Electrical licensing: State-by-state requirements

Ever since Thomas Edison perfected the lightbulb, electricity has been a vital part of our daily lives. The people who maintain these electric systems are essential to enjoying modern comfort. In fact, if you’re reading this article right now, you have an electrician to thank!

Electricians are highly skilled professionals and go through extensive training to ensure they’re up-to-date on the skills they need to do their jobs safely and securely. Every area has specific requirements that their electricians must meet, but wherever you work, you’ll need to show proof that you can do the job: in other words, you’ll need to have a license.

How to get an electrician license: Overview

What is an electrician license?

An electrician license acknowledges that you’ve completed the training necessary to safely work as an electrician in your area. The details of how to get electrician certification can vary depending on your region.

While every area will have different specifications about obtaining a license, every license will require extensive knowledge of the National Electric Code, or NEC.

Do I have to have a license to do electrical work?

Yes, you will need a license to perform most electrical work. Some states, like Indiana, do not have state licensing. However, in these states, the local municipalities usually handle licensing.

Some states offer reciprocity, an agreement with other states that their electrical professionals can work between the two areas with less or no additional paperwork. Not every state provides reciprocity, so check with both states you plan to work in.

What types of licenses are available in the electrical trade?

Most states offer at least three types of licensure: apprentice, journeyman, and master.

Apprentices engage in on-the-job training, usually under the direct supervision of a master electrician. While they are paid for their work and receive benefits if they work full time, they are still in training. Many apprentice programs also require some amount of classroom training.

Journeymen are fully-trained professionals and can work with less restriction than apprentices. However, in many areas, they must still perform specific tasks under the supervision of a master electrician. Journeymen are not allowed to own their own contracting companies.

Master electricians are generally the highest level of the trade and can train apprentices, supervise journeymen, and run contracting businesses.

Some states have different licenses for specialty contractors, while some states only have one level of licensure available. Be sure to check with your local licensing board to ensure you have the proper requirements.

How is professional licensing different from business licensing for electricians?

A professional license certifies that you’re eligible to work on the municipal or state level as an electrician. Every professional electrician requires an electrical license to operate in their municipality or state. The state electrical board usually issues electrical licenses, but some municipal boards can award them.

A business license is a document issued by your state or local government certifying that you can operate legally in that area. It shows that you follow your area’s safety guidelines and tax laws and that your business is trustworthy for your customers. Nearly every company in the United States needs a business license to operate.

Many areas require electricians to obtain a special electrical contracting license along with the local business license. You only need to get this license if you’re starting an electrician business; if you’re a journeyman working under a master electrician, for instance, you don’t need a business license.

Make sure to check with your local municipality to see what your area’s guidelines are.

Electrical licensing requirements: A state-by-state guide

Licensing requirements can vary quite a lot from state to state and even from county to county. This guide will help you know some of what to expect as you begin your electrical career, but it’s essential to check with your local municipality to make sure you’ve completed all of their requirements as well.

Some states don’t have state licensing requirements, but that doesn’t mean you can work without one. In most cases, the municipalities of these states handle the licensing and examinations. For instance, even though Illinois has no licensing requirements, Chicago does.

Alabama

• Journeyman: You’ll need to complete a minimum of 8,000 hours of apprentice work experience in electrical wiring installation, apparatus or equipment, light, heat, or power.
• Electrical contractor: You’ll need at least 4 years of experience directly supervising electrical construction or installation before you can sit for your electrical contractor exam. Once you’re certified as an electrical contractor, you can train apprentices and take on electrical contracts.

• Journeyman: $115 exam fee; $35 license fee.
• Electrical contractor: $165 exam fee; $150 license fee.

Alabama Electrical Contractors Board

Alaska

• Journeyman: You’ll need at least 8,000 hours of apprentice work experience, 6,000 hours of which must be commercial or industrial work. Up to 1,000 hours in a technical program can count towards your work experience.
• Residential: You’ll need at least 4,000 hours of work experience to sit for your exam.
• Electrical Administrator: You’ll need to provide proof that you’ve worked as a journeyman in Alaska for at least 4 of the last 6 years, as well as references from three licensed electricians who have personal knowledge of your experience and qualifications.

