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Electrician Licensing
Electrician licensing varies dramatically across the U.S. — 40 states issue statewide licenses while others rely on local jurisdictions. Compare regulation types, experience requirements, exam mandates, and fees for all 50 states and D.C.
51
Jurisdictions
40
State-Licensed
37
Exam Required
$218
Avg Initial Fee
Electrician licensing in the United States falls into four categories: state-level (one license valid statewide), local (each city or county issues its own license), hybrid (state license plus local permits), and none (no licensing requirement, though permits may still be needed).
Most licensed states require a 4-year apprenticeship (approximately 8,000 hours) combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction, followed by a written exam based on the National Electrical Code (NEC). License fees range from under $100 to several hundred dollars.
Use the sortable table below to compare electrician licensing requirements across all jurisdictions. Click any column header to sort, or click a state to view full requirements.
Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step instructions →
| State ▲ | License Type | Experience Required | Exam Required | License Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State | 8,000 hours OJT + 576 hours classroom instruction; or 6,000 hours OJT with 2-year technical school | Yes | $150 |
| Alaska | State | 8,000 hours of experience in the trade. Minimum 6,000 hours must be commercial/industrial; maximum 2,000 hours may be residential. | Yes | $250 |
| Arizona | Hybrid | 4 years (8,000 hours) of journeyman-level electrical experience plus 900 hours classroom instruction required for contractor license (C-11/R-11/CR-11) | No | $720 |
| Arkansas | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $150 |
| California | State | 8,000 hours of on-the-job work for a C-10 electrical contractor, in two or more work areas (General Electrician). Alternative: 4,800 hours for Residential Electrician certification. | Yes | $175 ($75 application + $100 exam) |
| Colorado | State | 8,000 hours (minimum 4 years) of on-the-job experience, including at least 2 years/4,000 hours of commercial and/or industrial work. 288 hours of classroom training required during last 4 years of apprenticeship. | Yes | $240 |
| Connecticut | State | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program (8,000 hours / 4 years) OR at least 4 years of equivalent experience and training with 144 hours/year of classroom instruction | Yes | $155 |
| Delaware | State | 8,000 hours of full-time experience performing electrical work under a licensed master or limited electrician. To receive credit for experience obtained in Delaware after June 30, 2012, must have been licensed as an Apprentice or Journeyperson at the time. | Yes | $303 |
| District of Columbia | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $225 |
| Florida | Hybrid | N/A | No | N/A |
| Georgia | Hybrid | N/A | No | $70 |
| Hawaii | State | 10,000 hours (approximately 5 years) of electrical work experience under supervision of a Journey Worker or Supervising Electrician, plus 240 hours of classroom education. Alternatively, completion of a registered 5-year apprenticeship program. | Yes | $232–$441 |
| Idaho | State | Option A: 4 years of approved electrical apprentice school + 8,000 hours of supervised work experience. Option B: 16,000+ hours of supervised work experience as apprentice. Option C (in-state): 4 years school + 6,000 hours (must work additional 2,000 hours after passing exam before licensure). All options require 576 hours of classroom instruction. | Yes | $130 |
| Illinois | Local | N/A | No | N/A |
| Indiana | Local | N/A | No | N/A |
| Iowa | State | Must have successfully completed a registered apprenticeship program, passed a supervised written journeyman exam with a score of 70 or higher within 24 months of submission, and completed four years of experience as an apprentice electrician. (Iowa Admin Code 481-502.2(6)(a)) | Yes | $162 |
| Kansas | Local | N/A | No | N/A |
| Kentucky | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $125 |
| Louisiana | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $185 |
| Maine | State | At least 8,000 hours worked as a licensed apprentice electrician under direct supervision of a master, journeyman, or limited electrician, plus completion of 576 hours of board-approved apprenticeship study program and a 45-hour course in the current NEC. Alternative: 4,000 hours as a licensed apprentice who completed an approved apprenticeship program may sit for the exam. | Yes | $250 |
| Maryland | State | 4 years of experience under the direction of a licensed master electrician, OR completion of an approved apprenticeship (8,000 hours supervised work + 576 hours pre-licensing education, which waives the exam requirement) | Yes | $275 |
| Massachusetts | State | 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman; 600 hours of Board-approved education; 15-hour Code-Update Class | Yes | $330 |
| Michigan | State | 8,000 hours AND 4 years as an electrical apprentice under supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician. Must be at least 20 years old. | Yes | $140 |
| Minnesota | State | 48 months (8,000 hours) of full-time field experience under a licensed electrician, OR 36 months (7,000 hours) with completion of an approved 2-year post-secondary electrical program. 144 hours classroom training per year of experience. | Yes | $103 |
| Mississippi | Hybrid | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $75 |
| Missouri | Hybrid | N/A | No | N/A |
| Montana | State | 8,000 hours of full-time practical experience in the electrical trade, typically through an apprenticeship program. | Yes | $240 |
