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How to become a licensed electrician in Alabama. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $150. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
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37% of data points are verified against official sources. 29 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
2 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Alabama IS a state-licensed state. The AECB licenses both journeyman electricians and electrical contractors (master) at the state level. The state uses 'Electrical Contractor' interchangeably with 'Master Electrician.' Some municipalities may have additional local licensing requirements, but the state license is the primary credential. New AECB administrative rules (Sections 303-X-1 through 303-X-6) became effective February 14, 2026. Alabama does not have a uniform statewide electrical code for all construction — 2020 NEC applies to state-owned buildings via the Division of Construction Management.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB)
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Experience Required
8,000 hours OJT + 576 hours classroom instruction; or 6,000 hours OJT with 2-year technical school
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Electrical Contractor (used interchangeably with Master Electrician)
Experience Required
8,000 hours as journeyman (trade + managerial experience; maintenance hours excluded)
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
576
Classroom
8,000
On-the-Job
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Exam Requirements
Mostly verifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
NEC Version
2020 NEC (enforcement); 2023 NEC (exam basis — conflicting reports)
Journeyman Exam Details
80
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Journeyman License Fee License fee after passing exam. Exam fee is separate ($115). | |
Master License Fee Electrical Contractor license fee after passing exam. Exam fee is separate ($165). | |
Exam Fee Journeyman exam: $115. Electrical Contractor (master) exam: $165. | |
Renewal Fee Journeyman: $25/year. Electrical Contractor (master): $125/year. Annual renewal by December 31. | |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman total: $115 exam + $35 license = $150. Electrical Contractor total: $165 exam + $150 license = $315. |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verifiedAnnual (by December 31)
Renewal Period
14 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$25
Journeyman: $25/year. Electrical Contractor (master): $125/year.
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Reciprocity with select states
Transfer Details
Alabama has reciprocity agreements with Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Alabama is a state-licensed state despite initial assumptions otherwise. The AECB licenses both journeyman and master-level (called 'Electrical Contractor') electricians. Journeymen are explicitly exempt from CE — only Electrical Contractors must complete 14 hours biannually. The state does not have a uniform statewide electrical code; the 2020 NEC only applies to state-owned buildings. The alternative pathway allows 6,000 OJT hours with a 2-year technical school degree instead of the standard 8,000 hours.
CORRECTION TO INITIAL ASSUMPTION: Alabama IS a state-licensed state, not local-only. The AECB licenses both journeyman electricians and electrical contractors (master) at the state level.
Alabama uses the title 'Electrical Contractor' interchangeably with 'Master Electrician' for the higher-tier license.
Journeymen are explicitly exempt from continuing education requirements. Only Electrical Contractors (master) must complete 14 CE hours every 2 years (minimum 7 hours on NEC).
New AECB administrative rules (Sections 303-X-1 through 303-X-6) became effective February 14, 2026.
Alabama does not have a uniform statewide electrical code for all construction — the 2020 NEC applies to state-owned buildings via the Division of Construction Management. Some sources indicate AECB exams may have transitioned to the 2023 NEC.
Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA) has been recognized as a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) by U.S. DOL since March 2020.
No state-level insurance requirement for licensure. Insurance is recommended but not mandated by the AECB.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alabama.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#50 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$44,670
25th percentile
Median
$52,420
-16% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$63,730
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
9,740 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+22% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$52,420
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$52,420
Master electrician license + contractor license
$64,030
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Alabama Electrical Contractors Board — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Alabama Electrical Contractors Board — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Official state agency website
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official state agency — SAA
Accessed 2026-03-19
Third-party guide
Accessed 2026-03-19
Renewal and CE details
Accessed 2026-03-19
Reciprocity details
Accessed 2026-03-19
NEC version information
Accessed 2026-03-19
Third-party guide
Accessed 2026-03-19
Third-party guide
Accessed 2026-03-19
Accessed 2026-03-19
Alabama requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is recommended. All licensing is managed through the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.