• Journeymen and Residential: $50 license application fee; $200 licensure fee upon passing an electrical exam.
• Electrical Administrator fee: $150 application fee; $170 license fee

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Electrical Administrators)

Arizona

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Arkansas

• Journeyman: You must have 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, as well as 800 hours of classroom training.
• Residential Journeyman: You’ll need at least 2 years of experience wiring 1 or 2 family dwellings, as well as a signed letter from your trade or vocational school verifying you’ve completed the necessary training.
• Master: You must have one of the following: A degree in electrical engineering from an accredited college or university, along with at least 2 years of construction work experience; At least 6 years of experience in construction (residential and commercial) and 2 years of experience as a journeyman electrician.
• Residential Master: You’ll need at least 3 years of experience in wiring 1 or 2 family dwellings, as well as 1 year of experience as a licensed residential journeyman.

• Journeyman: $25
• Residential Journeyman: $25
• Master: $50
• Residential Master: $50

Arkansas Department of Labor

California

• Trainee: You must enroll in a board-approved training program.
• Residential Electrician: You’ll need at least 4,800 hours of work experience in at least two residential specialties.
• General Electrician: You must have at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, as well as at least 720 hours of classroom training.
• Independent Electrical Contractor: You’ll need at least 4 years of experience as a general electrician, as well as a passing grade on both the law and business exam and the electrical contractor exam.

• Trainee: $25 annual fee
• Residential: $75 exam fee, $100 license fee
• General: $75 exam fee, $100 license fee
• Independent electrical contractors: $330 exam fee, $200 license fee

Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board

Colorado

• At least 2 years of residential-only apprentice experience, as well as 288 hours of classroom training.
• At least 8,000 hours of experience, 4,000 hours of which must be in commercial or industrial work. Two hundred eighty-eight hours of apprentice classroom training is also required.
• There are three paths to becoming a master electrician in Colorado. Applicants only need to fulfill one set of requirements: Hold a graduate degree in electrical engineering from an accredited college or university, and have at least 1 year (2,000 hours) of construction experience; Complete a program at an electrical trade school or community college and have at least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience; Complete journeyman requirements and have 1 year (2,000 hours) of experience in planning and layout under the direct supervision of a master electrician.

• Journeyman: $75 exam fee; $100 application fee
• Master: $75 exam fee

Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Electrical Board

Connecticut

• Journeyperson: You’ll need at least 4 years of experience as an apprentice and 576 hours of classroom training.
• Contractor: You’ll need 2 years of experience as a licensed journeyman

• Journeypeople: $90 application fee, $120 licensing fee
• Contractors: application and licensing fees are both $150

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

Delaware

• Apprentice: You must enroll in an apprenticeship program or training course.
• Residential: You must have at least 4,000 hours of full-time work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed limited or master electrician. You can substitute direct work experience by completing a Board-approved apprentice program. You’ll also need to pass an exam.
• Journeyperson: If you’ve already completed an apprentice course approved by the Delaware Department of Labor, you don’t have to take an exam to receive your license in Delaware. If you haven’t, you’ll need to pass the electrical exam with at least a 75%.
• Master/Limited: You’ll need to hold a journeyperson license and pass an examination with at least a 75%.

• Apprentice: $79 licensing fee
• Residential: $100 exam fee; $99 licensing fee
• Journeyperson: $100 exam fee; $99 licensing fee
• Master: $187 licensing feeLimited: $114 licensing fee

Licensing board: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners

Florida

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements:No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Georgia

You must have at least 4 years of experience doing contracting under the direct supervision of a licensed contractor, as well as 3 letters of reference from people familiar with your work, one of who must be a licensed contractor.

You’ll also need to submit a background check and pass an examination.

Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors

Hawaii

• Maintenance: 1 year of electrical maintenance experience and 80 hours of classroom experience, or 2 years of on-the-job experience and at least 1,000 hours of hands-on experience.
• Journey Worker: At least 5 years (10,000 hours) of experience and 240 hours of classroom training.
• Journey Worker Industrial: At least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience and 200 hours of classroom training.
• Journey Worker Specialty: At least 3 years (6,000 hours) of experience and 120 hours of classroom training.
• Supervising: At least 4 years of experience as a licensed journey worker.
• Supervising Industrial: At least 3 years of experience as a licensed journey worker industrial.
• Supervising Specialty: At least 2 years of experience as a licensed journey worker specialty.