| Nebraska | State | 4 years (8,000 hours) of verifiable work experience under a licensed electrical contractor. A 2-year associate degree in electrical technology grants 1-year credit (reducing to 3 years). Less than 4,000 hours in Nebraska results in a 'Restricted' license. | Yes | $110 |
| Nevada | State | 8,000 hours (4 years) of on-the-job electrical work experience under supervision (for local journeyman certification) | No | $1,140 |
| New Hampshire | State | 8,000 hours of practical experience as an apprentice under a licensed journeyman or master electrician, plus 576 hours of electrical schooling (144 hours per year for 4 years). Alternative: 10 years of experience as a journeyman or master electrician licensed in another jurisdiction. | Yes | $150 |
| New Jersey | State | 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction through a state-approved apprenticeship program | No | $100 |
| New Mexico | State | 8,000 hours (4 years) of supervised electrical experience, all within the last 10 years. ER-1 Residential Journeyman requires 4,000 hours (2 years). | Yes | $411-$561 |
| New York | Local | N/A | No | N/A |
| North Carolina | State | N/A | No | $225-$325 |
| North Dakota | State | 8,000 hours of experience (minimum 3 years) as a registered apprentice under supervision of a contracting master or master of record. 2,000 hours credit may be granted for graduates of a 2-year or more electrical school accepted by the Board. | Yes | $25 |
| Ohio | State | N/A | No | N/A |
| Oklahoma | State | 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience in electrical construction while employed by an electrical contractor. 4,000 hours must be in commercial or industrial. 2,000 hours may be satisfied by formal electrical education. Residential Journeyman requires only 4,000 hours (or 3,000 hours + 1,000 hours formal education). | Yes | $167 |
| Oregon | State | 8,000 hours of supervised work experience plus 576 hours of pre-licensing education in electrical theory, Oregon Electrical Code, NEC, and workplace safety | Yes | $100-$200 |
| Pennsylvania | Local | N/A | No | N/A |
| Rhode Island | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $160 |
| South Carolina | Hybrid | N/A | No | $370 |
| South Dakota | State | 4 years (8,000 hours) as a licensed apprentice under employment and supervision of an electrical contractor. Alternative: 2-year AAS degree in electrical trades plus 6,000 hours (3 years) of electrical trade work experience. Experience hours must be while licensed. | Yes | $170 |
| Tennessee | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $160 |
| Texas | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $125 |
| Utah | State | 4-year (minimum 576 classroom hours) electrical apprenticeship education program or competency exam equivalence, plus 6,000 hours of electrical experience as a licensed apprentice. Alternative: 16,000 hours (8 years) verified work experience under a licensed electrician (no education). Residential Journeyman requires 2-year program (288 classroom hours) plus 3,000 hours. | Yes | $90-$105 |
| Vermont | State | 8,000 hours of documented on-the-job electrical experience (generally through apprenticeship) and 576 hours of classroom instruction covering electrical theory, safety, and code requirements. Alternative: verification by Vermont Apprenticeship Council of completed apprenticeship, or equivalent training acceptable to the Board. | Yes | $215 |
| Virginia | State | 8,000 hours OR equivalent combination of education and experience (multiple pathways: associate degree + 2 years, registered apprenticeship completion, military electrical training, and others) | Yes | $190 |
| Washington | State | 8,000 hours, no more than 4,000 of which can be worked in 4,000-hour specialties (i.e., at least 4,000 hours must be in new industrial or commercial installations) | Yes | $268.20 |
| West Virginia | State | Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years) | Yes | $135 |
| Wisconsin | State | Completed an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor. Must pass exam. | Yes | $165 |
| Wyoming | State | 8,000 hours (4 years) of work experience in the electrical wiring industry plus 576 hours (144 hrs/year over 4 years) of classroom instruction from a Dept. of Labor approved program. No more than 75% in any one category (residential/commercial/industrial). Up to 4,000 hours (2 years) credit for accredited school hours exceeding 576. Exemption available with 10 years/20,000 hours experience approved by Chief Electrical Inspector. | Yes | $205 |
No. Electrician licensing varies significantly by state. Some states issue statewide licenses, others delegate licensing to local jurisdictions (cities and counties), and a few have hybrid systems. States without statewide licensing still often require local permits and inspections.
Most states require 8,000 hours (approximately 4 years) of supervised on-the-job training to qualify for a journeyman electrician license. Some states require as few as 4,000 hours, while others may require up to 10,000 hours. Apprenticeship programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on work.
Most states with statewide licensing require electricians to pass a written exam covering the National Electrical Code (NEC), local amendments, and electrical theory. Common exam providers include PSI, Prometric, and state-administered tests. Exams are typically open-book, referencing the current NEC edition.
License reciprocity varies by state. Some states accept out-of-state licenses through endorsement (with reduced requirements), while others require full re-examination. There is no national electrician license, so each state sets its own transfer policies. Check individual state requirements for specific reciprocity agreements.