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How to become a licensed electrician in Pennsylvania. Local jurisdictions handle licensing. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Licensing Authority
Individual municipalities (no state licensing board for electricians)
State Reference
No state licensing body for individual electricians
No
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
2 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
local
Notes
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide individual electrician license. Each of PA's 2,562 municipalities maintains its own licensing requirements. Note: PA Dept. of Labor & Industry does issue a statewide Electrical Contractor License (separate from individual electrician licensing). PA Dept. of Labor & Industry (DOLI) issues statewide Electrical Contractor licenses, renewed every 2 years (June 30 even years), 10 CE hours required (5 NEC-related).
Local Jurisdictions Handle Licensing
Regulated by the No state licensing body for individual electricians
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide electrician license. All licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. Requirements, exams, fees, and renewal rules vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department for exact requirements.
Official Title
Apprentice Electrician
Exam Required
No
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Exam Required
No
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
Exam requirements are set by individual municipalities. The information below represents common standards across jurisdictions.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Journeyman Exam
Not Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
ICC (most jurisdictions)
NEC Version
2020 NEC (statewide via 2021 I-Codes adoption)
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedN/A
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
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
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Transfer Details
No statewide reciprocity. Allentown recognizes licenses from Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Kutztown, Reading, Scranton, and State of Connecticut.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Because licensing is handled locally, reciprocity agreements (if any) are between individual municipalities, not statewide.
Pennsylvania has no state-level electrician licensing. Philadelphia has its own licensing program, and other municipalities set their own requirements.
PHILADELPHIA: Electrical Contractor license ONLY — Philadelphia does NOT offer a journeyman license. Issued by Dept. of Licenses & Inspections (L&I). Requires 4 years (8,000 hours) under licensed contractor + 8 hours NFPA 70 coursework within 12 months of applying + ICC exam. Insurance: $500,000 liability + workers' comp + auto. Annual renewal with 8 CE hours. CODE TRANSITION: Permits through June 30, 2026 may use 2017 NEC if contract pre-dates Jan 1, 2026. After July 1, 2026, 2020 NEC required.
PITTSBURGH: Electrical Contractor license ONLY — Pittsburgh does NOT offer a journeyman license. Issued by Dept. of Permits, Licenses & Inspections. Requires 6 years combined classroom + supervised work + ICC Master Electrical exam.
ALLENTOWN: DOES offer Journeyman Electrician license (unlike Philly/Pittsburgh). 4 years experience + local exam. Recognizes licenses from Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Kutztown, Reading, Scranton, and Connecticut.
PA HOME IMPROVEMENT: Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act applies to residential electrical contractors.
STATEWIDE CONTRACTOR LICENSE: PA DOLI issues a statewide Electrical Contractor License (separate from individual electrician licensing). Renewed every 2 years (June 30 even years). 10 CE hours per renewal (5 NEC-related).
Because Pennsylvania does not have state-level electrician licensing. Requirements vary by city and county. Below are requirements for major jurisdictions. Contact your local building department if your city is not listed.
| License Types | Electrical Contractor License — Required for ALL electrical work in Philadelphia, including low-voltage wiring. Philadelphia does NOT offer a separate journeyman license. |
| Licensing Authority | Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) |
| Experience Required | Minimum 4 years employment doing electrical work for a company licensed through a local or state jurisdiction. Completion of 2 years of education in the electrical field equals 1 year of practical experience; education can substitute for up to 2 years of practical experience. Proof via tax records or proof of licensure through a local/state jurisdiction. |
| Exam | Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination administered by Pearson VUE (877-234-6082). Open book. Based on NFPA 70 (NEC) and Philadelphia electrical code. |
| Fees | Verify current application and licensing fees from eCLIPSE portal or L&I. |
| Renewal | Annual renewal. 8 hours of coursework in NFPA 70 required, completed within 12 months before renewal application. Must be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes. Late renewal penalty: 1.5% of license fee per month past due. |
| Insurance | General liability $500,000; Workers' compensation; Automobile liability $300,000. NO EXCEPTIONS. |
| NEC Version | 2020 NEC effective January 1, 2026 (grace period through June 30, 2026 for projects with contracts signed before Jan 1 under 2017 NEC). |
| New for 2026 | Beginning July 1, 2026, contractors installing EV chargers must have EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program) certification on file. |
| Contact | Submit online request to 311 or call 311 (215-686-8686 outside Philadelphia). |
| Apply Via | eCLIPSE online portal |
| Official Source | https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/trade-licenses/get-an-electrical-contractor-license/ |
Philadelphia has some of the most stringent local electrical licensing requirements in the state. There is NO reciprocity — a Philadelphia license is not valid in Allentown or other PA cities, and vice versa. Each municipality requires its own separate license.
| License Types | Electrical Contractor License — Pittsburgh does NOT offer a separate journeyman license. Licensed through the Bureau of Building Inspection. |
| Licensing Authority | City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection |
| Experience Required | 6 years combined classroom + supervised work experience. |
| Exam | ICC Master Electrical exam required. |
| Fees | Verify current fees from Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection. |
| Renewal | Verify renewal cycle from official source. |
Pittsburgh has its own electrical licensing through the Bureau of Building Inspection. Like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh does not offer journeyman licensing — only contractor licenses.
| License Types | Journeyman Electrician — Allentown is one of the PA cities that does offer journeyman licensing |
| Licensing Authority | City of Allentown |
| Experience Required | Verify from city — typical PA pattern is apprenticeship completion plus exam. |
| Exam | Administered by ICC (International Code Council) for Allentown. |
| Fees | Verify current fees from Allentown city government. |
| Renewal | Verify renewal cycle from official source. |
Allentown is one of the few Pennsylvania cities that offers a traditional journeyman electrician license path, making its requirements more typical of states with state-level licensing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Pennsylvania.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#23 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$51,910
25th percentile
Median
$65,400
+5% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$87,670
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
21,860 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+23% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$65,400
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$65,400
Master electrician license + contractor license
$80,290
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: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Official City of Philadelphia licensing page
Accessed 2026-03-22
Electricians Association of Philadelphia
Accessed 2026-03-22
Pennsylvania handles electrician licensing at the local level. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is recommended. All licensing is managed through the No state licensing body for individual electricians.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.