Hawaii’s license fees change every three years.

• In 2022, 2025, 2028, etc., the fee will be $102
• In 2023, 2026, 2029, etc., the fee will be $204
• In 2024, 2027, 2030, etc., the fee will be $306

Board of Electricians and Plumbers

Idaho

• Apprentice: You must be at least 16 years old to be an apprentice in Idaho. There are 5 levels of apprenticeship you will advance through each year until you can qualify for your journeyman license.
• Journeyman: You must complete 4 years of an apprentice program and 4 years of on-the-job training, or 8 years of on-the-job training.
• Master: You must work as a licensed journeyman for at least 4 years under the direct supervision of an electrical contractor.
• Electrical Contractor: You must be or employ an Idaho licensed master electrician and provide proof of at least $300,000 worth of liability insurance and workers’ compensation.

• Apprentice: $15 application feeJourneyman: $15 exam fee
• Master: $15 exam fee
• Electrical contractor: $15 exam fee; $125 license fee

Idaho Division of Building Safety

Illinois

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Indiana

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Iowa

• Journeyman: You must complete 16,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice.
• Residential: You must work for a state-licensed contractor and pass the residential electrician examination.
• Master: You must work as a licensed journeyman for at least 1 year and pass the electrical master exam.
• Residential Master: You must pass the residential master electrician exam.

• Journeyman: $75 license fee
• Residential: $75 license fee
• Master: $375 license fee
• Residential master: $375 license fee

Iowa Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division

Kansas

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Kentucky

• Electrician: You must have at least 6 years of apprenticeship experience, as well as 576 hours of classroom training.
• Master: You must have at least 8 years of experience, 2 of which must be as a journeyman.
• Electrical Contractor: You must pass the electrical contractor exam and have at least $500,000 worth of general liability and workers’ compensation.

Fees and costs: The application fee is

• $50 for electricians
• $100 for master electricians
• $200 for electrical contractors

Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Electrical Division

Louisiana

• Journeyman: You’ll need at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, as well as 1,000 hours of classroom training. You’ll also need to pass an exam.
• Electrical Contractor: You must provide proof that you have a net worth of at least $10,000, at least $500,000 worth of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation, and pass the state exam.

• Journeyman: $60 license fee
• Electrical Contractor: $125 license fee

Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors

Maine

• Apprentices and Helpers must register with the Board and pay a licensing fee of $25
• Journeymen-in-training must complete an electrical degree with an accredited Maine community college, have at least 2,000 hours of work experience, and pass the journeyman exam.
• Journeymen must complete at least 8,000 hours of apprentice or helper work and 576 hours of classroom training.
• Limited: Requirements will vary based on your area of expertise. Check with the Board for your expertise’s exact requirements.
• Masters must complete at least 4,000 hours of work experience as a journeyman and 576 hours of classroom training.

• Apprentices and helpers: licensing fee of $25, background check fee of $21
• Journeymen-in-training: license fee of $150, SBI report fee of $21
• Journeymen: license fee of $150 ($20 if you’re over 70), SBI Report fee of $21
• Limited: license fee of $150 ($20 if you’re over 70), SBI Report fee of $21
• Master: license fee of $150 ($20 if you’re over 70), SBI Report fee of $21

Licensing board: The State of Maine Electricians’ Examining Board

Maryland

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Massachusetts

• Journeyman: At least 4 years (8,000 hours) of work experience
• Master: At least 1 year as a journeyman
• Systems Technician: At least 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience
• Systems contractor: At least 1 year as a systems technician

• Journeyman: $104 license fee, $226 application and exam fee
• Master: $155 license fee; $276 application and exam fee
• Systems Technician: $104 license fee; $226 application and exam fee
• Systems Contractor: $155 license fee; $226 application and exam fee

Licensing board: Board of State Examiners of Electricians

Michigan

• Journeyman: You must be at least 20 years old and have at least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician. Your experience will be in electrical construction, maintenance of buildings, electrical wiring, or equipment.
• Master: You must be at least 22 years old and have at least 6 years of experience (12,000 hours), 2 of which must be as a journeyman.
• Electrical Contractor: You or a member of your contracting company must be a registered master electrician in the state of Michigan.

