Like some have said most of these inspectors are book smart. It is now tougher to get your license, you can't just take the course anymore from what I have heard. You now need to actually get hours working, like an electrician. My buddy went through it last year.
As far as a homeowner pulling an electrical permit, it can be done, and the inspector can inspect it, but I was told by someone ion the insurance field that homeowners won't pay even if the inspector signed off on your work, because you need a license in mass.
Here is a good story about people not pulling permits. Don't piss off your neighbors. A friend of mine went to buy a foreclosed 2 family. The bank went to the town hall for some documents for the sale, and were told to talk to the building inspector. The building inspector advised the bank that he had pulled the occupancy permit for the building because the previous owner did extensive renovations without a permit. He wanted to get in and inspect the house. One of two things happened, a neighbor called on him, or the guy called on himself after the bank took the house. Long story short my buddy had to get a licensed guy with insurance, have him fill out a bunch of forms and send proof to the bank. It took awhile but he finally closed on the house, and the work has begun.
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