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How to become a licensed electrician in Colorado. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $240. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Colorado State Electrical Board, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
87% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Colorado licenses electricians statewide through the State Electrical Board under DORA/DPO. Some municipalities (e.g., Denver) impose additional local registration or permit requirements beyond state licensing. The Residential Wireman is an intermediate license between apprentice and journeyman, limited to 1-4 family residential dwellings.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Colorado State Electrical Board, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
Official Title
Registered Apprentice Electrician
Experience Required
No prior experience required; must be enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program and registered with the State Electrical Board before performing any electrical work
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Experience Required
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.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master Electrician
Experience Required
Multiple pathways: (1) Trade school/community college degree + 8,000 hours experience, (2) Electrical engineering degree + 2,000 hours as registered apprentice, or (3) Journeyman license + 2,000 hours in electrical system planning, layout, and supervision.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
288
Classroom
8,000
On-the-Job
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services
NEC Version
2023 NEC
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
90
Questions
270 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
70%
Passing Score
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Fee Paid by employer | |
Journeyman License Fee Combined exam and license fee; license issued immediately upon passing the exam | |
Master License Fee Application/license fee for Master Electrician | |
Renewal Fee 3-year renewal cycle. All licenses expire September 30 of the renewal year. | |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: $240 combined exam/license fee. Does not include apprentice registration ($30) or apprenticeship program costs. |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$120
3-year renewal fee. CE not required for first renewal if license was obtained by passing an exam.
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
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
NERA (National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance)
Transfer Details
Colorado adheres to the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA) bylaws. Applicants must hold a current, active journeyman or master electrician certificate obtained through a state-administered exam, held for at least 1 year in the licensing state.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
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.
Colorado's license cycle is tied to NEC code adoption -- the 3-year renewal cycle coincides with the NEC publication cycle, and all licenses expire on a single fixed date (September 30) rather than an anniversary date. The exam fee and license fee are combined into one payment, and the license is issued immediately upon passing. Colorado also has an unusual 'Residential Wireman' intermediate license between apprentice and journeyman.
Colorado licenses individual electricians at the state level with four tiers: Apprentice, Residential Wireman, Journeyman, and Master.
The Residential Wireman is an intermediate license (4,000 hours / 2 years) for 1-4 family residential dwellings only.
The Electrical Contractor license requires employing or being a Master Electrician, plus $500,000 GL insurance and $20,000 bond.
Denver maintains its own municipal electrical licensing layer in addition to state licensing.
Licenses are issued immediately upon passing the exam; exam fee and license fee are combined into one payment.
Exams are available in Spanish.
The 3-year renewal cycle coincides with the NEC publication cycle, and all licenses expire on a fixed date (September 30) rather than an anniversary date.
CE is not required for first renewal if the license was obtained by passing an exam.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Colorado.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#29 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$48,350
25th percentile
Median
$62,090
At national averageExperienced
$77,440
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
17,140 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+27% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$62,090
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$62,090
Master electrician license + contractor license
$79,160
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
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Colorado State Electrical Board — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Colorado State Electrical Board — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Primary official source for CO electrician licensing
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official applications, fees, and requirements
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official CE requirements
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official state regulations
Accessed 2026-03-19
Reciprocity details
Accessed 2026-03-19
Exam details and NEC version
Accessed 2026-03-19
Insurance and bonding details
Accessed 2026-03-19
Exam format details
Accessed 2026-03-19
Colorado requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the Colorado State Electrical Board, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.