• Journeyman: $40 licensing fee
• Master: $50 licensing fee
• Electrical contractor: $300 licensing fee

Veterans are exempt from the initial licensing fees.

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes

Minnesota

• Journeyman: At least 4 years of full-time work experience
• Master: At least 5 years of full-time work experience
• Electrical contractor: You must be or employ a master electrician and carry general liability, bodily injury, and property insurance.

• Journeyman: $50 exam fee
• Master: $50 exam fee
• Electrical contractor: $168 application fee

Department of Labor and Industry

Mississippi

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Missouri

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements:No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Montana

• Journeyman: Must have at least 4 years of experience as an apprentice and pass a written exam.
• Master: Must have at least 5 years of experience, one of which must be as a journeyman, and pass a written exam.
• Limited and Unlimited Electrical Contractor: Must be a licensed master electrician, and show proof of workers’ compensation insurance.

• Journeyman: $240 fee for application by exam, $250 for application by credential
• Master: $240 application fee
• Limited Electrical Contractor: $300 application fee
• Unlimited Electrical Contractor: $300 application fee

Montana Department of Labor and Industry, State Electrical Board

Nebraska

• Journeyman: At least 4 years of experience as an apprentice
• Residential Journeyman: At least 3 years of experience as an apprentice
• Electrical Contractor: Must graduate from a 4-year electrical engineering program and work at least 1 year as a journeyman. You can also apply with 5 years of journeyman experience.

• Journeyman: $60 application fee. The license fee is $25 in even-numbered years and $50 in odd-numbered years.
• Residential Journeyman Wireman: $60 application fee. The license fee is $25 in even-numbered years and $50 in odd-numbered years.
• Electrical Contractor: $125 application fee. The license fee is $125 in even-numbered years and $250 in odd-numbered years.

Nebraska Electrical Division

Nevada

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements:No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

New Hampshire

• Journeymen must have at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and pass an examination
• Masters must have at least 2,000 hours of experience as a journeyman and pass an examination.

All applicants will need to give three references familiar with their work to attest to their expertise and character.

New Hampshire bases their license fees on birth month:

• January, April, July, and October: $50 for journeyman, $90 for master
• March, June, September, and December: $100 for journeyman, $180 for master
• February, May, August, and November: $150 for journeyman, $270 for master

There is a $50 application fee for journeymen and masters.

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Electrician’s Board

New Jersey

• Journeymen must have at least 8,000 hours of work experience and at least 576 hours of classroom training
• Electrical contractors must be at least 21 years old, with at least 5 years of work experience, and pass the electrical contractor exam

• Journeyman: $0 license fee
• Electrical contractor: $100 license fee

The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

New Mexico

Within the journeyman and master licenses, there are a variety of specialty licenses you can apply for, all of which have their requirements. Check with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department for your specialty’s requirements.

Licensing fees will vary based on the specialty license you decide on.

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department

New York

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

North Carolina

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

North Dakota

• Journeymen must have at least 8,000 of work experience
• Class B requires 3,000 hours of experience in farmstead or residential wiring
• Masters must have at least 10,000 hours of work experience, 2,000 hours of which must be as a journeyman

• Journeyman: $25 license fee
• Master: $50 license fee
• Class B: $40 license fee

Military spouses do not need to pay a fee.

North Dakota State Electrical Board

Ohio

You must have at least 5 years of work experience under the direct supervision of an electrical contractor and pass an exam. You’re also required to carry at least $500,000 of contractor liability insurance.

$25 licensing fee

Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board

Oklahoma

• Unlimited Electrical journeyman
• Residential Electrical Journeyman
• Limited Electrical Contractor

• Unlimited: You must have at least 8,000 hours of apprenticeship experience, 4,000 of which must be in commercial or industrial work
• Residential: You must have at least 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience in residential work
• Electrical Contractor: You must have at least 12,000 hours of work experience, 4,000 hours of which must be as an unlimited journeyman.

