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How to become a licensed electrician in North Carolina. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 9,000 hours. Total initial fees: $225-$325. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
89% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 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
0 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
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 North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC)
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
9,000
Total Hours
5
Years
9,000
On-the-Job
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Journeyman Exam
Not Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services LLC (Phone: 855-746-8173)
NEC Version
2020 NEC (all Board examinations continue to be based on the 2020 NEC until further notice, confirmed for exams after July 1, 2025)
Open Book
Yes
Retake Policy
Must wait 3 months after a failed exam to retake the same classification. One exam review of a failed exam is permitted ($25 fee).
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| 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). |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (annual, renews on anniversary of issue date)
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.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Carolina.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#48 of 51
Cost
#29 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$47,000
25th percentile
Median
$54,070
-13% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$61,380
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
23,660 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+36% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$54,070
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$54,070
Master electrician license + contractor license
$73,310
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: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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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
North Carolina requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 9,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.