What Are SBC’s?
SBCs (Skill Based Credits) are required to advance as a CW or CE. They are used to measure your skill level and show your progress toward becoming a Journeyman. Your initial SBC level is determined by a skills evaluation. This also sets your benefit level.
The SBC Levels for each level of CW/CE are as follows:
CW/CE Category |
SBC Hours |
Benefit |
| CW 1 | 0-2,000 | Pension Only |
| CW 2 | 2,001-4,000 | Pension, Plan C |
| CW 3 | 4,001-6,000 | Pension, Plan C |
| CW 4 | 6,001-8,000 | Pension, Plan C, 3% Annuity |
| CW 5 | 8,001-10,000 | Plan B, 3% Annuity |
| CW 6 | 10,001-12,000 | Plan B, 3% Annuity |
| CE 1 | 12,001-13,000 | Plan B, 5% Annuity |
| CE 2 | 13,001-14,000 | Plan B, 5% Annuity |
| CE 3 | 14,001-15,000 | Plan A, 5% Annuity |
| CE 4 | 15,001-16,000 | Plan A, 5% Annuity |
If you do not evaluate within 90 DAYS of joining, you will not get benefits!
You will not lose pay for evaluating. Your pay rate will either be your verifiable wages or the rate associated with your SBC level, whichever is greater. Below are some examples:
You join at a CW 6 pay rate and evaluate at a CE 2 level.
You are reclassified as a CE 2 and get CE 2 pay and benefits.
You join at a CE 2 pay rate and evaluate at a CW 6 level.
You keep your CE 2 pay. You get CW 6 benefits. You will need to get 4,001 SBCs to advance from CW 6 to CE 3 and get a raise.
You join at a CE 2 pay rate and never evaluate.
You keep your CE 2 pay. You get CW 1 benefits. You need to get 14,001 SBCs to advance to CE 3 and get a raise.