• Journeyman and Residential: $75 licensing fee
• Electrical contractor: $330 licensing fee

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board

Oregon

• Journeyman: At least 8,000 hours of work experience and 576 hours of classroom training. You must also pass an open book exam.
• Supervising: You must have at least 8,000 hours of experience as a journeyman. You must also pass an open book exam.
• Electrical Contractor: You must be or employ a general supervising electrician.

• Journeyman: $100 licensing fee
• Supervising: $100 licensing fee
• Electrical contractor: $60 exam fee

Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division

Pennsylvania

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements:No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

Rhode Island

There are a variety of specialty areas within the journeyman and electrical contractor licenses. Each will have its requirements, so check with the Rhode Island Division of Workforce Regulations and Safety for details on your specialty.

Fees will vary based on your area of expertise.

Licensing board: Division of Workforce Regulations and Safety, Professional Regulations Unit

South Carolina

Available licenses: No state licensing; check municipalities.

Licensing requirements: No state requirements; check municipalities.

Fees and costs: Fees will vary between municipalities.

Licensing board: No state board; check municipalities.

South Dakota

• Journeyman: Must have at least 4 years of apprenticeship experience under a Class B or electrical contractor
• Class B: Must have at least 2 years of journeyman experience, 1 of which must be in residential and farmstead wiring
• Electrical Contractor: Must have at least 1 year of experience in commercial wiring.

• Journeyman: $60 application fee; $80 license fee
• Class B: $60 application fee; $100 license fee
• Electrical Contractor: $60 application fee; $200 license fee

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Electrical Commission

Tennessee

You will need to pass a business and law exam, provide a financial statement and proof of insurance, and provide a letter of reference from someone familiar with your work and can attest to your character.

$250 licensing fee

Licensing board: Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board of Licensing Contractors

Texas

• All apprentices must register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
• Journeymen must have at least 8,000 hours of work experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician. You must also pass an examination.
• Master electrician must have at least 12,000 hours of work experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician. You must have at least two years of experience as a journeyman and pass an examination

• Apprentice: $20 license fee
• Journeyman: $30 license fee
• Master: $45 license fee

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Utah

• Journeyman: You must have at least 16,000 hours of apprenticeship experience and pass an examination
• Master: You must have at least 4 years experience as a licensed journeyman or a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and 1 year of journeyman experience.

• Journeyman: $116 application fee
• Master: $116 application fee

Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

Vermont

• Journeyman: There are a few different license classifications under the journeyman license that each has its requirements. Check with the Department of Public Safety for more information on your specification.
• Master: You will need at least two years of experience as a journeyman in your specialty.

Fees will vary based on your specialty.

Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety

Virginia

• Journeyman: You will need at least 4 years of on-the-job training, as well as 240 hours of classroom training.
• Master: You will need at least 1 year of experience as a licensed journeyman.

Both journeymen and masters have an exam fee of $130.

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations

Washington

• General Journey: You must have at least 8,000 hours of experience working as an electrical trainee, 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial work. You will also need at least 96 hours of classroom training and pass an exam with a 75%.
• Specialty: There are 14 specialty licenses you can receive, each requiring at least 4,000 hours of work experience and 48 hours of classroom training.

Both General Journey and Specialty Licenses have application fees of $92.50.

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

West Virginia

• Journeyman: You must have at least 1 year of work experience or complete a US Department of Labor approved apprenticeship program or vocational course
• Master: You must have at least 2 years of work experience.
• Specialty: You must have at least 2 years of experience in your specialty area.

All licenses have a $25 exam fee and a $50 license fee.

West Virginia Fire Commission

Wisconsin

• Journeyman: You need at least 4 years (8,000 hours) of work experience.
• Master: You must have at least 1 year of experience as a journeyman.

Both journeymen and masters have a $35 application fee and a $30 exam fee.

Department of Safety and Professional Services

Wyoming

• Journeyman must have at least 4 years of work experience and 576 hours of classroom training. You must also pass an examination.
• Masters must have at least 4 years of experience working as a journeyman.

• Journeyman: $100 licensing fee
• Master: $200 licensing fee

Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety

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