t work.

Let’s Get Real About NRTLs vs. FEBs

Before we start name-dropping cities and counties, it’s worth reviewing a key distinction that often confuses clients: NRTLs vs. FEBs.

NRTLs, or Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, are third-party labs recognized by OSHA to test products to specific standards. They’re often large, national corporations with deep legacy ties to regulatory systems.

On the other hand, Field Evaluation Bodies (FEBs) like Lewis Bass, perform on-site evaluations of non-listed equipment to verify conformity to applicable standards (like the NEC, NFPA 79/791, UL508A, SEMI S2, etc.) and issue field labels. We’re accredited by IAS (International Accreditation Service) to do this exact work.

Here’s the catch: while the scope of work is the same, some AHJs (U.S. States/Counties/Cities/Government Agencies) have regulatory policies that only allow NRTLs to perform field labeling of unlisted equipment in their jurisdictions. Others have curated internal lists that act as exclusive gatekeepers, regardless of competence or accreditation.

Which brings us to…

#1: The State of Washington – You Must Be This Tall to Enter

Welcome to the Evergreen State, where field labeling dreams go to die (unless you’re an NRTL).

In Washington, you must be an NRTL recognized by OSHA to perform field evaluations of unlisted equipment. It doesn’t matter if you’re IAS-accredited, have 30+ years of field labeling experience, and maintain a perfect track record. Simply put: in the State of Washington if you’re not on OSHA’s NRTL list, you’re not getting in the door.

This is a statewide policy baked into the electrical code enforcement process. Even seasoned evaluation pros like us have to step aside and let the big NRTL names handle it (Need a referral to an NRTL to skip knocking on the front door entirely? We got you!) no matter how slow, expensive, or impersonal that process may be.

In other words: Lewis Bass can’t work here.

#2: The City of Los Angeles – Where Bureaucracy Wears Sunglasses

You might think Los Angeles, with its cutting-edge industries and international footprint, would be open to modern solutions and flexibility in compliance pathways. But, you’d be flat out wrong: L.A. runs on its own custom compliance rulebook from the late 1990s.

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) maintains an internal list of approved field evaluation agencies that are also NRTLs. They don’t allow just any IAS-accredited FEB to do this work, even though we do the exact same job with the exact same standards.

And getting on LADBS’s list? Well, let’s just say it’s not an open application process. It’s like trying to join a country club where the only rule is “we pick who gets in, and we don’t have to explain why.”

Bottom line: Lewis Bass can’t work here either, at least not until L.A. updates its policies to reflect reality.

#3: Los Angeles County – Copy/Paste Bureaucracy

If you thought things might be more flexible in the surrounding areas, think again. Los Angeles County follows the same locked-door policy as the city itself.

Like LADBS, many county departments have embedded policies requiring that all field evaluation work be conducted by NRTLs. The concept of a well-qualified, fully-accredited FEB like Lewis Bass? Not even up for discussion in the County’s eyes.

This means businesses operating just outside the L.A. city limits face the same limited menu: choose from a small list of pre-approved NRTLs or don’t field label your equipment at all.

You guessed it: Lewis Bass can’t work here.

Why Transparency Matters to Us

It might seem strange for a company to call attention to where it can’t work. But at Lewis Bass, transparency is part of our core DNA. We’d rather have an informed client than a frustrated one (our clients current and potential matter to us very much). And if you’re planning a project in these regions, we want you to know up front how the local code enforcement plays ball.

That said, if you’re operating in any other part of the United States, there’s a strong chance we can help you and do it faster, cheaper, and with more personalized service than the typical NRTL giants.

We’ve built our reputation by working with AHJs, within the code, and for our clients. And where the rules allow, we deliver top-tier field evaluations with zero runaround.

Final Thoughts: Help Us Help You

Here’s the real takeaway: just because Lewis Bass is qualified doesn’t mean we’re always allowed to perform evaluations everywhere. The issue isn’t capability, it’s policy.

So if you’re about to install unlisted equipment or plan a retrofit, reach out to us first. We’ll help you navigate whether your jurisdiction is NRTL-only or if our IAS accreditation checks all the boxes (as it does in most places we work).

And if you’re not in Washington or L.A.? Great news! Lewis Bass can work there, and we’re ready to show you why so many customers choose us over legacy labs every single time.

Need clarity on your jurisdiction?
Contact us at customersupport@lewisbass.com or call us at (408) 942-8000. We’ll tell you the truth (and refer you to an awesome NRTL if needed) even if it means we can’t take the job.