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Electrician
Total cost: $225-$325
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
0 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
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$125.00
Per examination, non-refundable. Exam review fee: $25.
Renewal Fee
Limited: $100/year; Intermediate: $150/year; Unlimited: $200/year; Special Restricted: $100/year
Annual license fee: Limited $100/year, Intermediate $150/year, Unlimited $200/year.
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
North Carolina licenses electrical contractors through the NCBEEC at three main tiers: Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited. Individual journeyman electricians are licensed at the local/municipal level, not by the state board. The NCBEEC also issues several Special Restricted classifications (SP-FA/LV, SP-EL, SP-PH, SP-WP, SP-ES, SP-SP). There is no state-level journeyman or master electrician license.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC)
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
9,000
Total Hours
5
Years
9,000
On-the-Job
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Journeyman Exam
Not Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI (855-746-8173); scheduling at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ncbeec
NEC Version
2020 NEC; the Examinations page lists '2020 Edition' as the study material and the site confirms all Board examinations continue to be based on the 2020 NEC until further notice.
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
Not applicable — NC does not issue a state journeyman license. Passing score for the contractor exam (all tiers) is 70%.%
Passing Score
Retake Policy
Must wait 90 days (3 months) after a failed exam. One exam review permitted at $25 fee; reviews are group sessions held monthly at the Board's office, approximately 4 hours long.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 36/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Electrician Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need an electrician license? Check whether your state requires one.
North Carolina has 2% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 458 residents.
North Carolina has average electricians density relative to population.
North Carolina ranks #33 out of 51 states by electricians per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee Per examination, non-refundable. Exam review fee: $25. | |
Renewal Fee Annual license fee: Limited $100/year, Intermediate $150/year, Unlimited $200/year. | |
Total Initial Fees $125 exam fee + $100-$200 annual license fee depending on classification (Limited/Intermediate/Unlimited). |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year — 'All licenses issued by the Board will expire one (1) year after the date of issuance.'
Renewal Period
8 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100-$200
Annual license fee: Limited $100/year, Intermediate $150/year, Unlimited $200/year. Licenses expired more than 12 months require reactivation with 500 hours of primary experience verification.
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.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our electrician license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Reciprocity agreements with multiple states plus NASCLA accredited exam
Transfer Details
Reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. NASCLA Accredited Electrical Exam also accepted (applicant must still pass NC Business & Law exam).
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.
Moving to North Carolina? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare North Carolina with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
North Carolina uses a tiered contractor licensing system (Limited/Intermediate/Unlimited) based on project dollar value rather than individual electrician credentials. The Statement of Bonding Ability required for Intermediate and Unlimited licenses is notably not a surety bond -- it merely verifies the ability to obtain a performance bond. The NCBEEC has reciprocity with 11 states plus NASCLA. As of 2025, at least half of annual CE hours must be in-person (a stricter requirement than most states). The exam allows a generous 6 hours for 100 questions.
North Carolina licenses electrical contractors (not individual journeyman/master electricians). Individual journeyman licensing is at the local/municipal level.
Three main contractor tiers: Limited (projects up to $60,000, 600V or less), Intermediate (projects up to $150,000, no voltage limit), and Unlimited (no restrictions).
Six Special Restricted classifications: SP-FA/LV (Fire Alarm/Low Voltage), SP-EL (Elevator), SP-PH (Plumbing & Heating), SP-WP (Ground Water Pump), SP-ES (Electric Sign), SP-SP (Swimming Pool).
The 2020 NEC is still used for all Board examinations (confirmed for exams after July 1, 2025).
As of January 1, 2025, at least half of CE hours must be obtained via in-person classroom or seminar attendance.
New qualifiers must complete a free 4-hour Laws and Rules Course conducted by Board staff within 12 months.
Statement of Bonding Ability (not a surety bond) required for Intermediate ($60,000+) and Unlimited ($150,000) classifications.
Workers' compensation required if employing 3 or more individuals.
NCBEEC also accepts the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Exam (applicant must still pass NC Business & Law exam).
Board office: 505 N. Greenfield Pkwy, Suite 100, Garner, NC 27529. Email: office@ncbeec.org.
Electrician Schools in North Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Electrician requirements in nearby states
See how North Carolina compares: Electrician License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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How does North Carolina compare to other states for electrician? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your electrician license →
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Electrician requirements in North Carolina verified against NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC), April 2026.
Primary official source
Accessed 2026-03-19
License types and fees
Accessed 2026-03-19
Exam details and NEC version
Accessed 2026-03-19
CE requirements
Accessed 2026-03-19
Experience requirements by classification
Accessed 2026-03-19
In-person CE requirement rule change
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official PSI handbook for NCBEEC
Accessed 2026-03-19
Contact information
Accessed 2026-03-19
Bonding ability requirement details
Accessed 2026-03-19
NASCLA reciprocity
Accessed 2026-03-19
Moving to North Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Electrician license to North Carolina →
Transfer your Electrician license from North Carolina to: Georgia → | South Carolina → | Tennessee → | Virginia →