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How to become a licensed electrician in Maine. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $250. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Maine Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
91% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 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
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Maine requires state-level electrician licensing through the Electricians' Examining Board under the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The Board has an unusually large number of license categories including Apprentice, Helper, Journeyman-in-Training, Journeyman, Master, Limited, and Senior versions (for electricians over 70 with reduced fees). The Helper license is unique to Maine and allows work under supervision without being in an apprenticeship program. The Limited Electrician license permits work in specific restricted areas. Beginning January 1, 2024, all applications must be submitted online.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Maine Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Official Title
Apprentice Electrician
Experience Required
No prior experience required; must be registered with an approved apprenticeship program
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Experience Required
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.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master Electrician
Experience Required
4,000 hours of service as a journeyman electrician, or at least 12,000 hours of experience in electrical installations
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
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
Prov, Inc.
NEC Version
2023 NEC (effective July 1, 2024)
Journeyman Exam Details
80
Questions
180 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
100
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Fee Includes criminal history background check. Biennial renewal: $50. | |
Journeyman License Fee License fee. Exam application fee of $25 and exam fee of $75 are separate. Senior Journeyman (over 70): $20. | |
Master License Fee License fee. Exam application fee of $25 and exam fee of $75 are separate. Senior Master (over 70): $20. | |
Exam Fee Exam fee paid to Prov, Inc. Separate exam application fee of $25 paid to the Board. | |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal for Journeyman and Master. Apprentice renewal: $50. Late fee: $50 (up to 90 days after expiration). Senior licenses (over 70): $20. | |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman total: $150 license + $25 exam application + $75 exam fee. Does not include apprentice registration ($96) or NEC course costs. |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
15 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$150
Biennial renewal for Journeyman and Master. Apprentice renewal: $50. Late fee: $50.
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
Formal reciprocity with select states
Transfer Details
Maine has formal reciprocity for Journeyman licenses with New Hampshire, Vermont, North Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming. Master electrician reciprocity is limited to New Hampshire and Vermont. The Board shall issue a license to anyone licensed by a reciprocating state who passed a written exam from that state and has been actively engaged in work as an electrician for a minimum of six years.
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.
Maine has an unusually comprehensive set of license categories including the unique Helper Electrician license (for working under supervision without apprenticeship enrollment) and Senior licenses (for electricians over 70 with reduced $20 fees). The state also offers an accelerated path: apprentices who complete an approved program can sit for the journeyman exam after only 4,000 hours instead of the standard 8,000. Maine has broad journeyman reciprocity with six states (NH, VT, ND, ID, OR, WY) but restricts master reciprocity to only NH and VT. A separate 45-hour NEC course is required in addition to the 576-hour apprenticeship classroom requirement.
Maine has an unusually large number of license categories: Apprentice, Helper, Journeyman-in-Training, Journeyman, Master, Limited, and Senior versions (over 70).
The Helper Electrician license is unique to Maine and allows electrical work under supervision without being in an apprenticeship program.
The Senior Electrician licenses (for those over 70) carry a reduced fee of $20 for both initial and renewal.
Maine adopted the 2023 NEC effective July 1, 2024. For 2025, no additional code update is required; for 2026, the 2026 Code Update will be required.
Reciprocity for Journeyman covers six states (NH, VT, ND, ID, OR, WY) but Master reciprocity is limited to only NH and VT.
A licensed apprentice who completes an approved program and 4,000 hours (rather than the standard 8,000) may sit for the journeyman exam early.
Beginning January 1, 2024, all applications must be submitted through the online application system.
Military veterans with qualifying electrical training may receive credit toward licensing. Contact the Board at 207-624-8457 before submitting an application.
A mandatory 45-hour NEC course must be completed within 2 years prior to applying for journeyman or master license.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#19 of 51
Cost
#25 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$62,200
25th percentile
Median
$67,820
+9% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$77,480
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,320 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+12% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$67,820
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$67,820
Master electrician license + contractor license
$75,720
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: Maine Electricians' Examining Board — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Maine Electricians' Examining Board — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Primary official source for ME electrician licensing
Accessed 2026-03-19
License categories and fees
Accessed 2026-03-19
Journeyman requirements and fees
Accessed 2026-03-19
Master requirements and fees
Accessed 2026-03-19
Maine statutory requirements for electrician licensing
Accessed 2026-03-19
NEC code update schedule and renewal details
Accessed 2026-03-19
Maine requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the Maine Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.